TIMELINE

In 1960, Empire began as a one-man operation in a humble garage in Wisconsin. Over the decades, Founder James Brush took his fledgling company to soaring heights. Empire is currently located on 170 acres in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and employs over 300 employees, and our facilities have expanded to encompass over 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

With our expansive history in printing, we've put together a timeline of Empire Screen Printing. With it are a few landmarks in United States history for reference. To view more details on our green commitment, please visit our Go Green page, and take a look at our Awards page too.

2010s

2019 — Avengers: Endgame sets records, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide on opening weekend.

2018 — Empire expands capabilities with the Graphium.

2017 — "The Great American Eclipse" was visible across the entire United States.

2017 — Empire converts a 6-color press into a UV LED 12-color Legacy press.

2016 — Empire wins the Family Business of the Year award.

2011 — Empire announces sustainable UV LED technology with the Kammann K-61 Eco-Press.

2010 — Apple announces the iPad.

2010 — Empire hosts the first National Sales Meeting.

2000s

2008 — Empire has 6-color inline printing.

2007 — Empire moves into the POP market.

2007 — Reality television captivates the country.

2006 — Empire adds digital cutting and routing.

2006 — Empire breaks ground on 11,800 square foot addition.

2003 — Empire enters the aircraft market.

2003 — Music file sharing services and personal audio players entice consumers.

1990s

1998 — Flexographic printing is introduced at Empire.

1997 — Seinfeld becomes the most popular television sitcom of the decade.

1997 — The movie Titanic is a hit, raking in the highest box office profits at the time.

1995 — Empire adds doming to its product line.

1994 — Empire enters the electronic market.

1993 — Empire adds laser cutting to its capabilities.

1992 — Empire's art department goes digital with the addition of its first Mac.

1980s

1989 — The Berlin Wall falls.

1987 — The first Children's Miracle Network card is printed at Empire.

1985 — Astronaut Dr. Loren Acton tours Empire and La Crosse. Empire also produces its first NASA decal.

1983 — A past look at Empire's manufacturing facility.

1982 — Time Magazine names the personal computer its "Man of the Year."

1982 — Empire branches into the exercise equipment market.

1981 — Cable television network spawns the music video industry with MTV.

1970s

1977 — Star Wars hits theaters for the first time.

1977 — The microwave becomes a mass market consumer product

1975 — Empire completes new corporate headquarters.

1974 — Empire introduces the first Brush-Cals..

1974 — Disco influences fashion and culture.

1974 — Empire produces decals for the toy market.

1973 — Empire moves into the appliance market.

1960s

1969 — Man lands on the moon.

1967 — Empire moves to its current location on Marco Road. Early customers include Amoco, Sears, Case, and Bunn-O-Matic.

1966 — The Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl I.

1965 — Empire expands into the agricultural market.

1964 — The Beatles come to America.

1960 — Empire's first customer is Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning.

1960 — James A. Brush starts his new company: Empire Screen Printing. Empire's first production facility opens in his garage.

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