June 9th, 2026
73 Years of Solving Problems for Molders
June 23rd marks National Family Owned & Operated Businesses Day, dedicated to recognizing companies that continue to grow through multiple generations. While family-owned businesses make up a significant portion of the economy, only a small percentage make it beyond a few decades.
With that in mind, reaching 73 years is exceptionally rare. For Slide Products, achieving this milestone was never about chasing trends or becoming the biggest name in the room. It came from solving real problems for molders, building lasting relationships and continuously adapting to an industry that never stops moving.
Problem Solvers Since Day One
Most companies don’t make it a decade, but we’ve made it into our eighth.
Back in 1953, plastics and injection molding were still in their early stages. Product options for molders were limited and processors constantly struggled with parts sticking inside molds. This was a major detriment since it tended to slow down production, causing unnecessary downtime and hurting profitability.
While selling flat stock steel, Slide’s founder Percy Harms regularly worked around molders and kept hearing the same complaint. He then realized that there had to be a better way to release parts. Meanwhile, Percy’s cousin was working in the expanding aerosol market, which gave Harms the notion to put silicone oil into a spray can so that they could test this idea out.
Proven to be wildly successful, that simple formulation became Slide’s first mold release product. What started as solving one production problem quickly evolved into something much larger. Percy began expanding the aerosol side of his business while staying close to those people who helped shape its foundation from inception.
Ten years later, sons Jim and Henry Harms joined the company, along with chemist Jan van der Graaf. This inventive group transformed what was once a small operation into a growing manufacturing powerhouse with a concentrated focus on plastics.
That same sense of connection still exists within Slide’s operations today. President Aaron Gibson has been with the company for over 30 years, beginning on the production line before working through multiple roles. Today, his two sons also work at Slide, helping carry on the next generation of enthusiastic growth.
Growing Alongside the Industry
Over the decades, plastic injection molding changed dramatically. Manufacturing operations became faster, tooling more advanced and customer expectations more demanding.
With all these new innovations, many companies disappeared, but Slide endured with its core philosophy of creating practical products to help molders solve issues and operate more efficiently.
In 1974, the company relocated to Wheeling, Illinois and began making Slide products in-house. While the business explored opportunities with other industries over the years, concentration on plastic processors and tool builders has never changed.
That consistency is what makes Slide stand out. The longest lasting companies tend to follow the same pattern of staying disciplined, transforming where needed and pledging to build confidence through an honest approach.
Former President and current Chief Strategist Michael Muth helped guide Slide Products through the many years of industry change while always emphasizing the importance of strong customer relationships, innovation and acclimating to the ever-changing needs of molders.
What Carried Us Through 73 Years and Counting
Most businesses don’t fail because of one big mistake, it’s usually because they slowly lose direction, overextend themselves or can’t adjust. Over the years, Slide remained committed to the principles that supported our accomplishments:
Listening to Customers
Slide’s products stem from actual challenges experienced during manufacturing. We are built around solving real production issues rather than taking a “band-aid” approach.
Long-Term Relationships
Whether it’s a customer, distributor or employee, strong partnerships have always been a key part of our business. In all sectors, trust matters – especially when downtime, quality and efficiency are on the line.
Such dedication to relationships extends far beyond ownership. Factory representatives like Jeff Lewis have spent decades helping customers overcome challenges firsthand, while building solid alliances throughout the industry.
Continuous Innovation
Plastics injection molding looks nothing like it did in 1953. Regulations, materials, sustainability and performance expectations continue to evolve. Staying viable requires constant improvement without losing sight of what built success in the first place.
Generationally Built
One of the biggest roadblocks many companies face is leadership transition. Maintaining continuity across multiple generations requires more than industry knowledge – it’s preserving values, culture and reliability along the journey.
Today, Slide Products operates as a third-generation family-run company. The dependability of our team brings stability to our everyday operations. Customers know who they are working with, distributors understand their priorities and employees recognize the quality standards needed for continued success. That is the kind of excellence that can’t build overnight.
From a garage in 1953 to a full in-house facility today, Slide Products continues to follow the same principles: Solve problems. Support customers. Keep improving.
We are proud to celebrate National Family Owned and Operated Businesses Day by reflecting on our history while looking ahead to the opportunities and aspirations of the next generation.
