The groundwork for Descher Automation was laid at the turn of the 21st century as Jim Schaefer began contract automation work for North Carolina manufacturing firms. Previously he held engineering positions in manufacturing ranging from heavy stamping and mold fabrication in Southwestern Virginia to automotive electronics in Eastern North Carolina. Over the next several years, Jim and his team of associates did custom design, controls integration, and light fabrication work for Black & Decker, Stanadyne, and Fenner Drive, and other companies.

 

Eventually, along with the rapid changes in the United States economy (and North Carolina based manufacturing in particular), the team ceased formal solicitation of contract work and took employment with established automation firms, continuing to build their technical skills and expertise in custom machine building.

 

In early 2008, Descher Automation was reconstituted as a formal entity to leverage the experience of its Principals and the increasing availability of price-conscious technology in support of the ever-challenging manufacturing sector. Moving quickly out of the garage, Descher established an office in Raleigh, North Carolina, very near to North Carolina State University. Working with local fabrication partners, Descher quickly picked up where it left off in offering top-tier custom automation services to a variety of firms in the Mid-Atlantic region.