Randolph and Baldwin started in 1941 under the name Harris, Randolph and Baldwin. Our primary focus was printing and the repair and maintenance of printing machinery. This focus was radically changed with the onset of World War II and a dedicated effort to utilize machinery for the war effort at hand. In June 1942, we received our first defense related contract from the Submarine Signal Company on Atlantic Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts to manufacture in line condensation separators. The end of the war brought about a downturn in contracts coupled with an increase in competition. Raytheon acquired the Submarine Signal Company and moved many of its key personnel to Newton, Massachusetts. Steve Harris left the company to re-establish a printing operation, and Paul Randolph and K. Baldwin relocated to Felton Street in Waltham, Massachusetts.
The success had with the Submarine Signal Company and subsequent contracts opened the door for solid manufacturing partnership with Raytheon Company. Randolph and Baldwin worked around the clock at Raytheon’s direction in producing over 685 separate items for the original Hawk Missile, many of which are still inventoried at the current Ayer, Massachusetts facility.
In 1957, Randolph and Baldwin was chosen as one of three recipients to receive the “Presidents Award”, presented by Charles F. Adams, for being “instrumental in the development and successful deployment of the Hawk Missile”. To this day Randolph and Baldwin continues to supply Hawk Missile spares.
The late sixties led to the development of SAM-D and its successful engagement in 1975 of a drone at the White Sands Missile Range. In 1978, Thomas Phillips, the CEO of Raytheon, presented Randolph and Baldwin with “The Supplier of the Year” award for our efforts in the successful development of the Patriot Missile.
In 1985, Randolph and Baldwin broke ground on a new facility on 10 acres in Ayer, Massachusetts, where we are headquartered today. Our product line has expanded significantly in the years, but it still boasts of a rapid and ready inventory of over 16,000 separate line items available in many cases for immediate shipment. Our 70+ year history is based on the challenges necessary to help our war fighters be both safe and successful in their mission.
