The History of West Islip: The Dzus Fastner Co. Inc.

 A drive down Union Boulevard towards or away from the center of town takes you past a manufacturing factory.  It is on the same side as the railroad tracks, across from Union Wine and Liquors. That factory has been a West Islip staple for nearly 80 years, but most people still don't know what the name on the building means or what kind of product is made inside. The mysterious company is not only part of West Islip's history but part of our nation's history as well. It's known as the Dzus Fastener Co. Inc.

The Dzus Fastener Co. Inc. was named after its founder, William Dzus (pronounced "Zeus"), who invented the quarter turn fastener sometime between 1932 and 1935. He invented the quick acting, self-locking device imperative for the aircraft industry, which meant it needed to tolerate enormous vibration, strain and stress. He named his invention the Dzus Fastener and began manufacturing the device by himself out of a tiny garage in West Islip. By 1936, the demand for the fastener became so great he formed the Dzus Fastener Co. Inc. and within two years, he had the factory built at its present location where it still stands today

Dzus's company earned a place in our nation's history because every fastener made during World War II was for the use of the United States Department of Defense. The company also expanded and opened an additional manufacturing factory in England called the Dzus Fastener Europe Limited.  The years between 1939 and 1963 were full of tremendous growth and opportunity for the West Islip based company.

When Dzus died in 1964, the company was taken over by his son, Theodore. Under his guidance, the company continued to thrive, and additional locations where opened in Scotland, France, Germany and Japan. Dzus remained as the company's president until 1987 when he sold it to its British subsidiary, Dzus International Limited. Theodore's son, Theodore Jr., continued to work for the company his Grandfather started even after his father retired.

In 1992, the West Islip headquarters was purchased by Stephen Meshover and Michael R.P. Knight to become the new owners of Dzus Fastener Co. Inc. Between 1994 and 1995, a marketing and sales agent, DFS International, Inc., was appointed and they took over sales and customer support to guarantee the high level of customer service the company was known for around the world.

By this time, the company's production had expanded to include additional items like quick acting latches and panel strips in steel, stainless steel, aluminum and plastic for use in transportation, aerospace, refrigeration, electronics and other items to secure covers, access panels and detachable parts.

By 2000, DFS International, Inc. was purchased by another industrial holding company, so Dzus Fastener Inc. elected to sever their ties to the holding company. However, in doing so, they lost the rights to the name of their original owner. So the company became known as DFCI Solutions, Inc. which is what they are today. Product manufacturing continues at the West Islip location, while sales and customer assistance is done in their Orlando office.

"Most people do not understand what it meant to be a company from Long Island or New York back when it first started or even today," said Olivia Marie, the vice president of DFCI Solutions Inc. and 34-year employee of the company.   "We are very proud to continue to manufacture right here in West Islip since our founder started the corporation in January 1936. We are a small business, under 50 people, but we are proud to be a part of this community."

Although the company lost the rights to its founder's name, it did not lose the right to the company's legacy. With the original name still above the front door of the building, the company formerly known as Dzus Fastener Co. Inc. continues to be a part of West Islip's history today.

This week's trivia question: What street in West Islip was the garage located on where William Dzus first operated his business? Check next week's column for the answer.

 The answer to last week's question is: William Nicoll gave the Town of Islip its name. He named it to honor the place he was originally from: Islip, England.