Derita Precision Machine Company was founded in 1955, by Mr. Bert Dennis Butts. Stemming from a long heritage of blacksmiths, Bert gained over 20 years of machining experience before he started this company. He, a few other employees, and later his son, worked out of a small brick building just a few miles from downtown Charlotte. The company specialized in developing and producing a wide variety of products for the textile industry.  In the spring of 1971, he moved the company to the 6.5 acre site where DPMC stands today. By the time he passed away in 1983, B.D. Butts had thoroughly instilled a company-wide commitment to provide the highest quality of service possible to it's customers.  His son, Dennis Butts, took over as president of the company after his father's death. At that time, the company's forte was turning parts on it's 6 automatic lathes which were programmed by placing pins in the holes of a programming pegboard, and setting toggle switches and hydraulic valves. To increase production capabilities, Dennis purchased his first CNC, a Miyano BNC-34 2-axis lathe, in 1984.  The high production gains realized by that machine led to the purchase of additional CNC machines and support equipment. To supplement this growth, Dennis began a focused Quality Improvement program with heavy emphasis on integrating computers into Derita’s manufacturing processes.