W. L. Gore & Associates is celebrating 50 years of innovation in 2008. Gore, which began in 1958 as a wire and cable manufacturer, is now a multi-billion dollar global leader in the fabrics, medical, industrial and electronic products markets.

    Perhaps best known for its GORE-TEX(R) fabrics and ELIXIR(R) guitar strings, Gore manufactures thousands of products and employs more than 8,000 associates in 45 facilities around the world. Despite its tremendous growth over the past 50 years, the enterprise is deeply tied to its roots and the unique business practices established a half-century ago by the
late Wilbert L. "Bill" and Genevieve Gore.

    "Our 50th anniversary is an ideal time to reflect on the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Bill and Vieve, and the principles on which this enterprise was founded," company president and CEO Terri Kelly said. "Their dedication, passion and commitment to excellence created a culture that fosters creativity, and a company that prides itself in providing unique, highly valuable products for our customers."

    W. L. Gore & Associates' modest beginnings date back to January 1, 1958, when Bill and Vieve celebrated the New Year -- and their 23rd wedding anniversary -- by launching a business in the basement of their home. With five children to support, Bill had surprised many by leaving behind a successful 12-year career as a chemist with the DuPont Company to explore new uses for the synthetic material polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

    In the company's early years, Gore discovered how to apply PTFE tape to insulate wire and cables. These products were in high demand by the mainframe manufacturers of a fledgling computer industry. This successful venture, along with others like it, sparked the company's growth from a modest household business to an international enterprise. However, it wasn't until 1969 -- when Bill and Vieve's oldest son, Bob, found a way to expand PTFE -- that the company began to fully realize its potential.

    With its unique chemical properties, expanded PTFE (ePTFE) opened up a whole new world of product application possibilities for the enterprise, including windproof, waterproof and breathable fabrics; life-enhancing cardiovascular devices; energy-efficient fuel cell assemblies; pollution- reducing filtration systems; and much more.

    Today, W. L. Gore & Associates is recognized as often for its unique culture as for its innovative products. With the goal of fostering creativity and personal responsibility, the company has evolved with a lattice management structure driven by direct, person-to-person communication. Decisions are made based on knowledge and experience, rather than by title or particular position. And all associates are encouraged to grow in knowledge, skill and responsibility and to make their own commitments.

    With its pioneering corporate culture and market-leading products, W. L. Gore & Associates has been cited in every selection of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" since the list began in 1984, and the enterprise has received similar honors in Europe.

    For Bob Gore -- chairman of the company's board of directors since 1986 -- it is amazing to see how much the company has accomplished since its inception in his childhood home.

    "Today, I can say with confidence that we have surpassed even my parents' wildest dreams," Gore said. "We have created thousands of valuable, life enhancing products, achieved enviable growth, and have been recognized around the world as a great workplace. I am tremendously proud of the associates' accomplishments, enthusiasm and creativity, as I know my parents would be."

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