DHI COMPUTING SERVICE, INC. CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
DHI recently celebrated 50 years of service in the data computing industry.
"I’m proud of what’s been accomplished in this company," said President/CEO Lynn Crandall during a celebratory address on Thursday, July 1, 2004. "We’ve come a long way."
DHI was founded by Lynn’s father, Bliss, in 1954 to mechanically tabulate data for managing dairy cattle. It began as a small family business that operated from the basement of the Crandall home in Logan, Utah. Now, 50 years later, the company resides in a multi-building facility in Provo, employs over 230 people, and serves a diverse clientele with customers in the dairy, finance, and healthcare industries.
DHI kicked off its 50-year celebration with a company party at a Provo Angels game. Lynn had the honor of throwing the game’s first pitch. After consulting the catcher, Lynn chose and perfectly executed a "high and away." (He contends "things might have been different" had he been able to properly stand on the mound.)
The company continued festivities by holding an outdoor, commemorative meeting under an awning tent. Provo Mayor Lewis Billings presented DHI with an official proclamation that states the company is the "oldest computer company in the state of Utah." He commended DHI for providing Provo city with "meaningful service."
In their speeches, Lynn and his brother Ken honored their parents. Bliss and Mildred Crandall dedicated their lives to building DHI. They led by example, always exemplifying positive attitudes and expressing kind, encouraging sentiments to employees.
Lynn also provided a brief company history during his address. At one point, Bliss almost forewent starting DHI when he discovered the U.S. government was also planning to invent a means of mechanically tabulating data. He went home and called IBM to cancel his equipment order. IBM refused to cancel the order, noting the equipment had already been shipped.
"We were competing against the U.S. government," said Lynn, "and in this one situation, we won the battle."
During the company’s 50 years of service, DHI has done more than enhance milk production for dairy cows: it has helped technology become an integral part of life.
"When dad founded this company," said Ken, "he didn’t know what it would become."
Now, 50 years later, DHI has become a successful business dedicated to serving clients by providing them with superior products and services. It has also become a legacy that will live on for many more years to come.
