Founded in 1950 by Dayton T. Brown, Sr. and George E. Mole in Copiague, Long Island, Dayton T. Brown, Inc. (DTB) began with a mission to manufacture aircraft parts for the Korean War. Initially named Brown & Mole, Inc., the company operated out of a 16,000-square-foot facility using surplus WWII machinery. Its first major contract involved producing 500 aluminum Searchlite Housings for American Bosch Arma Company.
Dayton T. Brown, Sr., an M.I.T. graduate and pioneer in aviation, brought with him an impressive portfolio of aircraft designs, including the Brewster Buffalo—the first U.S. Navy fighter to exceed 300 mph—and multiple post-war designs at Grumman. His vision and expertise laid a strong foundation for the company. Upon his passing in 1978, leadership passed to his son, Dayton T. Brown, Jr., who had joined the company in 1951 and still serves as Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded into a high-tech, multi-divisional enterprise specializing in engineering, testing, logistics, publications, and mission systems.
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In response to reliability concerns during the Korean War, DTB established a Testing Laboratory in 1952, focusing on military equipment. The Manufacturing Division soon expanded to produce parts for IBM and other commercial clients. The company was renamed Dayton T. Brown, Inc. in 1954 and launched the Truck Body Division, which it sold in 1961 to focus on core services.
A major milestone came in 1958 with the purchase of 27 acres in Bohemia, Long Island. By 1967, all operations had consolidated there, with multiple facilities supporting manufacturing and testing. In 1973, the Technical Publications Division was created, and throughout the 1980s, the company invested heavily in technology including presses, CAD systems, and advanced test equipment.
DTB achieved major successes in the 1990s, securing key contracts like the John Deere technical manuals (1991) and the Navy Test Stand T-10 (1993). The company continued to grow with new facilities in Georgia, Delaware, and Medford, Long Island. It expanded capabilities with upgrades to testing infrastructure, including vibration systems, environmental chambers, and a wind blast facility.
In the 2000s, DTB reinforced its role in aerospace and defense. Notably, it tested the mechanical arm used on NASA’s Mars rover “Spirit.” The company also made strategic shifts, closing its Manufacturing Division in 2008 to focus on expanding the Engineering & Test Division, which now includes a 100-meter firing range for ballistics testing.
By 2010, DTB had grown to nearly 300 employees across 290,000 square feet. It had become one of the largest independent test labs in the U.S., recognized for both engineering excellence and technical publications.
From 2020 to 2025, the company weathered the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting local hospitals and expanding capabilities. DTB launched a Mission Systems division and secured major contracts like the $23 million Special Missions Mobile Systems award and the Next Generation Interceptor Program. As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, Dayton T. Brown, Inc. continues to evolve, innovate, and expand, driving progress in aerospace, defense, and emerging markets like eVTOL.
