Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the Xbox One, an entertainment console meant to be the one system households will need for games, television, movies and other entertainment.Mark Deister is celebrating half a century – 50 years – with Deister Machine Co. The Fort Wayne businessman is president, treasurer, co-CEO and co-owner with his cousin, Irwin Deister Jr.
Irwin Deister marked his 60th anniversary with the company last year. Their grandfather, Emil Deister, founded Deister Machine in 1912.
The company makes vibrating screens – equipment used to separate different sizes of gravel, sand, stone and coal.
The machines, which range in size from 2,000 pounds to 75,000 pounds, are used by the mining and quarry industries.
The cousins have run the company together since 1988. They credit their success to treating each other and their employees with respect. They have also divided responsibilities so neither is the other’s boss: Mark oversees production, engineering, parts and service, and Irwin does marketing, administration and everyday finances.
Mark Deister, who is in his mid-70s, plans to back off from work “a little bit” at age 95. The co-CEO travels internationally to generate business orders and to spread his Christian faith.
