GK marks 65 years in business

Crystal Lake, Illinois-based vibratory equipment manufacturer and systems integrator General Kinematics Corp. (GK) has announced the celebration of its 65th anniversary in business this September.

General Kinematics was founded in 1960 by Al Musschoot “as a small storefront” business in Barrington, Illinois, says the firm.

Now, GK describes itself as a global corporation headquartered in a 262,000-square-foot facility in Crystal Lake. Globally, it has more than 300 employees operating from Crystal Lake and seven satellite offices and a family of five brands.

The company’s equipment is used in numerous recycling subsectors, including in conveying and sorting applications at auto shredding plants, concrete crushing facilities and at mixed C&D material recovery facilities (MRFs).

“My grandfather founded General Kinematics with a vision to solve tough material handling challenges others couldn’t through innovation,” says Thomas Musschoot, third-generation CEO of the company.

“I’m filled with immense pride seeing how far we’ve come since that small storefront in Barrington,” continues Musschoot. “To our employees, customers and partners who have been part of this journey, thank you for your trust, dedication and commitment to excellence. I’m looking forward to another 65 years of continued growth.”

Remarks GK Chief Revenue Officer Jim Egan, “As we celebrate this milestone, I’m reminded that our success has always been driven by the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our people to deliver results. I’m confident that the passion and talent of our employees will continue to drive innovation and strengthen the trust our customers place in us.”

As of 2025, GK says its equipment line includes vibratory materials handling and processing equipment and that more than 50,000 GK units have been installed around the world.