WHere we started
Our service to the community dates back to 1924 when they roots of this great organization were planted. By the mid 1950’s the company was led by Duke Haldeman and Jack Homme, two visionaries committed to building up strong communities across healthcare and athletic facilities centering in academic environments. Renamed to H2I Group in 2019, our Minneapolis based company now has 18 offices across the county. Our work includes notable colleges and universities such as Denver Veterans Administration Hospital, Plano Sports Authority, Cherokee Nation Osteopathic Building, Cedar Point Sports Center, and hundreds of high schools across the country.
rpe Laser
Since 1992, RPE Laser has filled a void in the engraving industry with unique printing solutions, precision engraving and highly innovative UV LED technology for brilliant imagery and communication. Clients range from major corporations to small engraving shops. RPE Laser was acquired by the H2I Group in January of 2021. “When I realized it was time to retire, I knew that H2I Group would be the perfect partner to take over my valuable book of business. Many of my customers have become lifelong friends. I know H2I Group will keep and grow those relationships,” shares RPE Laser founder John Volkmar. “What John has built here, as one-man operation, is incredibly impressive. We are honored to carry his legacy into our future,” says Dan Moran. Business for RPE laser has transitioned to John Weinberger. Please click below for more information.
Knight Athletics
Knight Athletics Inc., a manufacturers distributor and minority business enterprise, was founded in 2006 by Toby and Marianne Knight. Knight Athletics strived to provide the best value to all customers by combining top-quality manufacturers with the best service in the industry.
H2I Group acquired Knight Athletics in 2021. This merger allowed H2I Group to grow deeper relationships and broader services across the great valley. The Pittsburgh office continues to service athletic facilities, auditoriums, and theaters in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. They offer installation and maintenance, along with product education and training to architects, owners, and contractors.
paton Group
In an effort to extend our passion to serve more schools, research labs and industry needs with technical products and STEM solutions, H2I Group acquired The Paton Group in 2019.
Paton Group is a Value-Added Reseller 100% focused on education
technology in areas of design, prototyping, advanced manufacturing
and fabrication serving institutions in CA, NV & HI. Our products include industry-leading manufacturers of CAD/CAM Software, CNC mills & lathes, laser engravers, robotics, reverse engineering/CMM and 3D printers. Available with each product are project-based curriculum and certification options to further enhance the value of the purchase and the success of users. With over 28 years of experience, our continued mission is to provide “real world” experience of cutting-edge technology to the classroom. We look forward to creating the ultimate design/fab lab for you and your students.
Dow Diversified
The founder and President of Dow Diversified, Dean Dow, had a vision in 1981 which was to provide the highest quality products and service to the laboratory marketplace with customer satisfaction as the primary mission. This philosophy has provided customers throughout the United States with state-of-the-art laboratories for over 30 years.
Their expertise is in design and installation of laboratory casework and equipment. They have proudly assisted in designing and building some of the largest and most complex laboratories in the United States.
NexLab Design
NexLab Design, founded in 2004 by Chris O’Neal, is a full-service laboratory casework and equipment dealer. Services include design, budgeting, custom specifications, site coordination, installation, training, testing, certifications, and support. The company was acquired in 2020 by H2I Group, says Chairman Paul Fedje, “NexLab is a great fit culturally with H2I group and our ESOP family. Their people and their relationships with customers throughout the southeast will be a big addition to our team.” O’Neal was thrilled to partner with H2I Group recognizing the alignment with the leadership values, and opportunity to join a thriving ESOP culture. By joining H2I Group, NexLab customers benefit from nationwide support for their solution-based products and services. H2I Group gains an experienced team of laboratory specialists with deep passion and understanding for the educational, healthcare, research, and institutional marketplace.
IDEA: Iowa direct
Iowa Direct Equipment & Appraisal began in 1994 with the vision to provide honest, reliable service to schools and institutions who use capital equipment in their facilities that require ongoing maintenance, repair, and replacement. We still have that clear vision today. Our philosophy is to partner with our customers to help them improve safety and performance of their equipment while reducing the cost to own and maintain their facilities. We began providing services for bleachers, auditorium seating, athletic flooring, athletic equipment, and scoreboards in athletic facilities throughout the Midwest. Today, we also help our customers design, source, and install their equipment
hicks-ashby
In 1948 a law was passed to keep kids in school three years longer, until they were age 15. This change instantly drove the need to expand classrooms and furnishings. A demand that prompted Jerry Hicks and Warren Ashby to found Hicks-Ashby Company, a school supplies and equipment dealer. The sales force traveled the entire states of Kansas and Missouri with great success. In 2014, Hicks Ashby merged with Haldeman Homme, now H2I Group, as two great companies with strong family values and a passion for elevating community through education. With offices nationwide, H2I Group now offers Hicks Ashby clients strong engineering and project management, larger construction packages, cost savings as well as the financial strength to manage large construction projects. Look to this team for school furnishings including school library supplies such as shelving, gorgeous millwork, seating, and tables.
academic specialties
Dan Moran founded Academic Specialties Texas in 2003, selling athletic products like bleachers and lockers. Academic Specialties was acquired by H2I Group in 2014.
Anderson Ladd
Since 1949, Anderson Ladd remains one of the USA’s largest hardwood flooring, weight room flooring, track flooring, and athletic flooring contractors. We offer design and installation of new athletic flooring and athletic equipment. Furthermore, we help service and maintain flooring, bleachers, scoreboards, and all types of athletic equipment. Our scope of work includes all facilities such as: gymnasiums, rec centers, indoor and outdoor tracks, weight rooms, wrestling rooms, dance floors, stage floors, commercial, and residential floors. Now owned by H2I Group, we strive to help you have a beautiful, safe, and high-performance facility. We listen to your goals first, then make recommendations based on our decades of experience with safety, athletic performance, durability, maintenance, and budget planning.
