1979
D&K Custom Machine Design gets its start with the introduction of the Accu I, the first automated cutter for the two-side thermal lamination process. Automation has finally been brought to the thermal laminating industry. We occupy one small building in Elk Grove Village, IL.

1981
D&K's most significant contribution completely revolutionized the industry when they introduced the first affordable one-side thermal laminator – the System 27. Prior to its successful introduction, industry professionals said it couldn't be done because of the curl associated with laminating on only one side of the sheet. D&K's patented curl device makes it all work.

1982
The first of many patents is issued - this one for the “flying Knife” blade on the Accu III, one-side separator.

1984
First extrusion line installed at D&K. Finding the various film companies' quality and performance irregular, D&K International was established to expand into the manufacturing of our film, allowing for control of production and significantly increased levels of quality.

1985
300th one-side laminator installed. We now occupy two buildings in Elk Grove Village, IL.

Not content to dominate the one-side thermal market, D&K carves its niche in the two-side market as well, introducing the Double-Koteﾮ system.

The patent for D&K's proprietary de-curling mechanism – which allows for successful on-side lamination with no curl – is issued.

1987
Film business grows; second extrusion coating line installed. D&K offers custom film slitting at no extra charge, redefining industry standards. No longer are customers forced to conform to standard size rolls. We now occupy three buildings in Elk Grove Village.

D&K Europe is established in Redditch, England, offering film converting and equipment sales and service to all of Europe and the Middle East.

1989
Our 10th anniversary. 100th D&K cutter sold..

1990
Third extrusion coating line installed; we're now producing over half a million rolls of film per year. .

1993
We open film warehouses in the southeast and southwest, vastly improving product availability and delivery times to coastal customers.

Laminex, Inc. is acquired by D&K. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company continues its presence as an industry leader in the manufacturing of photo/video ID products, card fabrication, and pouch/AV laminators and lamination accessories.

1994
Revolutionary NT Roller introduced - coated with D&K's DuraKote" and heated without oil or water, the roller redefines the way the industry laminates.

1995
We're now producing over a million rolls of film per year. Our film production capabilities increase again; this time by a third. More expansion is expected soon. Due to ongoing growth, we now occupy five buildings in Elk Grove Village.

Laminex acquires Datacode Systems, further enhancing the Laminex ID product line. A major card fabricator, Laminex designs and produces a full range of conventional and computer-compatible ID cards, including proximity, mag stripe, and Wiegand wire.

1997
Opened a film warehouse in Dallas. Our fifth extrusion line is installed. We also introduced the revolutionary System 3215.

Introduced the revolutionary System 3210.

1998
We now occupy six buildings in Elk Grove Village, IL. Producing 1.25 million rolls of film.

1999
Introduction of Venture Coating Technologies – a new pressure sensitive manufacturer. VCT, under the expression" brand name manufactures pressure sensitive laminates, mounting adhesives, thermal laminates, heat-assist laminates, and specialty films. VCT manufacturing facilities are located in Janesville, Wisconsin. The sales office is located in Elk Grove Village, IL.

Closed our Atlanta warehouse.

2001
Closed our Sparks, Nevada warehouse and opened one in Tustin, California. This location better serves our West Coast customers.

Sold our Photo ID Division, Laminex to ID Shop, Inc., Greenwood, South Carolina.

2002
Introduced SuperStick®, a revolutionary new film designed specifically for the digital/on demand marketplace. SuperStick" will adhere to and enhance most new printing technologies, including Xerox, Canon, Xeikon, and more.

2003
D&K is celebrating their 25th year this year!

Introduced the System 2760 machine and the Expression" 42" Pro machine. The System 2760 is a one-sided laminating system specifically designed for todays on demand, short-run jobs. The Expression" 42" Pro is a versatile and operator friendly laminator featuring heated, turning rollers which can accommodate a broad range of laminating films – including pressure sensitive.

2004
Venture Coating Technologies announced that it has changed its name to D&K Coating Technologies. A sister company of D&K Group, Inc., Venture Coating Technologies entered the wide format, digital marketplace in 1999 as a custom coater and manufacturer of pressure sensitive over laminates, mounting adhesives and specialty films.

2005
Introduced new line of Wide Format equipment including the EXP 42 Pouch, EXP 42 Plus, EXP 62 Plus, EXP 63 and EXP 83 Roll Laminators.

2007
D&K Group Launches a new website in September with new look and feel.  D&K Coating Technologies also increases its production capabilities with a new coating machine and an additional 20,000 square feet of space.

2008 

D&K's new Stacker/Material Handling System allows for more efficient print finishing by stacking laminated sheets on a palletized lift that doubles as a material handling unit.