1973 - Company Founded
The Progress Group began its journey in 1973 as Progress Machine Shop, founded by Sharon and Aleksandar Desancic, who launched the business in a small rental building in Whiting, Indiana. With only one lathe machine and two part-time workers, they built the company on hands-on craftsmanship, reliability, and a commitment to solving customers’ toughest mechanical challenges. Their vision and work ethic laid the foundation for the decades of growth that followed.
1985 — Expansion Into Pump & Valve Work and Corporate Property Acquisition
By 1985, the founders were guiding the company through a period of major transformation and growth. After expanding into specialized pump and valve repair work—previously marketed under the Progress Pump and Valve Service name—the company strengthened its long-term foundation by purchasing the property at 918 Kennedy Avenue. This new corporate headquarters provided much-needed space, operational stability, and the infrastructure required to handle more advanced industrial projects. Together, the service expansion and property acquisition marked a pivotal turning point in establishing the company as a trusted and rapidly growing industrial services provider.
1996 — New Facility Completed
In 1996, the company achieved a major operational milestone with the completion of a new, multi-purpose facility. The expanded building provided significantly greater production capacity, improved infrastructure, and the space required to handle larger industrial components and advanced equipment. This investment supported the founders’ long-term strategy for growth, modernization, and increased service capability.
2013 — Turbine Division & Rebrand
As turbine repair work grew into a major part of the business, the company rebranded in 2013 to Progress Pump and Turbine Services Inc. This expansion solidified the turbine division and opened new doors in the energy and power generation sectors. It also marked the beginning of partnerships with universities and research organizations, further strengthening the company’s technical expertise and industry reputation.
2016 — Modern Identity and Major Facility Expansion
In 2016, the company adopted the name The Progress Group, Inc. to reflect its evolution into a diversified industrial services provider with capabilities extending far beyond its original machine shop roots. That same year, the company significantly expanded its operational footprint with a 35,000 square foot addition to the main campus, bringing the total facility size to 120,000 sq. ft. This major investment strengthened capacity, improved workflow, and positioned the company to take on larger, more complex industrial and defense-related projects.
2020 — Launch of Defense-Focused Division
In 2020, The Progress Group marked a pivotal moment in its evolution by establishing a dedicated division, Progress Defense Corporation, focused on defense-related work. This new strategic direction strengthened the company’s capabilities in high-precision services, controlled data handling, and specialized industrial support aligned with defense-sector requirements. The launch of this division represented a major step toward broadening the company’s technical expertise, expanding its service reach, and positioning us for more complex and mission-critical projects.
2022 — WOSB Federal Certification
In 2022, The Progress Group earned formal certification as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), reflecting the company’s leadership, ownership structure, and ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equitable business practices.
2025 — Expansion Into Alabama
In 2025, Progress Defense Corporation continued its strategic growth by expanding operations into Alabama with the development of a new 55,000 square foot warehouse and supply-management facility. This major addition strengthens the company’s regional presence and enhances its ability to support large-scale industrial, transportation, and defense-related logistics. The new Alabama campus provides expanded storage capacity, streamlined material handling, and improved distribution capabilities.
