Hypertherm marks 50 years since founding with global celebration

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hypertherm, a provider of plasma, laser, and waterjet systems in Hanover, N.H., co-founder Dick Couch, wife and business partner Barbara Couch, and President/CEO Evan Smith took a 14-day trip around the world to visit the company’s international associates. The trio visited Brazil, Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, and China to celebrate with fellow colleagues. Associates in Quebec, Mexico City, New York, and Minnesota also held anniversary festivities of their own.

On June 14 at the firm’s headquarters, current and retired associates, board members, community leaders, congressional representatives, and New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu watched as a time capsule buried in 2003 during the company’s 35th anniversary year was pulled out of the ground. A new time capsule containing a HyPerformance cooler assembly and filled with more than 80 items, including the company’s “Hotter than Plasma” hot sauce, took its place. It is marked for excavation in 2043 for Hypertherm’s 75th anniversary.

On June 18, about 1,100 associates based at the New Hampshire offices, along with sales associates from across the U.S. and other guests, gathered in Quechee, Vt., for the main celebration. Couch shared stories from the early years and talked about the struggles of getting the company off the ground.