Damon Corp. was a NYSE-listed medical products manufacturer based in Needham Heights, Massachusetts, when it bought Estes in 1969. In 1971, Damon aquired Estes's largest competitor, Centuri. Estes and Centuri were operated as separate businesses until the early 1980s. Both Companies's products were offered by mail-order and through a network of independent hobby stores.
In the mid-1980s, a marketing effort placed Estes's products in national chains such as Wal-Mart and Toys 'R' Us.
In 1989, Bain Capital purchased controlling interest in Damon.
Damon sold Estes to Trust Corporation of the West Capital Partners in 1990. At the time Estes had about 200 employees.
In 1993, Bain sold Damon to Corning. Damon's operations were integrated into the MetPath network of clinical testing laboratories operated by Corning's subsidiary, Corning Lab Services Inc..
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