James W. Fleming founded Aero Metals Inc. in 1961, with its headquarters located in LaPorte, Indiana (USA). Jim worked at a big aerospace foundry in LaPorte and was a toolmaker by profession. In his spare time, he made the decision to launch an engineering business out of his basement, where he started designing tools and molds and offering manufacturing product advice. Jim soon established a reputation as a very creative and industrious designer, which inspired him to start a tool and mold manufacturing business in a little garage in 1964.The transfer from a basement to a 6000 square foot Quonset hut near Kingsbury, just outside of LaPorte, was prompted by the first order for a metal casting in 1968.