When Charles Gates, Sr. bought The Colorado Tire and Leather Company in 1911, little did he know his small shop in Denver, Colorado would evolve into one of the world's largest manufacturing enterprises. In 2011, Gates marks 100 years of innovation and service, and celebrates its global position in engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of industrial and automotive belt and hose products, systems, components and services. Gates Corporation, formerly known as The Gates Rubber Company, has charted a global course that has seen the company expand into 29 countries around the world. The company's success is attributed to the commitment and passion of its customers, suppliers and the communities it serves.

Gates today continues to power progress by delivering solutions that help support customers in markets in nearly every country in the world, from industrial and automotive OEMs and replacement markets to agriculture, transportation, mining, oil and gas, construction, food processing and many others with a focus on driving innovation in power transmission, fluid power and fluid transfer, green technologies, energy management and resource extraction and delivery.

Jim Nicol, chairman of Gates and CEO of Tomkins Ltd, Gates parent company, stated, "Customer service and innovation have been the hallmarks of Gates in our first 100 years. As our company expands globally, these hallmarks of customer service and innovation continue to enhance the value of the Gates brand. We are delighted to celebrate this milestone-and a legacy few companies ever realize-with our employees and customers around the world, and we look forward to even greater success over our next 100 years."