In 1959 Marchant management made the decision to initiate a redesign program for the rotary calculator based on several distinct factors that formulated basic objectives for the total design. Existing design, successful since 1947 when introduced, was becoming obsolete in the face of many design advances in office equipment design.
The existing line had two different size machines offered in various models, totaling 11 different and distinct machines (4 different 8 bank and 7 different 10 bank machines). The new Consolidate line was to be made up with one basic size machine offered in various models, totaling 10 distinct machines ( 5 different 8 bank and 5 different bank machines).

In late 1961 and early 1962, calculator products were restyled with the new “SCM” look, and features were consolidated to produce six basic models. The styling change was the first in twelve years and only the second in the fifty year history of Marchant machines.

In December 1961, SCM and the Diehl Calculator Company of West Germany entered into a long term agreement covering the marketing of Diehl’s present and future line of calculators. Under the terms of the agreement. SCM obtained exclusive distribution rights for Diehl calculators in the U.S. and Canada. It also called for co-ordination of research engineering and production between SCM and Diehl’s extensive manufacturing facilities. This arrangement gave SCM calculator sales force the most complete line of calculators to serve the needs of the American market.

In June of 1962, SCM announced its plans to relocate calculator production from Oakland to Orangeburg, South Carolina, where a new manufacturing facility would be constructed. This step was taken after an extensive study to determine how and where the Company would be able to continue a profitable calculator manufacturing operation in the face of foreign and domestic competition. Over the period of a year, 100 possible locations both here and abroad were evaluated. The change would make it possible for SCM to reduce costs and retain an important manufacturing operation in the U.S.

New Direction in Supply Products

In December of 1961, SCM signed a long term agreement with Columbia Ribbon and Carbon Manufacturing Company, which called for Columbia to manufacture SCM’s present office supply line, plus additional new products. Under the terms of the contract, SCM also sold to Columbia its Miller-Bryant-Pierce products manufacturing facility in Aurora, Illinois.

As a result of this agreement, over 250 new supply products were introduced, and SCM became the largest retail distributor of office supplies with the most diversified line in the industry. SCM supply salesmen could now sell products for every phase of office duplicating, including offset, hectograph, stencil duplicating, data processing, as well as inked ribbons and carbon paper products.

Ready for the Challenge

L.C. Smith & Bros., the Corona Typewriter Company, the Marchant Calculating Machine Company, and Miller-Bryant-Pierce Company were four corner stones of the building of a modern corporation. The SCM Story is the place to honor those whose ability to face the challenges of the past have made it possible for us to face the challenges of the future. It is a story with no end. The more than 11.000 employees of SCM are vitally involved today in a new chapter.