Madico
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120 years of excellence · Since 1903

A history of invention,
innovation & imagination

From a Boston paper-goods maker to a global leader in advanced window films — every milestone in the Madico story, from 1903 to today.

120+
Years of innovation
1903
Founded as Hy-Sil
1st
Window film, 1948
45+
Milestones & counting
Our path

Grounded in innovation for over a century

Madico’s 120-year history is grounded in innovation. Our founders were three families who formed Hy-Sil, a Boston-based company and the forerunner to what would become Madico.

Originally a maker of goods such as leather greeting cards and printed gift-wrap paper, Hy-Sil also became known for metallized products including gift-wrap ribbons, tinsel, and a luxury wrap of paper laminated with aluminum foil.

Throughout the 20th century and through to this day, Hy-Sil’s transformation into Madico continues a rich tradition of invention, innovation, and imagination — shown in the milestone achievements below.

1903 — 1948

Origins

Three families found Hy-Sil in Boston — a maker of paper goods and metallized products that would pioneer the world’s first window film.

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1903
Founding

Hy-Sil, the precursor to Madico, is founded. David Hyman is named first company president.

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1912
Empresa

Hy-Sil relocates from Boston to Revere, MA, expanding into printed greeting cards, ribbons, and tinsel.

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1920
Empresa

Hy-Sil expands its business to include wrapping paper.

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1930
Leadership

Eli Hyman is named company president.

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1935
Innovation

Paul Alexander, de Hy-Sil, construye la primera metalizadora rollo a rollo del mundo.

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1948
Innovation

Hy-Sil comercializa con éxito la primera lámina transparente reflectante para ventanas.

1968 — 1990

The Madico Era

Hy-Sil becomes Madico and unleashes a wave of film innovation — color, coatings, solar control, and record-setting safety installations.

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1968
Founding

Hy-Sil forms Material Distribution Corporation — Madico — in Woburn, Massachusetts.

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1974
Innovation

Reflective films with color are introduced by Madico.

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1978
Innovation

Madico presenta películas con un revestimiento protector resistente a los arañazos.

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1979
Productos

Madico lanza una película de protección solar para automoción y arquitectura.

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1980
Leadership

Joe Wadlinger is named company president.

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1982
Innovation

Madico introduces the first high-efficiency, low-reflectivity, high visible-light-transmission copper film produced from electron-beam evaporation or sputtering.

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1984
Seguridad

Madico introduces framing systems in safety film applications and completes the largest known window film installation for a single building — more than 500,000 square feet of safety film.

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1987
Empresa

Madico becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of FSK, a large company with vast pressure-sensitive adhesive technology.

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1990
Empresa

FSK se fusiona con Shikoku Paper Company y Sohken Chemical para formar una nueva empresa conocida como LINTEC Corporation.

1991 — 2016

Expansion

Safety leadership, world-class certifications, and landmark partnerships expand Madico’s reach across automotive, architectural, and security markets.

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1991
Leadership

Ian Dodd is named company president.

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1994
Innovation

Madico presenta películas antigraffiti.

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1997
Leadership

Robert Connelly is named company president.

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1999
Seguridad

Madico lleva a cabo la mayor prueba de explosión a campo abierto jamás realizada por un solo fabricante de láminas de seguridad.

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2001
Seguridad

Film and attachment systems for European government officials are showcased at ComBlast 2001 and 2002 at the Advantica Test Site, Spadeadam, Cumbria, England.

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2004
Seguridad

Madico teams with GE to protect childcare centers, donating safety film to GE’s Project Safeguard.

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2006
Productos

Madico se asocia con ClearPlex® Corporation para lanzar la película invisible de protección de parabrisas ClearPlex.

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2008
Recognition

Los productos Madico reciben la certificación del National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).

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2009
Recognition

ISO 9000-2008 certification is received by Madico.

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2010
Empresa

Manufacturing operations expand to St. Petersburg, Florida, and Madico acquires a solar protection film brand.

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2011
Recognition

ISO 9001 certification is received by Madico.

ClearPlex® Corporation launches the ProtectionPro™ line of on-demand screen protectors.

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2012
Productos

Madico launches a new premium dealer program for Sunscape® Designer Film.

MadicoU launch — the virtual 24/7 dealer campus

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2015
Productos

Madico introduces MACS, the Madico Advanced Cutting System — a plotter and design program that cuts any automotive window film or paint protection film for any vehicle.

Paint protection film is introduced by Madico.

ISO 14001 certification is received by Madico.

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2016
Empresa

Madico acquires ClearPlex® Corporation and its assets — ClearPlex windshield protection film and the ProtectionPro™ on-demand device protection cutting system.

New testing and certifications make Madico’s anti-graffiti films the most highly certified on the market.

LINTEC acquires VDI as part of the LINTEC USA group.

2017 — Today

Modern Madico

A $30M world headquarters, a refreshed brand, and factory-direct service across North America establish Madico as a global leader in advanced films.

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2017
Empresa

Madico invests $30 million in a new world headquarters and manufacturing expansion in Tampa Bay, Florida.

AGRR Magazine names ClearPlex® windshield protection film “Best New Product.”

The Southeast Service Center hosts its First Annual Film Festival & Tint-Off.

black pearl nc feature image 2026 w logo.
2018
Brand

Madico re-brands its logo and name to reflect its expansion into diversified areas and a renewed commitment to specialty films.

Black Pearl® Nano-Ceramic automotive film is launched.

Madico acquires the Peoria, Illinois–based Midwest Marketing Distribution Center, enabling 100% factory-direct service across the U.S.

Protekt® Paint Protection Film (PPF) is launched

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2019
Empresa

Madico completes its move into the new world headquarters in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Madico acquires its two Canadian distributors to form Madico Canada — extending 100% factory-direct service across North America.

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2020
Empresa

ShopMadico.com launches for U.S. window film dealers — film, tools, marketing materials, and accessories online.

Madico hosts a Grand Opening Celebration at the new World Headquarters in Pinellas Park, Florida, with more than 350 guests from around the world.

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2021
Empresa

John Storms becomes Madico's President and COO

COVID-19 response — ANSI-certified anti-fog face shields from the Florida plant

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2025
Seguridad

Jeffrey Plummer inducted into the 2025 Window Film Hall of Fame

SafetyShield® G2 launch — next generation of safety and security film systems

The story continues

More than a century in. The clearest chapters are still ahead.

Madico continues to invent, innovate, and imagine the future of advanced window films and specialty coatings — built in the USA, trusted around the world.