Radio Engineering Industries Inc. (REI) announced a year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary at UMA Expo in Orlando, Fla.

REI started as a small family-owned radio shop and has grown into a global manufacturer of commercial transportation electronics for the motorcoach, transit, shuttle, school and agriculture markets. REI is owned and operated by the third generation of the Hays family of Omaha, Neb.

In 1938, REI was founded by Clyde H. Hays as a local radio sales and repair store. Over the next few decades, REI expanded into a national distributor and service center for companies such as Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Learjet and Delco Electronics. In 1970, Robert E. Hays inherited the business from his father. During Robert’s tenure REI grew into the transportation electronics manufacturer it is today.

To celebrate the milestone, REI has planned a number of special activities throughout 2013 for customers, employees and friends. REI and the Hays family are honored to celebrate 75 years in business. They are thankful for their loyal customers and look forward to supporting the industry for many more decades.

Today’s generation of REI family include Scott Hays, Terri Jukes, Jeff Hays and Lorri Taylor. Each is active in the day-to-day operations of the business they grew up in. When asked what the greatest lesson they learned from the father, they all unanimously stated, “treating the customer like family.” It’s that core philosophy that REI embraces today.