General Insulation Company was founded in 1927 by George Hinman, a Johns Manville sales representative. General Insulation Company originated in Cambridge, Massachusetts and functioned as a Boston area contractor. In 1973, after surviving three generations of the ownership of the Hinman family, George's son Bill redirected the focus of the company to insulation distribution. Peter Hinman took the reigns of leadership of General Insulation Company in 1975 and remained in control until 1978 when the company was bought by Jack Doherty. Peter Hinman continued to manage the business until 1982.