Creative Pultrusions, Inc. (CP) was founded in December 1972 by Robert D. Sweet, Jr., in Bedford, Pennsylvania, to develop a prototype component for General Motors. With seven employees, and an "original" pultrusion system, Mr. Sweet successfully completed the prototype in 1973 and generated $250,000 of revenue in its first year. The company steadily grew as a result of product diversification, serving the defense, aerospace, transportation, construction and electrical and consumer industries. After reaching $1 million in annual sales in 1976, the company located to a larger facility in Alum Bank, PA.