The Early Days

H.G. "Harky" Runnings founded Red Dot Corporation in 1965 with extensive experience in heat transfer and development engineering, gained from employment with The Boeing Company during World War II. After the war, he started West Seattle Radiator Service in a small shop in West Seattle. The business thrived, providing truck and auto radiator repair service that was more complete, speedier and of a higher standard than that provided by the competition. These qualities remain with Red Dot to this day.

In the late 1950s, Runnings custom designed radiators and heaters for Kenworth and Freightliner mail trucks operating in the harsh conditions of Alaska's Alcan Highway. Extensive cold-weather testing in Alaska and Canada was necessary to meet customer requirements. Designing a device or method to do any job better was a challenge always accepted by Runnings.

The success of Runnings' first venture in vehicle heating design inspired him to create products for other vehicles. One of the first new heater products – the R-6 "360" Heater/Defroster – could be installed in six different positions in one vehicle alone and was so successful that it later became the outline for Red Dot Corporation's logo.

The next boost leading to the founding of Red Dot Corporation was not too long in coming. The owner of a small fleet of trucks, plying the punishing Alcan Highway to Alaska, ordered a new truck from a local manufacturer, specifying a Red Dot heater. The salesman taking the order readily agreed, despite never having heard Red Dot. Following much consternation and some investigation, the truck builder eventually uncovered West Seattle Radiator Service. The truck builder wanted Runnings to manufacture and install the heater. Runnings was willing to build, but not install. After some discussion with Runnings, the truck builder notified the fleet owner that he could accept his truck and install any kind of heater he wanted. The fleet owner replied that he would accept only a Red Dot heater, even if it had another company's truck built around it.