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In 1996, Irwin Haber found himself sitting across the table from his two business partners facing a decision that would define the rest of his career. The company they had purchased out of bankruptcy just three years earlier was still struggling, dragged down by legacy contracts and the remnants of its past. His partners wanted out. Haber wanted to keep going.
“They told me I had 60 days,” he recalls. “Either buy us out or we’ll find someone else to run it.”
It’s not the kind of challenge most people would run toward. But Irwin Haber isn’t most people.
The unexpected ultimatum became a turning point, setting him on a path that would ultimately transform a once-bankrupt, 26-person manufacturer into what The PDI Group is today: a family-led, values-driven global supplier with four identifiable international brands supporting military and government operations around the world.
A MHU-110 munitions trailer, one of The PDI Group’s major product lines.
The Early Bet That Changed Everything
When Haber took control of The PDI Group, he brought with him not only a background in finance but also an unwavering belief in the business’s potential. Still, the early years were anything but easy.
When Haber joined the company, it was primarily producing specialized weapons and ground support equipment—munitions trailers, transport systems, and handling equipment used by the U.S.A.F. Those early product lines became the foundation upon which Haber would build The PDI Group.
One of the biggest hurdles came from the company’s banking relationship at the time. Haber needed financing that matched the urgency and complexity of operating in specialized aerospace and defense markets. Instead, he found himself constrained by rigid structures and slow-moving processes.
He remembers one moment vividly: “I had weeks, maybe days, to decide whether to take on a major opportunity, and the bank’s answer was basically, We’ll get back to you. That doesn’t work in this industry.”
That frustration planted a seed: Someday, he would find the right banking partner. But first, he had to stabilize the business, expand its capabilities, and build a reputation for quality that would set The PDI Group apart. By the early 2000s, the company was on track–growing steadily, earning trust from customers and industry partners alike.
What Haber didn’t know then was that the banking partner he had been waiting for would arrive years later.
Banking Built on Trust
More than a decade ago, Haber met commercial lender Christopher Massie, who was supporting The PDI Group through a different bank at the time. Their relationship began with consistent communication, timely responses, and genuine curiosity about the business. Over time, it grew into something deeper—trust, mutual respect, and an understanding that The PDI Group needed a banking partner willing and able to act fast when opportunities arose.
“When you find someone who listens and cares about your business as much as you do, you stay with them,” Haber says. “That’s Chris.”
Years later, when Massie joined Civista Bank, the decision to transfer The PDI Group’s banking needs over to Civista was an easy one.
“It wasn’t a typical banking transition,” Massie explains. “It was a family choosing to grow with us.”
Still, transitioning The PDI Group’s complex financial structure into Civista was no small task. The company operated multiple entities, managed international supply chains, made many sales direct to international customers, and relied on timing-sensitive cash flows and access to credit. Civista aligned operating accounts, working-capital lines, equipment financing, treasury management services, and even personal banking into one coordinated relationship–simplifying logistics and reaping efficiencies along the way.
On Civista’s side, it was a team effort. Massie led the commercial credit strategy while Greg Stehlik, Vice President of Treasury Management, engineered the cash-flow systems that keeps The PDI Group running efficiently. Their collective approach mirrored the company they were serving: responsive, personal, and anchored in character.
That foundation became essential as The PDI Group prepared for its next chapter.
A Series of Recent Strategic Acquisitions
The PDI Group began expanding into new markets, new capabilities, and new technologies. Over several years, the company completed three major acquisitions, each deepening its position in aerospace and defense manufacturing.
Rows of running gear wheel kits waiting to be packed for distribution.
KWD Aircraft Support Equipment (Acquired 2018)
KWD, formerly KWD Manufacturing, brought The PDI Group into aircraft support systems, supporting aircraft like the C-130, T-6, and P-3—critical aircraft used widely across global air forces. KWD’s long-standing relationships with major defense contractors added credibility to The PDI Group’s portfolio.
A propeller dolly, produced by KWD, being used to transport a propeller from a C-130 aircraft.
Polytech Defense Spares (Acquired 2023)
The acquisition of Polytechnic Industries, now Polytech Defense Spares, expanded The PDI Group’s reach into spare parts, fasteners, small components, and thousands of hard-to-find items relied on by the Department of Defense and commercial entities. The acquisition also added a deep library of technical drawings, an invaluable asset in the parts supply ecosystem.
Civista financed the acquisition and provided treasury support that allowed The PDI Group to quickly stabilize operations and begin scaling Polytech’s output. Within two years, Polytech’s revenue grew by roughly 20%.
Just a few of the parts produced by Polytech Defense Spares.
Colinear Aerospace (Acquired 2025)
Colinear Aerospace, formerly Colinear Machine & Design, produces complex flight-critical components, parts essential to the safe operation of military and commercial aircraft. From helicopter rotor systems to landing-gear assemblies, Colinear Aerospace’s precision manufacturing added a high-value capability to The PDI Group’s portfolio.
Colinear Aerospace’s precision manufacturing allows it to produce a variety of flight-critical components for commercial and military aircraft.
This was one of The PDI Group’s most time-sensitive acquisitions. Civista not only financed the purchase out of bankruptcy but also supported the company through a series of complex legal
maneuvers. “We needed to be flexible, fast, and collaborative,” recalls Massie, noting that Civista delivered in all respects “That’s the only way deals like this get done.”
Together, these acquisitions have transformed The PDI Group into a more capable, resilient organization. The company now spans multiple engineering disciplines, supports a wider range of aerospace and defense programs, and operates with a deeper bench of expertise that positions it for long-term global impact.
National Recognition
As The PDI Group expanded its brand, the world took notice.
In 2017, the company was named SBA Exporter of the Year for Federal Region V, recognizing the significant growth of its international business. The award celebrated not only sales performance but also the company’s success in building strategic partnerships with allied nations, supporting defense readiness across the globe.
Irwin Haber and Gil Goldberg, the SBA Cleveland District Director, at the ceremony which named The PDI Group the SBA Exporter of the Year for Federal Region V.
One year later, The PDI Group earned the prestigious Presidential “E Award” for Export Excellence—one of the highest honors a U.S. business can receive for strengthening the nation’s exports. Only 44 companies nationwide received the recognition that year.
Nathan Haber (R) and Ryan Haber (M) accepting the Presidential “E Award” for Export Excellence from Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross.
For Haber, that moment stands out. “It meant the world to us,” he shared. “It validated the decades we had spent building trust around the world. It said that a family company from Ohio could compete and win on a global stage.”
Shared Values Fuel a Strong Partnership
While awards tell one part of the story, the deeper current running through The PDI Group’s success is simpler: character.
It’s what Civista Bank saw in The PDI Group. And it’s what The PDI Group values most in Civista Bank.
Civista’s Greg Stehlik puts it simply, “They’re collaborative. They’re open to ideas. They believe in doing things the right way. When you have a client like that, you do everything you can to support them.”
The Civista team meets regularly to discuss and align on The PDI Group’s needs. Massie and Stehlik often exchange texts and calls after hours when an opportunity or challenge emerges.
The bank doesn’t rely on rigid templates; instead, they design solutions that fit the way The PDI Group operates.
It’s a relationship built not on transactions but on trust—something that mirrors the Haber family’s own approach to business.
A Family Business, Built for the Future
Today, three of Haber’s children—Nathan, Ryan, and Rena—play significant leadership roles in The PDI Group. Nathan serves as President, guiding day-to-day operations with a steady, detail-oriented approach that echoes his father’s belief in accountability and long-term thinking. Ryan, the other President, leads business acquisition development and supports key engineering initiatives, helping the company identify new markets and strengthen relationships with major aerospace and defense partners. Rena oversees administrative and organizational functions, keeping the company’s internal systems aligned as its national and international footprint continues to grow.
Together, the siblings represent the next generation of stewardship, a continuation of the values that have shaped The PDI Group since the day Irwin first took the risk that changed everything.
That continuity, says Massie, is part of what makes the company stand out. “They’re grounded. They’re committed. And they’re all pulling in the same direction,” he says. “In our world, that matters.”
When you walk into The PDI Group’s offices, you’ll find an American flag displayed prominently in the hallway. The flag wasn’t purchased or donated. It was flown in combat—sent to the company by a U.S. military unit that relies on their equipment.
It’s not something they advertise. It’s not something they talk about often.
But it’s a quiet reminder of why their work matters.
“That’s who they are,” Stehlik says. “They take pride in supporting people who depend on them. And we take pride in helping them do that.”
Your Partner in What Comes Next
The PDI Group’s success illustrates a simple truth: when a company with strong values partners with a bank that listens, understands, and responds, extraordinary things can happen. What began as a company with 26 employees and an annual revenue of $3 million now has 115 employees operating out of three locations in Ohio and New Jersey with 150,000 square feet of manufacturing, and revenue in excess of $42 million. And they’re not done growing!
For growing businesses, especially those navigating fast-moving markets, expanding operations, or planning their next big leap, the right financial partner doesn’t just provide capital. It provides momentum. Stability. And someone in your corner when timing matters most.
Civista Bank is proud to support companies like The PDI Group, where integrity, innovation, and community-minded leadership drive every decision.
If you’re ready for a banking relationship built on trust, responsiveness, and solutions that fit your business, the Civista team is ready to help.
