How We Got Here
In 1911, Jamison Handy leaves his job at the Chicago Tribune to start a business he called "educational advertising." The mission was to help advertisers ensure that potential customers would always be assisted by knowledgeable salespeople. Through two World Wars and the Great Depression the Jam Handy Organization made instructional materials for government, business and school systems. The focus was always on using the most appropriate media for the assignment. From lantern slides to sound filmstrips, sound talkies to Cinemascope 70mm, chart presentations to business theater, the Jam Handy Organization was on the forefront of innovation.
In 1971, Jam Handy triggered a spin-off company, led by Bill Sandy, to focus on the automotive business. For the next 15 years, The Bill Sandy Company served the training and communications needs of Fortune 100 clients. Sandy continued to use state-of-the-art technology including multi-screen motion pictures, surround slide shows and interactive videodisc. The company also focused on standards-based process improvement, creating the Service Supremacy System, which is still in use by many automotive dealerships over 30 years later.
In 1985, Sandy went public on the American Stock Exchange as Sandy Corporation. Over the next 10 years, Sandy diversified its professional service offerings and expanded its client base. Sandy's California office opened in 1988 and continues to serve clients in the West Coast market.
In 1996, Sandy was acquired by Automatic Data Processing (ADP) as part of a strategy to increase the range of its professional disciplines. Sandy’s focus on innovation continued by creating database-driven, personalized marketing publications, with content customized for each recipient. We also took a page from Jam Handy’s 1911 playbook to help ensure that potential customers are always assisted by knowledgeable salespeople. We created and managed a core of in-dealership trainers, capable of training on new and used product, accessories, computer systems, and process improvement.
In 2007, Sandy was acquired by General Physics Corporation, and is now an operating division of that company. General Physics is a global provider of technical training, training administration solutions, and other performance-improvement services, with office locations in many countries. Sandy’s expertise in product sales training and marketing communications is a natural complement to GP’s many capabilities in technical training, e-learning, outsourced HR administration, and related competencies. Together, Sandy and GP offer clients a unique combination and range of services to reduce costs, increase sales, retain customers, and solve problems pertaining to people, process and technology performance. For more detailed information, please visit GP’s website at www.gpworldwide.com.
