Computer Peripherals
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer printers, computer peripherals |
| Founded | April 1962 |
| Headquarters | Rochester, Michigan , United States |
Key people | Control Data Corporation (majority owner by 1978) |
| Products | Train printers, punched card readers, 9-track magnetic tape drives |
| Parent | Control Data Corporation (majority owner by 1978), later Centronics (from 1982) |
Computer Peripherals, Inc. (CPI) was a U.S.-based producer of computer printers, headquartered in Rochester, Michigan.
The origins of CPI trace back to Holley Computer Products, a collaborative venture initiated in April 1962 between Control Data Corporation (CDC) and Holley Carburetor Company. Holley specialized in drum printer development until CDC acquired the company in June 1964. Subsequently, CDC collaborated with NCR and ICL to found CPI in Rochester, with the manufacturing site situated near the intersection of Rochester Road and Tienken Road.
During the early 1970s, CPI maintained an additional facility in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where it manufactured punched card readers alongside 9-track magnetic tape drives for both CDC and NCR clients.
By 1978, CDC had secured majority ownership of CPI. The company’s product lineup included train printers marketed under the CDC and Fastrain labels, featuring models such as the CDC Model 512 (1967), Fastrain A 1200 LPM (1969), and Fastrain 9372-III with a speed of 2000 LPM (1976).
In 1977, CPI broadened its production capabilities by opening a plant in Stevenage, United Kingdom. This location was established within a former ICL1900 computer manufacturing facility. By 1979, this UK site was producing 9-track tape drives compatible with both ICL and CDC systems, as well as standard interface drives for other manufacturers.
In 1982, CDC transferred ownership of CPI along with $25 million to acquire controlling shares in Centronics. Following this transaction, CPI was integrated into Centronics operations, leading to the eventual shutdown of the Rochester manufacturing plant.