GEMS 'history stretches back more than 50 years. Company founder Edward H. Moore developed the first level indicator in his basement in 1955 and acquired the proprietary technology in 1959. Later, Edward H. Moore and Gordon Seigle founded GEMS, a company named after the letters GS and EM. GEMS 'commercial success comes from a bilge switch used in small-scale shipbuilding. As Gems products quickly gained acceptance in the shipping and industry sectors, the company expanded its workforce and facilities -- from an initial 6,500-square-foot facility to a 60,000-square-foot facility in Plainville, Conn. Today, GEMS designs and manufactures a wide range of liquid level, flow and pressure sensors, micro-solenoid valves and pre-installed jet systems, and is affiliated with the Fortive Group, a Fortune 500 company.