Waterford - Yost Home Improvements, Inc. of Waterford is celebrating 50 years in business.

After retiring from the Coast Guard Band, Albert Yost, Sr., together with his wife, Catherine, founded the company in 1961. Once operating out of the family home, the business is the largest home improvement firm in southeastern Connecticut.

Today, sons Albert Yost Jr. and George P. Yost are co-owners of the company, which they expanded in 1983 to include Yost Manufacturing and Supply, Inc., which distributes gutter machines and supplies worldwide. In 2007, Yost opened a manufacturing branch in Auburn, Mass. Albert Yost, Sr., retired in 1980.