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Creating a company and an industry
Expanding internationally
Selling European assets
Advancing mechanical seals and growing worldwide
Pioneering gas seals as industry consolidates
Adding expertise through acquisition
In Chicago, Illinois, building maintenance engineer John Crane repairs leaky radiator valve feed pumps using lead foil from tobacco packages. He earns his first of three packing patents (U.S. Patent 0956042A) – and the metallic packing industry is born.
First John Crane patent on a mechanical seal.
Engineer John Crane installs his metallic packing material on a boiler feeder pump at Standard Oil building at 910 S. Michigan, Chicago. It is still working as of July 1919.
Frank Payne, a sales rep for Warren Steam Pumps, sells John Crane’s metallic packing on commission. He convinces John Crane to form the Crane-Payne Partnership, opening a facility at 1829 S. Clinton St., Chicago.
A letter addressed to Mr. Payne dating back to 1915 before the company’s launch.
Frank Payne placing a time capsule in a brick pillar at the 1800 W. Cuyler Avenue Chicago facility as it was initially being built.
Engineer John Crane receives U.S. Patent #1,151344 for “Packing and Method for Making the Same”. This innovation allows John Crane to mass-produce his metallic packing material in a way that ensures a smooth, uniform surface.
Condenser packing for steamships and automotive packing for vehicle water pumps are launched in vehicles like the vintage Stanley Steamer shown here.
Frank E. Payne serves as first president and CEO of Crane Packing. Crane Packing Company is incorporated in Illinois on March 9, headquartered at 9A S. Clinton St., Chicago.
Crane Packing sets up Flexible Metallic Packing Company, Ltd. in Windsor, Ontario and begins manufacturing metallic packing for the Canadian market.
Crane Packing opens U.S. sales offices in Philadelphia, New York City and Pittsburgh.
Crane Packing completes the building at 1800 W. Cuyler Ave., Chicago. The building is expanded three times over the next 35 years.
To keep pace with the tremendous demand for metallic packing, Crane Packing builds a block building at 1800 W. Cuyler Avenue to house all of its manufacturing and office operations.
Crane Packing opens its Boston sales office.
Crane Packing opens its Houston sales office in the heart of Texas oil country.
Expansion continues in:
Pictured: Slough, England.
U.S. Navy chooses Crane Packing metallic packing surface condensers for its ships.
Crane Packing’s metallic water pump packing is the factory standard for Chevrolets, Fords and other automobiles – 25 million vehicles by the mid-1930s.
With World War II looming, Crane Packing Ltd. in England is sold to management to better support the war efforts.
The lapping process is developed to ensure the proper face profile for extended seal life.
With an increase in women in the workforce, women are checking the lapping on mechanical seal faces.
Queen Mary II ocean liner is launched with a turbine condenser system sealed with Crane Packing.
First automotive mechanical seal patented.
Founding of Stevenson Engineering, later Sealol.
Tube Investments (TI) Group acquires UK-based Crane Packing Ltd.
Crane Packing receives 24 patents on mechanical seals for high-pressure and corrosive applications.
Type 1 Elastomer Bellow Seal: Demonstrating John Crane’s industry-innovation, with its proven track record of exceptional performance, the Type 1 elastomer bellows seal is widely recognized as the industry's workhorse.
Type 6 Metal Bellow Seal: The Type 6 High-Temperature, Rotating Edge-Welded Metal Bellows Seal revolutionized the industry.
Type 8-1: The Type 8-1 Elastomer O-Ring Seals delivered innovation and superior functionality when handling industrial fluid.
Crane Packing opens a sales office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Types 1, 2 and 3 seals are introduced in the 1940’s.
Over the years, John Crane has boasted many company sports teams across the globe. Here you’ll see the John Crane Bowling League featured.
The Crane Packing Softball team, which used a 16 in. softball known as the “clincher”, was popular in Chicago, Illinois during the Depression and remains popular today.
John Crane Cribbage Team from Slough, UK.
John Crane Dart Team from Slough, UK.
John Crane Football Team from Slough, UK.
John Crane employees participating in a company golf match.
John Crane Squash team.
John Crane launches CHEMLON, a Teflon-based packing material for pumps, valves, hydraulic fittings and cylinders, coaxial cables and gaskets. This product will be in high demand for the rapidly growing oil & gas and chemical industries.
First ready-to-install cartridge seal, the T-8-B, introduced to reduce plant downtime.
First coupling patent for John Crane Slough, UK.
Crane Packing buys 26 acres of land in Morton Grove, Illinois for its main office as well as manufacturing. The facility opens in 1952 and is expanded several times over the next 15 years.
Karl V. Rohlen becomes second president and CEO of Crane Packing.
Main office, laboratory, and cafeteria are completed in Morton Grove, IL.
Crane Packing receives two key patents for rotary mechanical seals: U.S. Patent 2851291 and U.S. Patent 2859988.
Even back then, the quality of our product was key to our business culture. Here you’ll see the first Metastream M-Series diaphragm coupling is installed in a nuclear facility.
Expansion includes launches in Mexico, Holland, Brazil, Germany, Australia, South Africa, and a joint venture in Japan.
New products include Free-All penetrating oil for frozen bolts, nuts and machine screws; Cyclo Clean, a cone-shaped abrasives separator for shaft seals; Type 1 & 1-B shaft seals with DuPont Viton bellows; and Types 9B-2 and 8B-1 mechanical seals.
Further demonstrating our family culture, John Crane employees are featured in an edition of the “Stuffing Box” historic newsletter being recognized for superior quality workmanship.
The “Stuffing Box” newsletter was John Crane’s internal corporate newsletter used to keep employees connected.
The CrossBowMan newsletter was used to keep employees connected in our Slough, UK office.
Teflon production facility, located in Morton Grove Illinois, is doubled in size to meet growing demand.
Breakthroughs include the first Type 28AT dry gas seal patent; work on non-contacting, dry gas seal technology; and advancement in spiral groove technology.
Crane Packing’s packing division moves into a new 63,000-square-foot building in Morton Grove.
John Crane Japan is established and they are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2018.
From the 1970s to the 1990s, John Crane has expanded globally with 25 major manufacturing sites and over 200 locations around the world to serve our customers wherever they need us.
As an example of our global expansion, subsidiaries are established in Singapore and Spain, and in 1980, Portugal. First Middle East office also opened in Kuwait.
First field application of a Type 28 spiral groove gas seal.
Demonstrating John Crane’s seal face technology innovation, the Type 26 is introduced showing an end face shaft seal with tungsten carbide sealing faces.
Harry Tankus becomes third president and CEO of Crane Packing.
First use of Type 28 non-contacting dry gas seal on a pipeline compressor. This product revolutionizes the gas compression industry, replacing dual wet seal technology.
John Crane is recognized by Chemical Processing magazine as a Vaaler Awards recipient.
John Crane UK receives U.S. Patent 42124475A for a self-aligning spiral groove face gas seal.
Operations established in Saudi Arabia, Korea and Taiwan, and a joint venture in China.
John Crane pioneered the evolution of cartridge seals to spiral groove gas seal technology, truly setting the standard of innovation and excellence in the industry.
Pioneering a new concept known today as “upstream pumping”, John Crane’s leading-edge lubricated, high-pressure spiral groove upstream pump seal combination is patented (U.S. Patent 4290611), and used for pumping liquids upstream.
Crane Packing, until now a family-owned business, is purchased by Houdaille Industries, a holding company and renamed John Crane – Houdaille Inc.
First dry gas seal manufactured for a steam turbine from John Crane Slough facility.
John Crane UK acquires Mauri Bros / Burns Philp interest to form John Crane Australia Pty Ltd., headquartered in Sydney.
Demonstrating the John Crane family legacy, Tony Yates, age 7, son of Jan Yates (employee), submitted a drawing for the holiday drawing contest in John Crane’s “Stuffing Box” newsletter. Tony Yates grew up to become a John Crane Plant Manager in the Morton Grove, IL facility, making him the third generation of Yates family members to work for John Crane (Tony Yates Sr., Jan Yates, and Tony Yates Jr.).
Tube Investments (TI) Group acquires total ownership of John Crane to form the new John Crane International.
As another example of innovation, John Crane launches the Type 8000 upstream pump seal bringing non-contacting spiral groove technology to pumps.
Type 37FS split seal is created.
John Crane patents non-contacting sealing technology for pumps for environmentally sensitive liquids.
John Crane introduces the Type 48 Low-Emissions Shaft seal to control emission to less than 500 ppm. This seal is ideal for industrial applications involved in the processing of VOCs and similar hazardous materials.
John Crane applies pump technology to ensure that our customers meet or exceed the standards of the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stringent regulations for hazardous emissions.
John Crane acquires Lemco, a manufacturer of seal systems.
image John Crane expands in:
The industry is becoming more and more digitized, changing rapidly with the launch of the Internet and increased usage of the mobile phone.
A state-of-the-art Technology Testing Center (TTC) was built to address API 682 low emissions regulations, as well as to qualify and test seal designs in actual real-world, harsh service conditions. Our world-class testing center was a key step in developing low-emissions technology.
John Crane releases the industry’s first rubber bellow split seal developed commercially to meet the needs of Power Generation, Pulp & Paper, and Mining applications. This split mechanical face seal is patented (U.S. Patent 5114163).
Formal opening in Colombia & Argentina.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) 682 compliant cartridge seal is released.
John Crane launches the Type 5600 Family of Universal Cartridge Seals, delivering a truly modular, interchangeable platform that was a first in the industry.
World's largest dry gas seal, 13"/330mm, is produced for a 7500 psi test rig.
The first Managed Reliability Program (MRP) is signed in the U.S.
TI Group acquires Sealol, Safematic, and Flexibox couplings products to further expand John Crane’s reach in oil & gas, pulp & paper and general industry.
John Crane Czech Republic headquarters for Eastern Europe is established. Ten years later, it will include John Crane’s largest manufacturing facility.
TI Group merges with Smiths Industries, becoming Smiths Group plc, a global technology company based in London. John Crane becomes part of Smiths Group plc.
Type 28 EXP 350 bar tandem seal launches.
Due to significant growth, we expand our facility operations footprints in locations including Mexico, Chile, Thailand and China.
John Crane introduces Type 2100 heavy-duty elastomer bellows seal, strengthening our position in the commercial and industrial pool and spa market.
John Crane develops the Type 5870 Heavy Duty Flushless Cartridge Slurry Seal, which operates without an external water source, eliminating the need for a water flush which can save thousands of gallons of water per day in a mining, power generation, or Pulp & Paper applications.
San Fernando, Mexico facility opens for high-volume seal production.
First SmartFlow intelligent seal water control device launches (patented in 2006) using seal water when the mechanical seal requires cooling, satisfying the increasing need to protect our environment and reduce seal water usage and associated costs. In 2007, Smartflow will be awarded the United Nations' Best Environmental Initiative award in Australia.
John Crane earns U.S. patent for gas conditioning unit (GCU) systems designed to improve the operational environment that the gas seal operates in, creating a dry gas environment.
JC Sealing Systems India is established, combining John Crane India and Flexibox India.
The mid 2000's: 2005-2009 was an active period of new product development and creative technical solutions designed to solve a wide range of customer processing demands across industry sectors such as oil & gas, power generation, chemical processing, and pulp and paper.
A highly engineered design reduces face distortions providing superior leakage control, improved running reliability and longer life.
John Crane’s seal for high temperature and corrosive environments is selected for breakthrough product of 2006 by Processing Magazine.
The T5860 extends pump life in harsh environments and difficult to service conditions. It also reduces water usage and extends shaft life compared to packing.
The T5840 unique cone spring profile provides constant loading and improved rubber encasement integrity. It provides an easy upgrade from packing, conserves water usage, handles high slurries without hang-up potential and extends pump up time.
The T7800 is the only multi-technology mixer seal platform on the market, providing a flexible seal technology platform for plant application customization and enhanced LCC.
The T5610/20D is the first off-the-shelf wet / dry cartridge seal on the market. As the only dual standard cartridge with dry running secondary containment seal, it improves the life on problem pumps where dry running is encountered – a simple dry dual seal arrangement.
The T2874 is the only standard face-to-back gas seal on the market. Its performance and reliability is a preferred arrangement. It has a simplified barrier system and a leveraged world-wide experience.
The Type 48V’s unique retainer drive slots eliminate the bayoneting of SiC ears into the retainer. The best-practice, tested designs are suitable for critical high-pressure services.
The Type 32i is a non-squealing, patent pending active noise mitigation mechanism. It creates a safer work environment with quieter performance to meet plant guidelines without a need for expensive noise abatement systems.
The Type 2874NE the only standard face-to-back, non-elastomer gas barrier seal on the market. It has a patented reverse balance feature, performance and reliability of preferred API arrangement, a full reverse pressure capability and is non-elastomer.
The Type 3740 has simple drive, stable face pair and fewer components than the competition. It provides ease of installation, superior dry running materials, high pressure capability and is priced competitively.
The T5610 is an interchangeable high-performance drive with extended torque range capability. The Standard Cartridge with interchangeable enhanced drive design provides extended performance in special applications.
This proprietary John Crane material with improved state-of-the-art tribological characteristics has enhanced LCC, energy consumption, performance and application range at a price premium over conventional material.
John Crane receives prestigious R&D 100 award for Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Technology.
The Type 48VL provides excellent primary seal reliability with the lowest overall system cost arrangement, a lower entry cost technology than 28VL. It has enhanced face technology and performance versus Champion.
Slough, UK creates John Crane’s largest gas seal test rig.
The world’s largest 350mm Type 28XP gas seal is created and delivered in Slough, UK.
2609 HTC and 3609 HTL high-performance, high-temperature seals for oil & gas refineries are launched.
JC Technology (Tianjin) China established, incorporating Timing Seals Co Ltd.
John Crane acquires CDI Energy Services, CDI Oilfield Services, Fiberod, and Global Energy Products to create John Crane Production Solutions (JCPS), specializing in artificial lift equipment and services for upstream oil & gas.
Safeunit Ultima launches and is patented in 2008, supporting a mechanical seal while reducing water waste.
Smartflow awarded by United Nations' Best Environmental Initiative award in Australia.
Purchase of Indufil BV adds filtration systems and filter elements to the product portfolio.
The next-generation of modular, mechanical split seal cartridge, Type 3740 is introduced.
John Crane supplies the world's largest diameter couplings, 55".
Valve for cryogenic applications is developed.
John Crane introduces the Type 2874NE gas seal.
Turbo Components & Engineering (TCE) is acquired for aftermarket bearings expertise.
Tedd Smith serves as interim and 11th CEO of John Crane, joining from the FlexTek division of Smiths.
Type JCS Integrated Double Mechanical Seal for Sulzer pump technologies is patented designed for use in pumps used in environmentally hazardous liquids.
John Crane establishes operations in Lima, Peru.
Dry gas seals experienced as the highest pressure seal.
John Crane Colombia signed the first Global Managed Reliability Services Program in the midstream market (Oil Pipelines Market).
John Crane Malaysia is established in Kuala Lumpur.
Seal monitoring and control system patented (U.S. Patent 8651801).
The Aura™ 220 gas seal launches, first in the Aura family of next-generation gas seals.
Company logos from 1917 to 2015.
John Crane launches new brand to better align with the needs of rotating equipment manufacturers and users in the process industries.
XPD8 Solutions and OIE Services are acquired to expand John Crane's asset management solutions.
In November, to focus on the core business, 2016 John Crane divests John Crane Production Solutions (JCPS), specializing in artificial lift equipment and services for upstream oil & gas.
Jean Vernet serves as 14th CEO of John Crane.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
March 9: John Crane marks 100-year anniversary centennial celebration.
John Crane divests the Bearing business to free up capital for further investment in R&D and innovative solutions, including digitization, additive manufacturing and materials including nanotechnology
Performance based reliability contract won in the Pulp & Paper Industry.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane celebrates centennial anniversary with parties across the globe.
John Crane concludes the year-long centennial celebration, while reinvesting in our pioneering heritage and our worldwide service network of ~200 locations