crane engineering - celebrating 75 years

1939

The Crane Engineering Story Begins.

1939 – Herbert Crane, schooled as a mechanical engineer and

experienced in pulp and paper processes, starts Crane Engineering in

the spring of 1939.

Working from his home basement in Appleton, Wisconsin, alongside his

wife Marjorie, Herbert Crane begins his new company.

Crane starts his business representing two key product lines, Goulds

Pumps and Viking Pump.

1941-1946 – As war rages in Europe, Crane serves as the District

Manager of the War Production Board, making Crane Engineering a

weekend only venture.

1946 – After the war, Crane returns to business, growing by serving the

paper industry.

1946 – Crane Engineering’s first office on Wisconsin Avenue in

Appleton. The first full-time employee is added, Mabel McClanahan,

serving as Financial and Operations Manager.

1947 – Crane carefully selects a sales force for his growing business.

He hires those who will understand the challenges of an engineer

best… other engineers. He uses the tagline “Engineers who sell.”

1950s – Crane Engineering becomes one of the leading suppliers of

pumps and valves to the paper industry in Wisconsin and Upper

Michigan.

1950s – Key lines now include Goulds Pumps, Viking Pump, Gorman

Rupp, and Rovang Knife Gate Valves.

1962 – Jim Crane joins Crane Engineering.

1968 – Jim Crane becomes second generation owner of Crane

Engineering.

1973 – Crane breaks ground on a new office building located at 1200

S. Lynndale Avenue.

1974 – Mabel McClanahan is promoted to Vice President.

1975 – Construction is near completion on Lynndale Avenue.

1975 – Construction is complete at the new Lynndale location.

1980 – Crane Engineering breaks ground on a 4,000 sq ft warehouse

addition.

1981 – Crane Engineering continues to assist the paper industry with

solutions to challenging problems.

1983 – Crane Engineering acquires Walter B Rohm, entering the

industrial market in Milwaukee and water/wastewater market.

1983 – Crane’s Account Managers have always been hands on,

wastewater is no exception.

1985 – Crane Engineering launches its Service and Repair capability.

1985 – Crane Engineering launches industrial flooring, dome coating,

and tank lining capability.

1986 – Crane Engineering hosts the first Tech Expo, a biannual event,

presenting for the 15th time in 2015.

1986 – Mabel McClanahan retires from Crane Engineering after 40

years of service.

1988 – Crane Engineering is growing, employs almost 30.

1990 – At 60 employees, the Lynndale office burst at the seams,

housing some employees in a construction trailer while the new office

was being constructed.

1990 – Line cards now include nearly 60 product lines for pumps,

valves, filters, instruments, mechanical seals, corrosion resistance, and

other fluid process equipment.

1990 – Crane Engineering prepares to construct a new, 35,000 sq ft

facility in Kimberly to house administration, engineering, service

department, warehouse, and the budding OptiFlow Systems group.

1991 – Crane Engineering moves to its current location at 707 Ford

Street in Kimberly, Wisconsin.

1996 – Crane Engineering now employs 60.

2001 – With the capability to design and build chemical feed, mixing,

and other systems, OptiFlow Systems is launched.

2004 – Third generation leader Lance Crane joins the company and

becomes President of Crane Engineering.

2007 – Jim Crane retires after 45 years of service. Lance Crane

becomes the third generation owner and CEO of Crane Engineering.

2007 – OptiFlow Systems division goes national, selling to chemical,

tissue, and other industries across the country.

2008 – As a complete turnkey solution, Crane Engineering sends its

own programmers to start up OptiFlow Systems in sanitary

conditions…

…and not so sanitary, ensuring systems are performing to customers’

expectations.

2009 – Crane Engineering creates the Valve SuperSource, a one stop

shop for over 35 valve manufacturers, onsite inventory, and technical

support.

2013 – Crane’s Account Manager engineers remain hands on, to this day.

2013 – Service group now has an expanded inside and field service

team and fleet. They now service and maintain a wide range of rotating

equipment…

Like wastewater screens…

Valve repair, customization and automation…

Screw pumps, and more.

2013 – Crane Engineering’s Regional Service Center is now a Factory

Authorized Service Center for Goulds Pumps, Viking Pump, Roto-Jet,

and Gorman Rupp Pumps.

2014 – Top Tier Manufacturer Distribution Leadership - better outfitted

today to serve virtually all fluid technology needs plus industrial flooring

and tank lining.

2014 – Crane Engineering celebrates 75 years providing fluid

technology solutions to Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and beyond.