- Nash Engineering Company
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The Nash Engineering Company was founded in 1905 in Norwalk, Connecticut as a manufacturer of liquid ring vacuum pumps.
History
During the early years, NASH developed vacuum stream heating systems and vacuum sewage collection systems for many of the growing USA cities. NASH also developed vacuum pumps which were applied in the manufacture of pulp and paper. During the mid-20th century, NASH continued expanding into industrial markets such as paper, power, petrochemical, general industrial and food markets.
In the early 1960s Nash discontinued sales for commercial markets–vacuum heating and sewage collection–to concentrate on the industrial markets. Constant growth continued up to the U.S. recession in 1982. During that time, NASH increased their investment in R&D rather than cutting back as many U.S. companies had done.
In 2002, Nash Engineering attracted private equity finance from Audax (Boston) and merged with Siemens to become Nash Elmo. A 2004 acquisition by Gardner Denver Inc. resulted in Gardner Denver Nash.
Chronology of The Nash Engineering Company
- 1852 Lewis H. Nash is born in Norwalk
- 1877 LHN graduates valedictorian from Stevens Institute of Technology | Begins work at the National Meter Company in Brooklyn, NY where he becomes Chief Engineer and responsible for many of the company’s patents.
- 1905 The Nash Engineering Company founded in Brooklyn, NY by Lewis H. Nash (age 53) to develop air pump.
- 1908 Production starts in South Norwalk on second floor of Water Street building
- 1909 Irving C. Jennings is hired part-time to help in testing pump technology, receiving pay in stock.
- 1910 Lewis H. Nash files first US patent for liquid ring vacuum pumps and compressors
- 1911 Production and sales begun in South Norwalk, with six employees | First floor of factory on Wilson Avenue in South Norwalk constructed
- 1914 Harold L. Nash, son, graduates from Stevens and joins the Company | Lewis Nash (age 62) severs connection to National Meter Company to devote full time to Nash Engineering | US Patent 1,091,529 granted for “Pump & Air Compressor” (the first US liquid ring vacuum pump and compressor patent)
- 1918-19 Upper three floors constructed of Wilson Avenue building
- 1921 The Nash Engineering Company is incorporated in Connecticut | NY corporation is dissolved. | Lewis Nash receives honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering from Stevens Institute
- 1921 The Nash Engineering Company names E.W. Klein & Company in Atlanta as first manufacturer's representative
- 1922 Lewis Nash elected Representative to Connecticut State Legislature
- 1923 Lewis Nash dies on November 17 (age 71 | Irving C. Jennings appointed President
- 1924 The Nash Engineering Co. of Canada, Ltd. organized
- 1931 Nash Engineering Company (Great Britain) Ltd. organized
- 5 License Agreement established in Finland with Karhula Mekaniska Verkstad (Ahlstrom)
- 1949 Ben Nash graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic and joins Company full time
- 1958 Douglas Nash elected President with Irving Jennings as Honorary Chairman of the Board
- 1962 Benjamin Nash elected President, Douglas and Harold Nash retire and remain as | Nash do Brasil established
- 1963 Nash International Company (NIC) organized | Nash-Hytor established in Sweden | Motala Verkstad becomes subcontract manufacturer in Sweden
- 1967 St. Louis Service Center completed | Nash de Belgique established and construction begun | Vienna sales office established
- 1969 GB headquarters transferred from Croyden, Surrey to Winsford, Chesire | Plant opened in Gembloux, Belgium in April | Further investment for expansion of Nash do Brasil
- 1971 Denver office opened
- 1975 Irving C. Jennings dies in July after 66 years of service for the Company
- 1976 New manufacturing plant constructed in St. Peters, Mo. | Begin construction of Nash do Brasil plant in Campinas
- 1978 Ben Nash dies in March (age 56) | Company repurchases stock held by Jennings Family
- 1979 Open 7,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Burlington, Ontario
- 1980 Expansions include adding 10,000 sq. ft. to Nash do Brasil’s 20,000 sq. ft.; Ontario plant doubled to 14,000 sq. ft. | Birmingham, Alabama sale office established
- 1984 904 Pump released to market
- 1986 Acquisition of Kinema
- 1987 Nash Korea office established | Airborne business sold | Purchase Clark & Vicario, includes 50% of CVN Systems | 12,000 sq. ft. facility in Korea completed | Double Nash Kinema to 18,000 sq. ft.
- 1989 Parts Distribution Center opened in St. Peters, MO (20,000 sq. ft.)| Nash do Brasil plant doubled to 60,000 sq. ft. | Nash GB in Winsford adds 13,000 sq. ft. | Singapore Office opens
- 1990 Purchase other 50% of CVN Systems | Liquidation of Nash de Belgique | Branch opened in Japan | Australian subsidiary established
- 1993 Purchase of properties in Trumbull and begin relocation from Norwalk
- 1995 Relocation from Norwalk to Trumbull completed | Decision made to close manufacturing in Great Britain
- 2002 Nash Engineering merged with Siemens to become nash_elmo
- 2003 Nash elmo sold CVN Systems to Vooner Flogard Vacuum Pumps
- 2004 Nash_elmo acquired by Gardner Denver, becoming Gardner Denver Nash
External links
Categories:- Companies based in Fairfield County, Connecticut
- Companies established in 1905
- Liquid ring vacuum pumps
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