James Trane

James Alex Trane (April 29, 1857 in Tromso, Norway - January 24, 1936 in Los Angeles, California) was the co-founder of the company that bears his name, was an immigrant from Norway who settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1864, finding work as a steamfitter and plumber. In 1885, he opened his own store.

Reuben Trane, James' son, earned a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and joined his father's plumbing firm. In 1913, James and Reuben incorporated The Trane Company now Trane Inc.

By 1916, the Tranes were no longer in the plumbing business, but rather were focusing their attention on manufacturing heating products. Trane's first air conditioning unit was developed in 1931.

In 1984, Trane was acquired by American Standard Inc. In 2007, American Standard Companies sold its non-HVAC operations and renamed itself Trane Inc.