John Crane has a strong legacy that dates back to the creation of the Crane Packing Company in 1917. Prior to World War II, the company’s England-based operations were sold to Tube Investments, which resulted in the creation of TI Group. Then in 1987, TI Group acquired the remaining regional operations and the company reunited as John Crane — named after one of the company’s original founders. In 2000, TI Group merged with Smiths Industries to become Smiths Group plc, a global technology company based in London. Today, John Crane is the largest subsidiary of Smiths Group plc.

1930s–1970s — John Crane has achieved many landmark successes through the years, including the design of the world’s first automotive mechanical seal in 1949. The innovative design was soon followed by the development and introduction of the John Crane Type 1, end-face, elastomer bellows shaft seal. This patented product revolutionized sealing technology and is still one of the most widely used seals in the industry.

1980s — John Crane introduced the Type 28, non-contacting, gas-lubricated seal — another breakthrough in sealing technology. It has been used to seal pipeline compressor stations in locations as diverse as the mountains of western Canada, the deserts of the Middle East and the jungles of the Far East.

1990s — John Crane developed non-contacting sealing technology for pumps that handle environmentally sensitive liquids. Applying this technology to a standard American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or American Petroleum Institute (API) pump allows users to meet or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA) stringent regulations for hazardous emissions.

The company’s interest in R&D and growth through strategic investment led to the acquisition of three sealing companies in 1998 — Sealol, Safematic and Flexibox. These additions extended John Crane`s global reach and expanded its product portfolio to include high-quality welded metal bellows seals; proven sealing and lubrication products for the pulp and paper market; and high-temperature and high-pressure cartridge seals for pipeline and refinery applications. The company’s seal support system portfolio grew again with the later acquisition of Lemco.

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