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Parker ’ s Refrigerating Specialties Division celebrates 100 years
Last year , Parker ’ s Refrigerating Specialties Division marked the momentous occasion by assembling its US-based employees for a picnic at the Mauston plant . The division ’ s marketing team gave a presentation that outlined the company ’ s history during the centennial picnic .
Founded in 1916 by Charles C Hansen in Forest Park , Illinois , Refrigerating Specialties Co . began as a producer of various ammonia valves for refrigeration applications . Within its first five years , the company was a critical supplier to a number of customers , some of whom — such as Frick Company , Howe Ice Machine Company , and Vogt — remain customers today .
Just as Parker transformed its production to help the war effort during World War II , so did Refrigerating Specialties Co . produce landing gear parts for Allied warplanes in the 1940s .
Hansen ’ s son and eventually grandson took over the family business and led it to great growth and prosperity through the 1960s . Outgrowing its production facility in Forest Park , Refrigerating Specialties opened a manufacturing and sales headquarters in Broadview , Illinois in 1964 . Its administrative offices are still based there today .
By 1975 , Refrigerating Specialties reached USD5-million in annual sales . The following year , Parker acquired the company to fill critical gaps in its valve product line to serve industrial customers .
The division ’ s growth continued following this acquisition . By 1980 , annual sales had reached USD10-million , and by 1995 , USD25-million . The division continued to add and improve product lines to meet its customers ’ needs .
During the 1990s , Refrigerating Specialties focused on quality improvement initiatives and added the SPORT valve line to address commercial refrigeration business . It also achieved ISO 9001 certification and added square footage to its Mauston production facility .
These improvements positioned the division to turn more of its attention to global markets . In 2005 , Parker acquired Herl based in Cologne , Germany , which helped grow the division ’ s presence in Europe . In 2012 , Refrigerating Specialties opened operations in Wuxi , China .
With a 100-year history comes a unique perspective on the future of industrial refrigeration . Refrigerating Specialties continues to innovate and adapt its products to the current and future needs of the market . In 2014 , the company commissioned an ammonia test facility in its Broadview headquarters , which allows for research and development into new products and control technologies . With the introduction of the P-Series of weldin control valves in 2015 , the company ensured its long-term strategy of supplying valves for the global refrigeration market would continue to be a successful one .
While these were significant steps for Refrigerating Specialties , it has been serving global customers for a century . As part of its centennial celebration , the company recognised a number of its distributors , some of whom have worked with Refrigerating Specialties for 50 years , during Chillventa in Germany .
Drew Stock , product manager for Refrigerating Specialties , remarked on the significance of this milestone , “ For Parker and for our division , customer service is paramount to our customers ’ success and to ours . We deal with a tough product
environment and we ’ ve got an important job : we ’ re keeping the world ’ s food supply safe ,” Stock said . “ Being around for 100 years means you ’ re doing a lot of things right .”
Andy Kuester , marketing manager for Refrigerating Specialties , adds , “ In honour of our centennial , Refrigerating Specialties would like to thank our employees , our customers , and Parker for their dedication and continued support throughout the years .”
Jack Agencies awarded for 30 years ’ service As part of the 100th celebration , the Refrigerating Specialties / Parker distributor in South Africa , Jack Agencies , received a plaque for their 30 years of commitment as the sole Refrigerating Specialties distributor in South Africa . John Ackermann accepted the plaque during a celebratory event held at Chillventa in Germany in October . CLA
The plaque that Jack Agencies received .
Parker
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Staff at the 100-year celebrations in the US .
www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • January | February 2017