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Cover Story 160 years of Crane Values

Untitled-1 1 11/27/2014 5:18:22 PM ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN THE VALVE WORLD MAGAZINE INTERNATIONAL EDITION, DECEMBER 2014 160 Years of Crane Values By Aneta Stephens Director, Global Marketing Communications Crane ChemPharma & Energy [email protected]  Crane Co.

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Time, 1952 Crane’s Newsletter “The Valve World” Circa 1908, Showcasing Bridgeport Works 160 years of Crane Values

What is a valve? The Merriam Webster dictionary defi nes it as a mechanical device that controls the fl ow of liquid, gas, etc., by opening and closing. While this may defi ne its mechanical properties, it does not adequately refl ect its importance in our lives. A heart valve may fail, resulting in life-critical consequences. In recorded history, it is claimed that the fi rst users of manufactured valves were the Romans, who used a “plug type” valve with metal-to-metal seating surfaces. As in any human endeavor, there were a few pioneers who championed the development of valve technology, using new materials and new principles of operation. One such pioneer was Richard Teller Crane, who started one of the earliest valve manufacturing operations.

alves (in all their variants) are In its anniversary edition of Crane’s a successful company must adhere to a indispensable for life, and equally, history book, there is a quote by Ralph set of values. He treated every customer, Vfor our advancing civilization. In our Waldo Emerson: “Every great institution competitor, supplier and employee with technologically modern day, the proper is the lengthened shadow of a single man. the utmost respect, knowing that his or fl ow and mixing of inputs at the right His character determines the character her commitment would result in a better volumes and timing is of vital importance. of the organization.” This sentiment might product. Unwanted emissions may damage the have been more appropriately conveyed Many decades before companies adopted environment, or even cause injury or by saying that there must be an idea such practices, R.T. Crane organized a death. (which might be introduced by a man or picnic for his employees that required 16 As in any human endeavor, there were a woman) that fi lls a need. A concept that special trains of 10 cars each just to bring a few pioneers who championed the is needed by humanity, and the delivery of them all together along with spouses development of valve technology, using that solution must be done in an ethical (that was more than 100 years ago!) to new materials and new principles of manner (essentially, meaning that the celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. operation. One such pioneer was Richard value for customers must warrant their R.T. Crane was a visionary with enlightened Teller Crane, who started one of the willingness to purchase certain valves – ideas that were advanced even by today’s earliest valve manufacturing operations in valves must deliver value, while complying standards. It might be unexpected to say America (in 1855, before the Civil War), with what is “right.”). that since July 4, 1855, the ethical principles and over the course of Crane’s (the of Richard Teller Crane have held and company’s) history, many innovations were Ethical Value formed the “backbone” of the company. introduced and adopted by everyone else Decades, if not centuries, ahead of his Today, the ethical principles of R.T. Crane in the valve industry. time, Richard Teller Crane realized that still hold, and continue to inspire a pride

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Circa 1940s Time, 1951 Circa 1905 in the workmanship that produces its why Crane adopted the use of Tefl on® The fi rst large contract valves and other Crane products. In fact, in its products for corrosive and abrasive In 1858, Crane landed its fi rst major those values directly contribute to Crane’s applications, among many other inventions. contract to supply the steam-heating profi tability as a company. Those values, PTFE (polytetrafl uoroethylene, Tefl on being system for the Cook County courthouse to put it in modern terms, are a part of a commercial brand name owned by E.I. in Chicago. The $6,000 contract was the Crane’s value proposition. Crane designs, DuPont de Nemours) became a material of largest of its kind in the region. Richard builds, and tests valves to ensure the choice for many Crane valve components, had invited his brother to join him in his utmost quality of each valve, and has done such as liners and gaskets, etc. Low surface business, and in 1865, they built a grand this for over a century. tension (being extremely low for Tefl on) also factory in Chicago that housed the fi rst The critical purpose and nature of valves allows for lower viscosity (“stickiness”) of malleable iron foundry west of Pittsburgh, is why your choice of valve has far- fl uids passing through it. It should be noted and served as the Company headquarters reaching consequences. And one ought to here that Tefl on is highly hydrophobic (it until 1915. make that choice based on information does not permit water [or, for that matter, that has been validated in the fi eld. virtually any liquid] to adhere to it). Astoundingly, Crane has “motion picture” videos of its valve production lines from the Richard Teller Crane had a short 1920s, which will be shown at its upcoming childhood compared to most of us. His tradeshows. While the production father died when he was 9 years old, and methodology may appear somewhat Richard had to work in a cotton mill to antiquated (in part owing to limitations of help support his family, working 12-hour camera technology of the day), you will shifts. He got introduced to industries that discover an amazing fact. Already, back then, relied on metallurgy when he became an the production was automated and each apprentice at a brass and bell foundry in valve was tested to ensure it performed as Brooklyn. In 1854, work had begun on the advertised. That was almost 100 years ago! transcontinental railroad, and Chicago was The history of Crane is the history of seen as the link between the East and the valves in America. It may not go as far West. R.T. Crane launched his one-man back as the Romans, but it coincides with business in Chicago on Independence the history of the Industrial Revolution Day in 1855, even fi ring up his furnace on in America. The ingenuity of America is that day. Richard was 23 years old at the built into the history of the development time. Crane’s fi rst big break came with of technologies of Crane valves. Crane its ability to deliver products to freight recognized that there were other brilliant car manufacturers while others struggled In early 1900s Crane Co. introduced pop safety inventors and technologies in other fi elds, (they were not able to secure copper valves and drainage fi ttings, and steam and oil from which Crane could learn. That is which Crane managed to do). separators, among others.

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CRANE building in Chicago, early 1900s CRANE Employee Celebration, 1905

In 1867, Crane added a new line of time) the fi rst signifi cant improvement in with original historically signifi cant images business: steam-powered elevators. Crane the molding process in centuries, and is and drawings). eventually sold that business in 1898, and considered to be the fi rst line production Having adopted R.T. Crane’s values, it merged with others to form the Otis system in the metal-working fi eld. successive generations of Crane’s Elevator Company (the one known for Working with the conviction that there management continued the drive toward its innovation that prevented its elevators must be principles and processes that would greater automation and standardization from falling even if the cable did not hold). guide humanity’s technological endeavors, of internal processes which eventually Crane Co. opened its fi rst branch offi ce in R.T. Crane published, in 1896, a book became today’s Crane Business System. Omaha, Nebraska, in 1884. Its success led with the title “Standard Metals.” It detailed Crane to open several others throughout where and how metals are found, the way Guiding the Industry the country. they are produced (extracted and refi ned), Crane recognized early that the design R.T. Crane realized that a successful and how they can be used in “mechanics.” of piping systems incorporating valves had industrial business would have to rely In mid-1908, Crane published “The Valve to be done based on an understanding of on automation and standardization (of World” periodical that showed, on its front the principles governing the fl ow of fl uids both manufacturing and other business page, the Bridgeport plant (which became (and other media that can be conveyed processes). The Company’s engineers the “Crane Valve Company”). Every year via a pipe and controlled by valves). For devised a steam-powered conveyor since its inception in 1855, there were new this purpose, Crane developed its Technical system for moving metals and molds inventions, new processes, new products, Paper No. 410 (TP-410), which is generally and for pouring hot molten metals, and and new acquisitions. The list is rather long, recognized as the quintessential guide to constructed a merry-go-round casting and is best read in Crane’s anniversary understanding the fl ow of fl uid through machine, which is believed to be (at the books where they are described (along valves, pipes and fi ttings, enabling you to select the correct equipment for your piping system. Originally developed in 1942, the latest edition of Crane TP-410 has been fully updated to refl ect the latest knowledge and research in the fl uid handling industry. The TP-410 has served as an indispensable technical resource for over 70 years to specifying engineers, designers and engineering students. It is all part of Crane’s never-ending quest for automation and standardization. Simplifi cation might be another principle, for which reason Crane recommends a website that does the calculations (called for in its TP-410 and is a “companion” to it) one needs to make in designing (and Circa late 1800s especially optimizing) systems utilizing fl ow of fl uids (www.TP410.com).

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A strong past leads to in the world today. Crane also recognizes, So what was the primary ethical principle a stronger future in fairness and with respect, its several that Richard Teller Crane committed Today, Crane Co. is a diversifi ed competitors who have had a long history to in writing on July 4th, 1855? – “I am manufacturer of highly engineered as well, and salutes their accomplishments. resolved to conduct my business in the industrial goods and equipment, delivering It is to be expected that at times valve strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all products and solutions to customers pioneers learn from each other. deception and trickery; to deal fairly with in the chemical, petrochemical, power Valves are here to stay. They play a vital both customers and competitors; to be generation, refi ning, aerospace, electronics, part in our biology and our technology. liberal and just toward employees, and to automated merchandising, transportation Perhaps we do not hear about them as put my whole mind upon the business.” and other markets. The Company offers much as we might otherwise, because they And so he did. a wide range of products including check are taken for granted. We expect them to valves, sleeved plug valves, lined valves, work, and to never fail. And, if chosen and The recently updated Technical Paper TP- process ball valves, high performance maintained properly, they keep on doing 410 (Flow of Fluids) is a technical resource butterfl y valves, bellows sealed globe the jobs they were designed to do. for engineers, designers and engineering valves, aseptic and industrial diaphragmiaphragm students that explains the fl ow of fl uids through valves, pipe and fi ttings to aid in valves, multi / quarter-turn valves,ves, the appropriate selection of equipment for actuation, sight glasses, lined pipe,ipe, fi ttinttingsgs piping systems. The recent edition marks and hoses, and air operated diaphragmiaphragm the introduction of a companion website and peristaltic pumps. Crane hhasas containing a suite of web-based tools that solve equations found within the paper. approximately 11,000 employeesyees across www.TP410.com the globe. Crane Co. has beenn traded on the New York Stock Exchangee (N(NYSE:CR)YSE:CR) since 1936. Crane and its valves encompassass manmanyy lives and families, and their many endeavorsndeavors whose results are here with uss todtoday.ay. While it may be true that mostst advances are made by people “standingg on the shoulders of giants” – as R.T. CCranerane was in his fi eld, it is also true that “Cranerane peoplpeople”e” that followed made the companypany what it has become. In 2015, Cranee will have celebrated its 160-year history,y, which, in a sense, will also be a celebrationtion ooff all its customers, employees and stakeholders.akeholders. R.T. Crane published this text in 1896 on The knowledge base compriseded ooff where metals are found, the manner of the combined experience of CCranerane their production, their character, and their employees is likely broader thanan any otheotherr uses in mechanics.

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06_Cover Story.indd 27 26-Nov-14 9:15:40 PM 1855 2015

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