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History of Trane Air Conditioning
In 1864, a Norwegian immigrant by the name of James Trane settled in LaCrosse, Wisconsin where he made a living as a plumber and pipe fitter. Twenty one years later, James opened his own plumbing business. Partnering with his son, Reuben, who had earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin, the Trane company began to take on a life of its own. With Reuben’s leadership, the Trane company grew to become one of LaCrosse’s largest manufacturing companies, expanding first to Pennsylvania, then across the border to Canada; finally, multi-national.
After incorporating the business in 1913, the Trane Vapor Heating a new type of low-pressure steam heating device was produced. By 1916, the plumbing business was a past effort for the Tranes. Since they already produced valves and traps for radiators, James and Reuben began to redirect their focus to manufacturing heating products. In 1925, the convector radiator was invented. By replacing the old, bulky cast iron radiators with a light weight sheet metal cabinet, heat transfer became more efficient. Today's HVAC industry still regards this early design concept as the most widely used in regards to heat exchangers.
Trane air conditioning products were sold only through wholesalers. Reuben realizing the need for a new sales approach established The Trane Graduate Engineer Training Program in 1925. The company looked to the best colleges and university to recruit its graduates for a six month post graduate training that would well prepare them for sales or management positions within the company, a first of its kind. Later, this same program would be duplicated with business graduates. By highly training a new sales force, world wide opportunities opened up for the Trane air conditioning company. Trane air conditioning experienced tremendous growth in sales. Then, the Depression hit.
Times proved difficult; few jobs were to be had in the area of heating and air conditioning. However, a few loyal employees helped Trane through the trying times. Trane began to manufacture fans for its own heating, ventilating, and Trane air conditioning. In 1938, the Turbovac (known today as the CenTraVac chiller) was developed. The most popular users of Trane air conditioning during the Depression were movie theaters and grocery stores.
World War II provided a remarkable opportunity for Trane. A new method of brazing aluminum was developed by Trane as well as designing a new type of heat exchanger known as an intercooler. Now planes could fly higher and faster than before and could meet the challenge of the Germans. After World War II, new ideas began to emerge for Trane.
Trane air conditioning company was self-contained as far as research, testing, manufacturing, testing and marketing. Trane air conditioning company had handled it all since 1913, and very successfully. It was now time to make changes. One such change was the discontinuation of their truck and trailer refrigeration products as well as eliminating boilers from their product line. In 1983, they merged with a refrigeration company from Michigan. There was also the need for several acquisitions in order to maintain company growth as well as enter the world of control systems.
To avoid hostile takeover, Trane air conditioning sought out American Standard. In 1984, Trane air conditioning operated as a subsidiary of American Standard, Inc., New York. Although American Standard underwent major buyouts during the 90s, Trane was left to operate on its own by adjusting its global resources and improving financial performance while at the same time improving quality. In 2007, American Standard changed its name to Trane. Now, a part of Ingersoll Rand, Trane continues innovative growth to carry on what James and Reuben Trane envisioned over a century ago because "Nothing can stop a Trane
After incorporating the business in 1913, the Trane Vapor Heating a new type of low-pressure steam heating device was produced. By 1916, the plumbing business was a past effort for the Tranes. Since they already produced valves and traps for radiators, James and Reuben began to redirect their focus to manufacturing heating products. In 1925, the convector radiator was invented. By replacing the old, bulky cast iron radiators with a light weight sheet metal cabinet, heat transfer became more efficient. Today's HVAC industry still regards this early design concept as the most widely used in regards to heat exchangers.
Trane air conditioning products were sold only through wholesalers. Reuben realizing the need for a new sales approach established The Trane Graduate Engineer Training Program in 1925. The company looked to the best colleges and university to recruit its graduates for a six month post graduate training that would well prepare them for sales or management positions within the company, a first of its kind. Later, this same program would be duplicated with business graduates. By highly training a new sales force, world wide opportunities opened up for the Trane air conditioning company. Trane air conditioning experienced tremendous growth in sales. Then, the Depression hit.
Times proved difficult; few jobs were to be had in the area of heating and air conditioning. However, a few loyal employees helped Trane through the trying times. Trane began to manufacture fans for its own heating, ventilating, and Trane air conditioning. In 1938, the Turbovac (known today as the CenTraVac chiller) was developed. The most popular users of Trane air conditioning during the Depression were movie theaters and grocery stores.
World War II provided a remarkable opportunity for Trane. A new method of brazing aluminum was developed by Trane as well as designing a new type of heat exchanger known as an intercooler. Now planes could fly higher and faster than before and could meet the challenge of the Germans. After World War II, new ideas began to emerge for Trane.
Trane air conditioning company was self-contained as far as research, testing, manufacturing, testing and marketing. Trane air conditioning company had handled it all since 1913, and very successfully. It was now time to make changes. One such change was the discontinuation of their truck and trailer refrigeration products as well as eliminating boilers from their product line. In 1983, they merged with a refrigeration company from Michigan. There was also the need for several acquisitions in order to maintain company growth as well as enter the world of control systems.
To avoid hostile takeover, Trane air conditioning sought out American Standard. In 1984, Trane air conditioning operated as a subsidiary of American Standard, Inc., New York. Although American Standard underwent major buyouts during the 90s, Trane was left to operate on its own by adjusting its global resources and improving financial performance while at the same time improving quality. In 2007, American Standard changed its name to Trane. Now, a part of Ingersoll Rand, Trane continues innovative growth to carry on what James and Reuben Trane envisioned over a century ago because "Nothing can stop a Trane
