COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3443

Fabricated Plate Work-Boiler Shops

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

22companies1903–1992founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedHarley-Davidson, Inc.FoundedHarley-Davidson, Inc.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBethlehem Steel CorporationFoundedBethlehem Steel Corporation
1904
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
FoundedFansteel Inc.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedGEA AGFoundedGEA AG
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.FoundedAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
1940
FoundedKoch Industries, Inc.
1942
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedChemi-Trol Chemical Co.FoundedChemi-Trol Chemical Co.
1952
FoundedHarsco CorporationFoundedHarsco Corporation
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
FoundedFramatome SA
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedLindsay Manufacturing Co.FoundedLindsay Manufacturing Co.
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1980
EnvironmentSuperfund law makes polluters pay for cleanup.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1989
EnvironmentThe Exxon Valdez spill reshapes energy and shipping rules.
1990
EnvironmentThe Clean Air Act amendments tighten emissions limits.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedChart Industries, Inc.
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
EnvironmentThe Deepwater Horizon spill triggers sweeping energy rules.
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Harley-Davidson, Inc. →
Active · founded 1903
The only motorcycle manufacturer in the United States, Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. →
Active · founded 1903
The only motorcycle manufacturer in the United States, Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Bethlehem Steel Corporation →
Active · founded 1904
Bethlehem Steel Corporation is the second largest steel producer in the United States, with control of supply sources,…
Bethlehem Steel Corporation →
Active · founded 1904
Bethlehem Steel Corporation is the second largest steel producer in the United States, with control of supply sources,…
Fansteel Inc. →
Active · founded 1914
Fansteel Inc.
Fansteel Inc. →
Active · founded 1914
Fansteel Inc.
GEA AG →
Active · founded 1920 · Germany
GEA AG is one of the world's leading suppliers for food and process engineering, and thermal engineering technology.
GEA AG →
Active · founded 1920 · Germany
GEA AG is one of the world's leading suppliers for food and process engineering, and thermal engineering technology.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. →
Active · founded 1940
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. →
Active · founded 1940
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Koch Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1942
Koch Industries, Inc., a diversified petrochemical company, is the second-largest privately held firm in the United…
Koch Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1942
Koch Industries, Inc., a diversified petrochemical company, is the second-largest privately held firm in the United…
Chemi-Trol Chemical Co. →
Active · founded 1952
Headquartered in a small, northwest Ohio community of 2,500 people, Chemi-Trol Chemical Co.
Chemi-Trol Chemical Co. →
Active · founded 1952
Headquartered in a small, northwest Ohio community of 2,500 people, Chemi-Trol Chemical Co.
Harsco Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
Harsco Corporation was formed in 1956 as the result of a merger between Harrisburg Steel Corporation, Heckett…
Harsco Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
Harsco Corporation was formed in 1956 as the result of a merger between Harrisburg Steel Corporation, Heckett…
Framatome SA →
Active · founded 1958 · France
Framatome SA is a diversified, international manufacturing company and also the world leader in nuclear power…
Framatome SA →
Active · founded 1958 · France
Framatome SA is a diversified, international manufacturing company and also the world leader in nuclear power…
Lindsay Manufacturing Co. →
Active · founded 1969
Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
Lindsay Manufacturing Co. →
Active · founded 1969
Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
Chart Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Chart Industries, Inc.
Chart Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Chart Industries, Inc.
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