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Celebrating
100 Years in
Canada!
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TORONTO, ONTARIO - April 11th, 2006 - Crane Supply, a Crane Co.
Company, today announced the launch of its 100th anniversary celebrations.
Founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1906, Crane Supply will turn 100 years old
this year.
Throughout its initial 70 years, the Crane name in Canada grew
to include numerous plants and potteries, manufacturing everything mechanical,
from boilers and radiators, to valves and pumps. By the mid-1960s, the
distribution arm had grown to 16 Canadian branches, and lead to a
re-organization of subsidiary companies. In 1964 Crane Supply emerged as its
own operating division, focusing on the needs of mechanical customers,
including refineries, pulp mills, nuclear stations, mines, railroads, even
military vessels.
Over the years, Crane Supply has embraced a culture of
continuous improvement, perfecting internal processes that impact customer
service. Building on its ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation, the company has earned a
reputation among mechanical contractors for exceptional fill rates, on-time
delivery, knowledgeable staff and business integrity.
As the power of new technology materialized, Crane Supply
re-invented its commitment to quality and customers. The company entered the
21st Century as one of the first national industrial distributors to offer a
comprehensive E-Commerce site and later added Integrated Supply Solutions to
its list of services.
Today Crane Supply has grown to include 31 branches across
Canada situated in every major location, and employs over 400 people. The
company is a leading national wholesale distributor of pipe, valves, fittings
and accessories to professionals who design, install and maintain fluid
handling systems. Key market segments include Maintenance, Repair and
Operations (MRO) and Industrial and Commercial Mechanical Contractors.
The company has planned a number of regional events across
Canada throughout 2006 to commemorate this milestone with customers, suppliers
and employees.
Crane Co. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial
products. Crane Co. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CR).
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| 1906 |
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| First-ever branch opens in Winnipeg
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The history of Crane Canada begins with a
modest plumbing and heating wholesale business in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1906.
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| 1908
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| Second branch opens in Vancouver
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With the rapid development taking place in
Western Canada, the prosperous business opened another location just two years
later in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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| 1920's
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| Head office established in Montreal
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In 1921, Crane established a head office in
Montreal, from which its business was directed for the next forty years.
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| 16 branches open across Canada
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During the 1920's, Crane Supply established
itself as a national business, opening sixteen additional branches, spanning
from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
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| Strategic acquisitions
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The Crane name in Canada grew to include
numerous plants and potteries, manufacturing everything mechanical, from
boilers and radiators, to valves and pumps.
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| 1964
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| Crane's subsidiaries are re-organized into
operating divisions
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In a realignment of the organization, the
majority of the subsidiary companies became operating divisions, with head
offices transferred to Montreal. Crane emerged as its own operating division,
focusing on the needs of mechanical customers, including refineries, pulp
mills, nuclear stations, mines, railroads, even military vessels.
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1997
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| The company earns ISO 9001: 2000
accreditation |
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In 1997, Crane Supply reinforced its commitment
to customers through ISO 9001:2000 certification. Recognized internationally,
the accreditation is synonymous with quality management, motivated by customer
needs and business integrity. |
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1998
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| Crane Supply embraces Six Sigma management
principles
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In 1998, Crane demonstrated its commitment to
breakthrough improvements, adopting Six Sigma methods: a process improvement
program for achieving virtually error-free service and delivery.
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| The company introduces the Business Solutions
Division
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In an effort to create more value for its
customers, Crane entered the Materials, repairs and Operations (MRO) market in
1998. The Business Solutions group offered expertise in supply and inventory
management to help customers improve their own capacity for growth.
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2000
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| Crane Supply becomes the first industrial
distributor to offer E-Commerce
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Crane Supply entered the millennium as a
pioneer in e-commerce among industrial distributors. With the Internet
transforming all aspects of business, the company introduced "Crane Supply
Online", becoming faster, better, and easier to do business with.
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2003
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| Crane Supply integrates LEAN into its quality
management system
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As a complement to Six Sigma, the company added
lean tools to its quality management processes. Lean methods translate into
faster product flow, reduced response times and the ability to immediately
adapt to customer and market demands.
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