A LONG TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN STEAM SERVICES
Stickle Steam has a proud history as a family-owned business for over 100 years.
1905 A MAN WITH A DREAM
Cole A Stickle, previously a sawmill owner with imagination and determination had invented and patented the Stickle Heater Purifier Deaerator. In 1906, This man sat on a park bench and stopped passerbys trying to interest them in investing in his dream.
1907 INVESTMENT PARTNERS FOUND
The Langsenkamp family, who owned a foundry brassworks machine shop in Indianapolis, Indiana USA understood Cole's dream. The Open Coil and Purifier Company was incorporated in 1907, and started its production at 502 South Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis, with Cole A. Stickle appointed president.
1923 NEW NAME & EXPANSION
On January 21, 1923 the name was changed to Stickle Steam Specialties because of the expansion of the company into other areas of steam products, such as steam traps and valves. In 1925 the current building was constructed.
1934 MANAGEMENT TRANSITIONS BUT STILL IN THE FAMILY
John B. Stickle, Cole's son, took over as president after his father's death in November of 1934. F. A Stickle, Cole's nephew and the eastern representative for Stickle Steam assumed the presidency after Cole's untimely death in an automobile accident.
WWII EXPANSION PERIOD INTO THE 50's AND 60's
U.S. Government called on Stickle Steam to produce the plants to heat their barracks on Army and Navy bases around the country, thus earning Stickle Steam the "Army Navy E Flag" for efficiency and their contribution to the war effort. After the war, Stickle developed a spray / tray type deaerator which is still a key equipment type today.
1970 TRANSITION TO ANOTHER GENERATION
In 1970, Cole A Stickle, F. A's middle son, took over the presidency after his father's death. Under his guidance Stickle Steam flourished, even when forced to drop their traps and valve lines due to the closing of foundries and casting facilities throughout the Midwest.
1976 HERE COMES "BUD" STICKLE
R. H. (Bud) Stickle, Cole's nephew, became President of the company after the unexpected passing of his uncle Cole. Bud, now in retirement, ran the company with the same "hands on" approach of his Great Great Uncle Cole, helping to build and manufacture every Stickle Steam deaerator unit, making sure that his family name continued their reputation for excellence.
21st CENTURY STICKLE STEAM SPECIALTIES
Today R. Chad Stickle, son of R.H. "Bud", and E.H. "Libby" Stickle (wife of Chad) are in the process of taking the company to the next level, Chad is a Purdue graduate and Libby is a Digital Marketing graduate from Purdue. They are bringing technology and modern innovation to the company like never before. Burgeoning growth under their leadership is guaranteeing success for our customers and Stickle Steam Specialties into the next century.
SAME & DIFFERENT- BOTH ARE GOOD
Stickle Steam Specialties is still a family run business. In 1906, Cole could have hardly imagined his dream growing to international status with units in many countries around the world including: Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Mexico, England, and Canada.
Thanks for taking time to read about our history.
We are proud of our tradition of excellence, dreams for the future and planning how we can stay on the leading edge of tomorrow, designing and building for the needs of generations to come...
We hope this inspires you to the sort of greatness and longevity we have achieved.
Sincerely,
The Stickle Steam Team