TW Historical Mark 90 Year Anniversary

Taylor-Wharton: A History of Innovation and Excellence

Taylor-Wharton is a company that has been producing and supplying cryogenic equipment, applications, and support for over 270 years. The company has a rich and fascinating history that spans from the colonial era to the space age, and beyond.

The Birth of the Taylor-Wharton Logo

A defining moment in Taylor-Wharton’s history was the creation of its iconic logo, which happened in the early 1930s. This logo, still in use today, embodies the essence of the company’s mission: precision, durability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The Taylor-Wharton logo consists of a stylized “T” and “W” within an oval shape, subtly depicting a steel pressure vessel. This logo mark has been a symbol of trust and quality for an impressive 90 years.

The 90th anniversary of Taylor-Wharton’s historical logo mark is a celebration of not only the company’s longevity but also its commitment to excellence. As the world continues to depend on cryogenic equipment for essential industries, Taylor-Wharton’s legacy remains a testament to the enduring importance of innovation, quality, and progress.

The Beginnings: Union Iron Works

Taylor-Wharton traces its roots to the Union Iron Works, established in 1742 by William Allen and Joseph Turner, two prominent businessmen from Philadelphia. The Union Iron Works was located at what is now High Bridge, New Jersey, and was one of the first ironworks in America. The ironworks produced various iron products, such as nails, tools, pots, and stoves, for the local market.

In 1803, Robert Taylor, an Irish immigrant who had been the works manager since 1769, purchased control of the company and renamed it Taylor Iron Works. Taylor expanded the production and diversified the products of the ironworks, making it one of the leading iron manufacturers in the country.

The Railroad Era: Taylor Iron & Steel Company

In 1851, Taylor Iron Works produced a major innovation that changed the course of American history: manganese durable rails and wheels. These products enabled the expansion of railroads from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and eventually across the continent. The railroads facilitated trade, communication, migration, and development in America, and Taylor Iron Works was at the forefront of this transformation.

In 1854, Taylor Iron Works pioneered new metal forging techniques in North America, such as open-hearth furnaces and hydraulic presses. These techniques allowed to produce larger and stronger metal products, such as bridges, buildings, ships, and machinery.

In 1912, Taylor Iron & Steel Company was incorporated after Taylor Iron & Steel Company purchased William Wharton Co., another iron manufacturer based in Pennsylvania. The new company was named Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Company, and continued to produce high-quality iron and steel products for various industries.

The Cryogenic Era: Taylor-Wharton Cryogenics

In 1925, Taylor-Wharton entered a new field of technology: cryogenics. Cryogenics is the science of producing and using very low temperatures, usually below -150°C (-238°F). Cryogenics has many applications in fields such as medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and aerospace.

Taylor-Wharton developed technologies to store and transport liquid oxygen, which was in high demand for industrial use in America. The company also produced liquid nitrogen cylinders for medical purposes. In 1957, Taylor-Wharton launched its first insulated liquid cylinder, which could store and dispense liquid gases at low temperatures and high pressures.

In the 1960s, Taylor-Wharton provided cylinders for the Apollo missions, which successfully sent a man to the moon and returned him to earth safely. The cylinders contained liquid oxygen and hydrogen for fueling the rockets and providing life support for the astronauts.

In 1991, Taylor-Wharton Malaysia plant was built to manufacture cryogenic tanks. In 2016, Air Water Inc., an industrial gas company based in Japan, acquired 100% of the share of Taylor-Wharton Malaysia. In 2017-2018, Air Water Inc. also acquired Cryofin Pty Ltd and TOMCO2 Systems to further expand its comprehensive line of cryogenic equipment, applications, and support in the U.S. and globally. Additionally, Air Water Inc. partnered with DOHMEYER to drive expansion of their products into the U.S. market.

The Present and Future: Taylor-Wharton Cryogenics

Today, Taylor-Wharton is a global leader in cryogenics solutions. The company offers a wide range of products and services for various industries and sectors, such as industrial gas, hydrogen/LNG (liquefied natural gas), freezer applications (such as food preservation), oilfield (such as hydraulic fracturing), medical (such as cryotherapy), biotechnology (such as cell storage), aerospace (such as rocket propulsion), research (such as superconductivity), environmental (such as carbon capture), and more.

Taylor-Wharton is committed to its philosophy of innovation, quality, and excellence, and its vision of creating a better future for humanity through cryogenics. The company has a strong leadership team, a dedicated workforce, and a loyal customer base. The company also has a proud history of over 270 years, which is reflected in its slogan: “Standing together, we have stood the test of time”.