Main Directory of brands and manufacturers SEALMASTER


SEALMASTER

Emerson Industrial Automation

  • Headquarters

  • 8000 West Florissant Avenue, P.O. Box 4100 , St. Louis , MO 63136 USA
USA

  • Established time

  • 1890

  • Number of employees

  • 10000+

  • Products

  • Bearings, Industry

1935-1946: Origins and Early Manufacturing

  • The Sealmaster bearing was introduced in 1935.
  • Initial manufacturing involved external production of bearing inserts, assembled at Stephens-Adamson's Aurora plant.
  • By 1946, demand prompted the construction of a dedicated Sealmaster manufacturing facility.
  • Mr. Shafer contributed several innovations:
    • Locking pin and dimple system to prevent outer race rotation and ensure lubrication.
    • Land riding brass retainer to reduce ball wear.
    • Felt-lined flinger seal for dirt protection.
    • Zone-hardened inner race for durability, enabling easy installation.

1966-1969: Expansion and Corporate Changes

  • A new plant and office were built on a 40-acre site in Aurora, IL.
  • In 1969, Borg-Warner acquired Stephens-Adamson, integrating it into Morse® Chain Division in Ithaca, NY.
  • Morse, established in 1898, was prominent in bicycle and automotive chains, especially in engine timing applications.

1983: Power Transmission Solutions® Formation

  • Morse Industrial became part of Power Transmission Solutions.
  • The company managed two bearing brands: Browning® and Sealmaster.
  • Due to FTC regulations, the Browning mounted ball bearing business was sold to Hub City, but Power Transmission Solutions retained the Browning brand.
  • Browning's origins date back to 1896, initially focusing on pulleys, expanding into belts, sheaves, bushings, sprockets, gears, and speed reducers.

1986-Present: Corporate Consolidation and Product Line Expansion

  • Power Transmission Solutions restructured into Power Transmission Corporation, consolidating various brands.
  • Current products include mounted and unmounted bearings:
    • Mounted: Sealmaster Ball and Roller, Browning Ball and Roller, System Plast® Ball, Rod Ends.
    • Unmounted: Spherical Bearings, McGill® Aircraft and Needle Roller Bearings, Cam Followers, Rollway® Angular Contact, Tapered Roller Thrust, Metric Cylindrical Rollers, Spherical Roller Bearings.

Today: Focus on Performance and Innovation

  • Sealmaster remains committed to high-performance, specialty bearings.
  • Development of problem-solving products like corrosion-resistant beverage bearings exemplifies ongoing innovation.

This history highlights the growth from a specialized bearing manufacturer to a key player in power transmission, with continuous innovation and strategic corporate changes fueling its evolution.