THE ALEMITE STORY
It may be surprising to learn how many of today's lubrication practices are less than 100 years old. From the grease gun and grease fittings to service stations and lube trucks, the last 100 years have been filled with innovations that Alemite has either pioneered or refined as vital components for the lubrication industry.
Alemite products have quietly been a major part of many of the world's essential industries. Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, automotive, pulp and paper, aircraft maintenance, marine and mining industries have benefitted from the innovations introduces since its founding in 1918. It all started with a solution for a routine, daily task.
In 1916, a young man named Arthur Gullborg was tasked with the duty of lubricating the die-casting machines at the Alemite Die Casting and Manufacturing plant where his father was part owner. At the time, the only way to service the machines was to add oil into their refilling cups several times a day. This equipment was located in hot, dirty and unsafe conditions. At the end of his shift, Arthur was exhausted and covered in oil and grime. He knew there had to be a better way.
THE BRANDING OF A HOUSEHOLD NAME
One of the early marketing campaigns introduced the importance of proper lubrication for automobiles. During that time, many individuals were servicing their own vehicles. The campaign became a very successful tool for Alemite, and soon many automobiles were equipped with Alemite fittings. Some models even included an Alemite “grease gun” as standard equipment. As a result of the marketing campaign, automobile owners learned that the grease gun was as indispensable as the tire iron and spark plug wrench.
As automobiles became more affordable, gasoline stations began to see a way to capitalize on other aspects of the automobile industry. Many of them quickly changed into “service” stations, relieving the automobile owner of the disagreeable task of lubrication. Recognizing this, Alemite introduced the H-15 hand-operated lubrication pump, further facilitating the transition from gasoline station to service station.
PORTABLE PROGRESS & POSTWAR INNOVATIONS
By 1930, industrial equipment and large machinery were becoming more common, and the need to lubricate machinery “in the field” led Alemite to develop the “portable service station” for the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Multiple lubrication pumps, hose reels and a variety of other equipment needed for field service were mounted permanently on the bed of a truck. This concept led to U.S. military services requesting custom-designed units in vast numbers before and during World War II. These “lube trucks” became commonplace and are still used by various industries and construction companies today.
Progress continued during World War II as industry was moving faster. The need for efficient and continuous operations became apparent. Alemite made advancements in several industries with lubrication tools and products. From fittings and pumps to various oil-based fluids, the Alemite name and its influence quickly became common. So common, in fact, that the verb Alemite was added to the 1945 printing (1934 copyright) of Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition and remained for several years.
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA AND ADVANCING TOWARD THE FUTURE
In 1975, a plant in Johnson City, Tenn., was purchased with the goal of centralizing the engineering and manufacturing process. By 1984, the Model 500 grease gun was introduced and proved itself as a workhorse of the industry. This introduction once again supported the fact that the Alemite brand was a strong symbol of quality and reliability.
During the next several years, the Johnson City plant would become the central location for research and design along with manufacturing and distribution. The products manufactured at this facility showed Alemite’s commitment to excellence.
In the late 1990s, Alemite introduced the RAM pump line. These pumps were efficient, quieter and more reliable than others on the market. Providing dependable operation, this new line of rugged, high-volume pumps set the bar for pump design and had other manufacturers scrambling to catch up.
