Twin City Fan
Encyclopedia
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. is a group of fan companies that manufacture and sell a complete range of centrifugal and axial propeller fans, power roof ventilators, and related equipment. The Minneapolis headquarters is home to all corporate, sales, engineering, accounting, marketing, and administrative functions. A state-of-the-art air & sound test lab adjoins.
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. operated exclusively in Minneapolis until 1984, when manufacturing was relocated to Brookings, South Dakota. The Brookings plant was expanded twice and South Dakota plants were opened in Mitchell (1988), Aberdeen (1993), and Elkton (1996). The Mitchell and Aberdeen plants have since been expanded, and in late 1997, a new plant was constructed in Elkton adjacent to the existing plant. In early 1997, Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. acquired Clarage Fans
with offices and a manufacturing plant in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2007 Clarage manufacturing moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in Pulaski, Tennessee. Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. also continues to manufacture part of its product line in Dayton, Ohio. Twin City Holland joined Twin City Fan Companies in 2002 with an aluminum foundry in Davenport, Iowa. Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. owns more than 600000 square feet (55,741.8 m²) of office and manufacturing facilities.
Twin City Fan got its name from its birthplace: the Twin Cities
of Minneapolis and St. Paul
. However, most of its manufacturing facilities are in South Dakota
, in the towns of Brookings
, Elkton
, Mitchell
, Aberdeen
, and Sioux Falls
. In 2006, its heavy duty company Clarage
moved to Pulaski, Tennessee
.
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. also owns Aerovent, a competitor to its own Twin City Fan and Blower division. It has a major presence in Singapore through joint venture with Azen Manufacturing Ptd Ltd. It also owns a joint venture in India and a subsidiary company in Shanghai
, China
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. is the parent of the oldest fan company Clarage (founded in 1874) in the US history.
Commercial and industrial markets, as well as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), purchase Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. products. Their applications range from general ventilation to heavy industrial uses, such as induced-draft or forced-draft systems in boiler and power plants. Although most fans are sold throughout North America, international customers in locations such as Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim use a significant number of the fans in hospitals and air conditioner systems.
Locations
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. manufactures its products at five South Dakota plants, located in Aberdeen, Brookings, Elkton, Mitchell and Sioux Falls, as well as at plants in Pulaski, Tennessee and Covington, Ohio. It also owns a foundry in Davenport, Iowa called Twin City Holland Industries. Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. products cover the entire fan market and are sold under the trade names Aerovent, Clarage, Twin City Fan & Blower, and 'zen Manufacturing Pte., LtdHistory
The Barry family has owned and controlled Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. since its inception in 1973. On January 1, 1996 Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. became an Employee Owned (ESOP) Company.Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. operated exclusively in Minneapolis until 1984, when manufacturing was relocated to Brookings, South Dakota. The Brookings plant was expanded twice and South Dakota plants were opened in Mitchell (1988), Aberdeen (1993), and Elkton (1996). The Mitchell and Aberdeen plants have since been expanded, and in late 1997, a new plant was constructed in Elkton adjacent to the existing plant. In early 1997, Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. acquired Clarage Fans
Clarage
Clarage is the oldest fan company that is still in operation in the United States.Thomas Clarage and Charles Bird founded Clarage in 1874. The company manufactured industrial fan equipment, horizontal steam engines and gray iron castings. In 1912 the company changed its name to Clarage Fan Company....
with offices and a manufacturing plant in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2007 Clarage manufacturing moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in Pulaski, Tennessee. Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. also continues to manufacture part of its product line in Dayton, Ohio. Twin City Holland joined Twin City Fan Companies in 2002 with an aluminum foundry in Davenport, Iowa. Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. owns more than 600000 square feet (55,741.8 m²) of office and manufacturing facilities.
Trivia
Ben Barry founded the Twin City Fan in 1973 as an industrial fan and blower manufacturer. Before starting Twin City Fan, Ben Barry was also the founder of Barry Blower. Barry Blower was sold several times and eventually merged with Penn Ventilation to form PennBarry.Twin City Fan got its name from its birthplace: the Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
of Minneapolis and St. Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. However, most of its manufacturing facilities are in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, in the towns of Brookings
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
, Elkton
Elkton, South Dakota
Elkton is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 736 at the 2010 census. Some of Elkton's population also have Minnesota addresses since the city is located so close the state line.-Geography:...
, Mitchell
Mitchell, South Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,558 people, 6,121 households, and 3,599 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,475.7 people per square mile . There were 6,555 housing units at an average density of 664.4 per square mile...
, Aberdeen
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
, and Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
. In 2006, its heavy duty company Clarage
Clarage
Clarage is the oldest fan company that is still in operation in the United States.Thomas Clarage and Charles Bird founded Clarage in 1874. The company manufactured industrial fan equipment, horizontal steam engines and gray iron castings. In 1912 the company changed its name to Clarage Fan Company....
moved to Pulaski, Tennessee
Pulaski, Tennessee
Pulaski is a city in Giles County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 7,870 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Giles County. It was named to honor the Polish-born American Revolutionary War hero Kazimierz Pułaski...
.
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. also owns Aerovent, a competitor to its own Twin City Fan and Blower division. It has a major presence in Singapore through joint venture with Azen Manufacturing Ptd Ltd. It also owns a joint venture in India and a subsidiary company in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. is the parent of the oldest fan company Clarage (founded in 1874) in the US history.
Consolidation
It is one of the few remaining fan companies after years of consolidation. Its major competitors include Chicago Blower, New York Blower, Cincinnati Fan, Howden, Loren Cook, PennBarry and Greenheck.Product / Application History
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. manufactures a broad line of centrifugal and axial fans, power roof ventilators, and related products. Company standards dictate precisely engineered products designed for maximum performance, with high quality and a competitive price. Sizes range from ¼ HP exhaust fans to 2000 hp industrial units, with related products such as motors, dampers, drives, air makeup units, and door heaters.Commercial and industrial markets, as well as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), purchase Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. products. Their applications range from general ventilation to heavy industrial uses, such as induced-draft or forced-draft systems in boiler and power plants. Although most fans are sold throughout North America, international customers in locations such as Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim use a significant number of the fans in hospitals and air conditioner systems.