Worthington Compressor Services: A Notable Industry Leader from 1840 to the 21st Century

Since its inception in 1840, Worthington Compressor Services has prided itself in providing diverse industries with forward thinking compressed air machinery and world-class solutions based on efficiency, reliability, performance, and quality. 

The rich history of this longtime industry leader in industrial compressor solutions can be traced back in 1840 when Henry R. Worthington, a mechanical hydraulic engineer, launched his brainchild - the Automatic Independent Water Reciprocating Pump – to help improve the steam canal boats operations on the Erie Canal. 

Later on, Worthington and William H. Baker partnered to establish hydraulic machinery and pumping engines manufacturing company called William and Baker. In 1854, the thriving business soon built a manufacturing plant in Brooklyn, New York and was named as Worthington Hydraulic Pump Works. Following Baker’s demise in 1860, Worthington took sole ownership and continued in innovating ingenious hydraulic engineering advances in the 19th century with pioneering waterworks engine and a duplex steam feed pump.

Over 80 municipalities used these two hydraulic engineering innovations across the region, while original bilge pumps were supplied to the U.S. commissioned naval vessels, including the USS Monitor during the Civil War in 1865 – making for some of the most notable impacts Worthington made for the community and the country early on.

In 1880, Charles Campbell Worthington succeeded his father in the business and carried on the tradition of innovating hydraulic pumps, compressors, and other machinery. In his time, Worthington had the opportunity to provide ten high-pressure pumps used to deliver water supply to the British Expeditionary Army’s in Khartoum, Sudan.

Another historical milestone for Worthington occurred in 1889 when they supplied tandem steam pump engines to power up the hydraulic elevator service used during the erection of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This pivotal contribution of Worthington is considered as the only part played by America in the construction of the world-famous tower.

 A decade later, Benjamin Guggenheim established the International Steam Pump Company (ISPC) and merged all the industry leaders in steam pump engines manufacturing including Worthington Pump Works. However in 1912, ISPC experienced a major financial crisis when Guggenheim perished among thousands on board the RMS Titanic.

 In 1917, the British Worthington Pump Co. changed their name to Worthington-Simpson that was later purchased by the American Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation. The financial decline was short-lived even when the demand for engine compressors waned since this opened a market opportunity for Worthington to fabricate novel two-stage double acting compression systems in the fusion of angle-type integral gas engine compressor with vertical power cylinders and horizontal compressors.

 As the company celebrated its 100 years of service, the name was rebranded to Worthington Corporation and expanded its facilities across Harrison, Buffalo, and Holyoke in a few years to conduct researches about mechanics, hydrodynamic and thermodynamics.

 In 1967, an entrepreneur named Derald Ruttenberg succeeded in merging Studebaker (a struggling car company purchased by Wagner Electric) with Worthington Corporation and created Studebaker-Worthington. McGraw-Edison later purchased the newly merged company in 1978.

Following the 150th anniversary in the industry and leaping to present time, Industrial Service Solutions, Inc. (ISS) took Worthington Compressor Services under its wing and together worked to address the market’s demand for high quality field, shop, and supply services across the U.S.

ISS also introduced Worthington Compressor Services to the digital age and business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce to reestablish the company’s ties to their customer base.

Today, Worthington Compressor Services, through ISS, has launched its own corporate website and social media platforms, enabling their customers to directly keep in touch with their technical team while expand the company’s market experience.

Worthington Compressor Services continues to dedicate its business to providing industrial-grade rebuilt compressor machinery, genuine OEM parts, and expert technical services. Learn more about Worthington Compressor Services and our successfully launched site at www.worthingtoncompressor.com today.