American Standard and Trane: A Tale of Two Companies

American Standard and Trane are both companies known for their innovativeness and use of technology to better the lives of people. Both companies began small and survived the Great Depression to emerge as industry leaders, each in their own right. Each company has over a century of experience and dedication to serving customers’ needs and the manufacture of top quality products.  These histories intersect late in the twentieth century, and the two companies become one corporation. Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company began making American bathtubs over 130 years ago in 1875.  Inventing the built -in American bathtub, combination faucet (mixes hot and cold water to give warm at the tap), corrosion resistant brass fittings, and the one piece toilet; American standard quickly dominated the global bathroom fixture market.In 1885, James Trane opened a plumbing shop in Wisconsin.  Due to cold Wisconsin winters James invented a low-pressure heating system called the Trane Vapor Heating System. Reuben, James’s son, had an engineering degree, so in 1910 the two man team opened manufacturing operations. Today, Trane is one of the most recognized names in the heating and air conditioning industry. In the past, American Standard was comprised of three divisions: Heating and Air Conditioning Systems/Services, Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) and Bath and Kitchen Products.  Although American Standard has had a heating and air conditioning division for quite some time; previously the company’s focus has been on it’s bathroom and kitchen fixtures division. Fixtures by American Standard can be found globally in private homes, hotels and commercial establishments.Few people realize that Trane is an American Standard Company now. In 1984, American Standard and Trane became one corporation.  The corporation continues to manufacture heating and air conditioning products and services under the names “Trane”, “American Standard Trane” and “American Standard”.Deciding to shift their focus to the new American Standard Trane Corporation led to the sale of the Kitchen and Bath Division.  Even though under new management, American bathtubs and other fixtures continue to be manufactured under the American Standard name with the highest of quality standards.The corporation also formed their Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) into a separate independent company. On November 28, 2009, American Standard Trane made the announcement they were changing their company name to Trane and would trade on the New York Stock exchange as Trane, Inc.  (NYSE:TT).Trane, Inc. continues to manufacture heating and air conditioning systems, products and services under the names “American Standard” and “Trane”Today, Trane, Inc. employs 29,000 employees and more than 400 locations in over 100 countries. 2006 gross annual revenues in exceeded 6.8 billion dollars.   With a combined history of over 200 years manufacturing the best quality products; when you purchase an American bathtub by American Standard or a Trane heating/air product; you are getting over 200 years of combined history manufacturing the best quality products.Trane, Inc is respected industry-wide for their ability to design, manufacture and market commercial and residential heating and air conditioning systems.  The quality products and support provided to customers has only improved with the merging of American Standard and Trane.