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History GEA Refrigeration Technologies: 1900 - 1950 

• 1908 -- The company celebrates its 50 year anniversary.

 

• 1910 -- Grasso manufactures its first ammonia compressor.

 

• 1911 - Grasso starts production of refrigeration drums.

 

• 1912 -- Grasso becomes a publicly listed company (Dutch - NV).  The company stops    
               production of butter/margarine machinery to focus on refrigeration.

• 1912 -- The first Grasso built horizontal compressor is sold.

 

• 1915 - Grasso builds the largest horizontal compressor in the Netherlands in 1915 and 1916.

 

• 1920 -- Grasso receives a large order for horizontal compressors for an ice installation in Batavia.

 

• 1927 -- Henri Grasso celebrates 50 years as manager.

 

• 1928 -- Grasso exhibits cooling machines for marine purposes at a major trade show in Rotterdam.

 

• 1930 – Together with refrigeration engineer George Ferguson, Grasso develops the rotating blade
              compressor.

 

• 1933 -- Grasso celebrates its 75th anniversary.

 

• 1937 -- Due to an economic crisis, the factory is taken over by the Van Heijst brothers from The 
               Hague.  Leo van Heijst introduces the unique welded steel crankcase for the compressors.

 

• 1939 -- Grasso starts a trade school for fitters, welders and millers.

 

• 1944 -- Henri Grasso dies at the age of 80.  The factory is almost completely destroyed during 
               World War II.  Business comes to a standstill.

 

• 1947- The factory is re-built.  State of the art machinery is installed.  Company begins to focus on
             the export market.

 

• 1949 -- Grasso builds factory to manufacture pneumatic tools.