Haskel history

By 1949, and under Haskell’s 3rd Generation of family leadership, F. Murray (Red) Haskell, the company was drawn to Alaska and became deeply involved in the dynamic development of Alaska.

During the 1950’s and 60’s the company’s growing industrial construction capabilities provided it many opportunities to participate in the development of the oil, gas and chemical refineries in the Pacific Northwest.

In the beginning the company was involved in the design of hydraulics and pneumatics, primarily to serve the aircraft industry, as well as for use in missiles and general engineering. It was not until 1952 that Haskel was incorporated in California.

In 1954 Haskel was a pioneer in the development of the first dry running hydraulically driven gas booster, which did not require lubrication for the compressor, used in missile technology with nitrogen and helium to pressures as high as 10,000 psi.

In 1961 it launched a range of metal seals able to withstand the extreme temperatures of aircraft engines, a product line that would remain vital more than 40 years later.

Another major development was the air-driven gas booster, introduced in 1963.

As in other small towns along the Highway 64 corridor, a loss of revenue for local businesses occurred in 1969 when the Tulsa-Muskogee Turnpike bypassed Haskell.

In 1970, Haskell began offering a junior college curriculum and became Haskell Indian Junior College.

After 41 years at the helm, Bud sold the company to Joseph Wojdak who had joined Haskell in 1974 as the vice president of finance.

The company launched an international effort in 1978 with the acquisition of a 60 percent stake in U.K.-based Olin Energy Systems, Ltd., part of the Olin Matheson Group.

By the early 1980’s and under Fred Haskell’s lead (Generation IV), the company’s focus began to transition out of the plumbing and HVAC business and into general contracting.

The company subsequently changed its name to Haskel Energy Systems Limited, and the remaining 40 percent of the company was ultimately purchased by Haskel in 1983.

In 1984 Haskel Energy broadened its scope, opening an office in Aberdeen to serve the oil and gas industry.

C. W. West, Outlaws and Peace Officers of Indian Territory (Muskogee, Okla.: Muskogee Publishing Co., 1987).

Greaves was well seasoned, having been with Haskel since 1989.

The committee published its first Haskell Report on April 1, 1990.

Death of Richard Hayman: 1991

In an attempt to revive the flagging company and provide some diversification, management in November 1993 acquired M.G. Electronics, a Westlake Village, California, electronics parts distributor, paying $6 million in cash plus stock.

An initial public offering was completed in November 1994, and the company's stock, originally priced at $10 per share, began trading on the NASDAQ. A month later, the 44-year-old Friedman replaced A. Charles Wilson, 70, as chairman of the board.

In March 1995 Friedman reorganized Haskel's business within two new operating groups: the Industrial Products Group, to house the company's traditional pumping systems and accessories, and the Electronic Products Group, for the MGE operations in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, domestically, the Industrial Products Group enjoyed strong growth in 1996, acquiring Hogan Fluid Power, a Houston-based company that supplied pumps and specialized systems for oil, gas, and fluid power applications.

Early in 1997 Haskel decided to put its electronic products business up for sale in order to focus on its core business of high-pressure technology.

In 1998 Haskel expanded further in the Pacific region by completing the acquisition of two Australia-based companies, M.D.C., Pty.

In March 1999 Haskel management announced that once again it would become a private company.

Alan and Bruce Robins have faced lingering obstacles since the company was restructured in 2002 but remain committed to producing products that live up to Haskell’s reputation for excellence.

In more recent developments, Haskel opened sales offices in China and United Arab Emirates in 2003.

In 2005, at Haskell Workshop, John Launchbury called for a definition of “Industrial Haskell” to succeed Haskell 98.

Haskell 2010 was the first revision created in this way.

Furthermore, Alan and Bruce are continuously designing, testing, and improving new products, like the Assemble series of tables introduced in 2011, for a wider range of specialized applications from elementary schools to commercial settings.