Our History
1905
Founded in 1905, Semler Industries was located at the corner of Kedzie and Carroll Avenues in Chicago, originally called Metal Specialties Manufacturing Company. The company sold buggy whip holders for horse and buggies. During this time, Metal Specialties owned and operated a concession at what is now known as Wrigley Field. For a nickel, a spectator could sit comfortable on a seat and enjoy a baseball game.
Then during the First World War, the company began manufacturing war materials; particularly, shell casings. Once the war was over, they began to manufacture a variety of metal products and other products such as gummed sealing tape. At the time, this was the latest advancement in advertising print, allowing store owners to advertise their establishment on the printed tape. The water-soluble gummed tape would be used to seal brown bags of sugar, coffee, or flour.
1920
In the late 1920s, the company began to produce paint spray guns, a small vacuum cleaner, or other products for automobiles. There was an emphasis on flash marketed automotive products, so the company also made the first dashboard mounted cigar lighter, stop signal switches, under the hood electric engine heaters, visors, engine lights, head and tail lamps, and sockets. These products were sold to automakers like Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, and Oldsmobile and for some long out of production cars such as the Auburn, Hudson, Nash, Stutz, Willys-Knight, and Wolverine.
1931
Loren H. Semler, Sr. began working at Metal Specialties in 1931 as their Speedo Byke hit the market. They also developed roller skates with rubber wheels and manufactured aluminum frying pans, vacuum cleaners, food dehydrators, and aluminum snow shovels and sleds.
1933
Loren H. Semler, Sr. purchased Metal Specialties Manufacturing Company in 1933. Then in 1939 the company introduced the Presto line of small pocket and desk size staplers. This was during the height of the Great Depression and the company had been losing money up until this point but they turned things around with the introduction of these office products. This led to a merger with a company with similar capabilities in the 1940’s and the company name changed to Loren Specialty Manufacturing Company Inc.
1940
With World War II, Loren Specialty Manufacturing Company was 100% under government contract to make materials for the war. One of the company’s projects was the E-S Machine Gun Synchronizer, which timed the firing of machine gun bullets between the spinning propeller blades on aircraft. The company also manufactured the 50-caliber machine gun recoil mechanisms for when aircraft guns were wing-mounted. Other products included nose cones for shells, booby traps, and distress signals for the Navy.
Once the war ended, the company resumed manufacturing the Presto line of office products: paper punches, staplers, staple removers, and card files.
1946
In 1946 Loren Specialty purchased and merged with Meyer-Ekstrom, bringing a new direction and new products to sell. Semler still offers components which come from this acquisition: hydraulic and pneumatic parts and components.
1953
The Melrose Park plant was built at 1975 Cornell Avenue and the company introduced the first electric eraser for pencil and ink pens.
1962
In 1962, Loren Specialty purchased and merged with the Blott Robb Company, and the Presto line of products was sold off. Blott Robb Company became the foundation of Semler’s current core product offering of industrial pumps, meters, hose reels, and other liquid handling components. The company also made high pressure valves and metal shearstrips. These were a safer alternative to dynamite as they used air pressure to blast coal away from the walls of mining operations.
1967
The company moved from Melrose Park to our current Franklin Park location; this is where our shop began manufacturing ‘Dispenso-Pak” aircraft refueling cabinets.
1971
In 1971, Loren Specialty and Blott Robb merged to become Semler Industries Inc. New filter product lines were added to complement the existing product lines and to better serve our customers as a one-stop shop for critical fluid handling and purification equipment. Loren H. Semler Jr. (the eldest son of Loren H. Semler, Sr.) became president of Semler Industries.
1973
The first Potable Water Cabinets (PWCs) were designed and sold to United Airlines. The design was later enhanced in the late 80s when Semler supplied 97 cabinets for the ORD United Airlines terminal expansion. Our PWC is still being sold today and remains as the leader in the ground support industry all over the world.
1974
Using the knowledge and capabilities provided by its various product lines, the company created the first waste ink recovery system for the newspaper industry. The first-of-its-kind unit was sold to the Milwaukee Journal in 1974.
1980
On March 15th of 1980, our founder Loren H. Semler, Sr. unexpectedly passed away, but his influence and integrity remain alive in the culture of the company today.
1982
1986
In 1986 Semler Industries purchased and merged with Sentry Tank Accessories, expanding our offering to include storage tank ventilation equipment and accessories. These products have been retired, though we still offer alternative tank ventilation equipment within the diverse product lines we distribute.
1999
The first potable water filling nozzle was designed and sold to American Airlines. These FDA-compliant PWC nozzles are still offered today.
2008
On March 4, 2008 Semler patented the IntelliFlush(R) potable water cabinet, making it the most advanced cabinet on the market and allowing the user to save water with its automatic flushing capabilities. These cabinets are still offered today.
2009
Loren H. Semler, Jr. retired but remains involved as Chairman of the Board and a consultant, Loren W. Semler became the fourth President in the company’s history and Katherine Felton became Senior Vice President of the company.
2011
With the EPA’s introduction of stricter diesel emission regulations in 2010, diesel exhaust fluid infrastructure was beginning to take hold throughout the country and world. In 2011 Semler began offering DEF equipment and the DEF-Distributor™ product line was born.
2012
In 2012, Semler introduces the PetroPolisher™ line of equipment; these systems are designed to remove water and debris from fuel storage tanks for fuels used in any and all applications.
2014
As demand for custom engineered systems grew, it naturally brought on opportunity to utilize our extensive industry knowledge and experience. In 2014 Semler created the Functional Engine Fluid equipment group and its focus evolved into designing and building custom engineered systems for all engine fluids, including DEF, oils, antifreeze, ATF, fuels, and other fluids.
2018
As the Functional Engine Fluid group expanded into offering more product lines, our EZ-BlendTM product line grew as well. These custom blending systems for engine fluids and fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, are ideal for industry producers.
2024
Semler expands its operations with the opening of a new 20,000 foot warehouse dedicated to shipping, receiving, and distribution.
Today
Having become a recognized leader in the filtration and liquid handling industries and providing custom solutions, both domestically and internationally, Semler continues to design and manufacture proprietary equipment to assist with the safe and efficient movement, metering, blending, and transfer of virtually all fluids. Our systems are found in diverse industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, petroleum refining, transportation, and others. We have currently evolved into 3 primary market and product-focused groups comprised of Core Products (distributed equipment and custom-built systems), Aviation Support Systems & Equipment, and Functional Engine Fluids (purpose-built systems for various applications utilized in the storage, transfer, purification, and blending of fuels all types of fluids used in engines).
Our long and rich history, long-standing relationships with high-quality manufacturers, and our in-house engineering expertise have positioned us into a forward-looking approach utilizing automation and the latest technologies to offer unique, problem-solving solutions. Semler Industries is a preferred company that commits to service that reflects the values of a family-run business and truly sets us apart.