American Standard and Trane: A Tale of Two Companies

A history of the merger between American StandardStandard Company now. In 1984, American Standard
and Trane. American Standard and Trane are bothand Trane became one corporation.  The corporation
companies known for their innovativeness and use ofcontinues to manufacture heating and air conditioning
technology to better the lives of people. Bothproducts and services under the names “Trane”,
companies began small and survived the Great“American Standard Trane” and “American
Depression to emerge as industry leaders, each in theirStandard”.
own right. Each company has over a century ofDeciding to shift their focus to the new American
experience and dedication to servingStandard Trane Corporation led to the sale of the
customers’ needs and the manufacture of topKitchen and Bath Division.  Even though under new
quality products.  These histories intersect late in themanagement, American bathtubs and other fixtures
twentieth century, and the two companies becomecontinue to be manufactured under the American
one corporation.Standard name with the highest of quality standards.
Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company beganThe corporation also formed their Vehicle Control
making American bathtubs over 130 years ago inSystems (WABCO) into a separate independent
1875.  Inventing the built -in American bathtub,company.
combination faucet (mixes hot and cold water to giveOn November 28, 2009, American Standard Trane
warm at the tap), corrosion resistant brass fittings, andmade the announcement they were changing their
the one piece toilet; American standard quicklycompany name to Trane and would trade on the New
dominated the global bathroom fixture market.York Stock exchange as Trane, Inc.  (NYSE:TT).
In 1885, James Trane opened a plumbing shop inTrane, Inc. continues to manufacture heating and air
Wisconsin.  Due to cold Wisconsin winters Jamesconditioning systems, products and services under the
invented a low-pressure heating system called thenames “American Standard” and “Trane”
Trane Vapor Heating System. Reuben, James’sToday, Trane, Inc. employs 29,000 employees and
son, had an engineering degree, so in 1910 the two manmore than 400 locations in over 100 countries. 2006
team opened manufacturing operations. Today, Tranegross annual revenues in exceeded 6.8 billion
is one of the most recognized names in the heatingdollars.  
and air conditioning industry.With a combined history of over 200 years
In the past, American Standard was comprised ofmanufacturing the best quality products; when you
three divisions: Heating and Air Conditioning Systemspurchase an American bathtub by American Standard
Services, Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) andor a Trane heating/air product; you are getting over
Bath and Kitchen Products.  Although American200 years of combined history manufacturing the best
Standard has had a heating and air conditioning divisionquality products.
for quite some time; previously the company’sTrane, Inc is respected industry-wide for their ability to
focus has been on it’s bathroom and kitchendesign, manufacture and market commercial and
fixtures division. Fixtures by American Standard can beresidential heating and air conditioning systems.  The
found globally in private homes, hotels and commercialquality products and support provided to customers
establishments.has only improved with the merging of American
Few people realize that Trane is an AmericanStandard and Trane.