Crane Company marked its 170th anniversary amid the buzz of Valve World Americas Expo & Conference. Attendees flocked to Crane Booth not only to explore cutting-edge flow-control technologies, but also to hear from our distinguished ambassador, former NASA astronaut and engineer Nicole Stott—whose pre-recorded video message stole the show.
A legacy forged in innovation
Since Richard Teller Crane founded a small brass and bell foundry on July 4, 1855, Crane Company has grown into a global leader in Process Flow Technologies. Over the decades, we’ve pioneered breakthroughs from advanced cryogenics to precision actuators—most recently amplified by the 2024 acquisitions of CryoWorks and Technifab. These additions have bolstered our portfolio of mission-critical solutions, supporting everything from industrial processing plants to next-generation rocket propulsion systems.
Nicole Stott: from spacewalks to stewardship
Nicole Stott’s multifaceted career—as astronaut, aquanaut, engineer, artist, and mom—captivated everyone on the expo floor. Having logged 104 days in space, become the 10th woman to perform a spacewalk, and the first to operate the ISS robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo vehicle, she embodies the spirit of exploration and innovation that drives Crane.
Looking ahead: space-age inspiration meets industrial excellence
By uniting our 170-year legacy with Nicole Stott’s visionary insights on exploration and teamwork, Crane Company reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and cutting-edge engineering. As her words echoed through George R. Brown Convention Center, it became clear that whether we’re refining flow-control solutions on Earth or pioneering life-support systems in orbit, the same force drives us all: dreaming big and working together.