NEWS RELEASES

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

UTICA, NY — 2023 marks 200 years in business for Munson Machinery. Founded by Alfred Munson, A. Munson & Company began manufacturing grain milling machines, flour bolters, grinding supplies and waterpower equipment, and was the first U.S. company to manufacture French buhr millstones.

Later known as the Munson Brothers Company when brother Samuel joined the firm, then as Munson Mill Machinery Company and ultimately as Munson Machinery Company, the firm has grown into a world-leading manufacturer of batch and continuous mixing, blending and size reduction equipment for powder and bulk solids, pastes and slurries across all industries.

"It's rare for a company to celebrate 200 years, so we are enormously thankful for the ingenuity, work ethic and skill of our predecessors and of current personnel who brought us to this milestone," says Munson president, Charlie Divine, adding, "Long-term vision, sound fiscal management and bullet-proof machinery have seen Munson through numerous economic downturns, a civil war, two world wars and multiple pandemics."

Engineering innovations underpin the company's products today as they have from the onset. "Numerous patented advances have set Munson apart from others who have come and gone over the years," explains Divine, "and while some long-lived companies fear change, we at Munson embrace it, demonstrating how a company hundreds of years old can also stay at the cutting edge of technology."

The company's philosophy remains unchanged, however, as expressed in a Civil War era advertisement: "Our Mills are built upon honor — all we ask is a careful examination of their merits. We leave the decision to you."

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Munson 4-Column Buhr Mill circa 1873.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

The predecessor of today's Rotary Batch Mixer utilized a wooden vessel and frame in the mid 1800s.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Munson Attrition Mill advertisement from late 1800s features electric power, which began replacing water power and steam power.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Munson Portable Mill advertisement circa 1884.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Utica, NY Newspaper advertisement of A. Munson & Company circa 1824.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Munson 4-Column Buhr Mill under restoration. Patent date of 1860 shown on nameplate.

 

Millstone Milestone: Munson Celebrates 200 Years

Munson Attrition Mill from late 1800s. Dual pulleys were belt-driven by water wheel or steam power.