ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
Thomas L. Sturtevant recognized the need for mechanization in the fertilizer industry and founded the Sturtevant Mill Company in the state of Maine in 1883. His first unit was a Rock Emery Mill. Not long before the turn of the 19th century, the company moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts, where it remained until 1998 when it moved to its current location in Hanover, Massachusetts.
An Idea Ahead of its Time
In an effort to limit human exposure to harmful fumes and acids common to the processes involved in the manufacture of fertilizers, Mr. Sturtevant designed the Mechanical Den and Excavator, a machine that would revolutionize the batch processing of super phosphate.
Inventive Genius
During the late 1800s Laurance H. Sturtevant, a son of the founder, and Thomas J. Sturtevant, his nephew, joined the firm. T.J. Sturtevant, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was a remarkable engineer and inventor; his genius, coupled with the design, application, and administrative talents of the other Sturtevants, provided the new Company its initial thrust.
Innovation and Diversification
In the early 1900s, the Company advanced designs for crushing and grinding, blending and mixing, and related materials-handling equipment. A venture into the automotive field began in 1904 when T.J. Sturtevant designed an automatic transmission. Together with the Sturtevant designed internal combustion engine, automatic lubrication, vacuum brakes, and a body manufactured by another firm, the Sturtevant Automatic Automobile, the world’s first automatic, was marketed for upwards of six thousand dollars.
Out of the Depths of the Depression, a Burgeoning Business in Cement
Further engineering skill led to the development of the Air Separator. At this same time, the science of cement manufacture was evolving. In 1930, a contest between Sturtevant and another important manufacturer for the favor of a major cement producer proved the Sturtevant unit superior. For the next several decades, the “Closed Circuit” method of making cement was dominant, and Sturtevant Air Separators helped lead the way.
War Years: Defense and Chemicals
During World War II, Sturtevant participated in the defense effort by making parts for local naval yards. In addition, Sturtevant was given high priority to secure materials for the manufacture of its equipment for use in the chemical industries. In the post war era, the cement industry grew continually, calling for more Air Separators. In the late 1950s, massive reconstruction and expansion in that industry caused Sturtevant to work at a feverish pace to meet the demands of its customers.
Enter the Micronizer®
During the 1930s, Sturtevant introduced an ultrafine grinder, the Micronizer®. This fluid energy mill opened up many new and promising markets. The same decade saw the development of two more pulverizers which were intermediate to the older crushers and the Micronizer®, representing a relatively new concept of fine grinding by impact.
Quality, Service and Expertise
In 1973, Sturtevant acquired the North Attleboro Foundry, in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. In 1979, the Sturtevant Processing Division was instituted. The Processing Division functions as an arm of the research and development effort of the Company as well as provides specialized grinding services to customers.
The Air Separator Evolves
During the 1980s, global cement manufacturing underwent a massive technological revolution. As usual, Sturtevant was on the leading edge, with the SD High Efficiency Classifier. The SD reduced power consumption, produced higher yields and was easily variable to produce different grades of product from a single milling circuit.
Global Impact
Since our earliest years, Sturtevant has been an international force, having offices or representation on all continents. With equipment in virtually every country in the world, we helped enable the advancement of materials processing globally long before globalization became popular. Commitment to international business remains one of our core values.
Tradition Provides Stability in a World of Rapid Change
The tradition of family management has been maintained at Sturtevant, Inc. from its inception to the present. T.L. Sturtevant was its manager from its founding to 1920, followed by his son Laurance H. Sturtevant, whose grandson, William Sturtevant English, has occupied the position of Chairman of the Board since the death of his father, Clayton F. English, in 1978. Currently William Sturtevant English, Jr., manages the company, preserving for a fifth generation the tradition of family.
Industrial Revolution to Information Revolution
Since its founding in 1883 at the height of the American Industrial Revolution, Sturtevant has conducted its business in cooperation with its customers. Thomas J. Sturtevant’s engineering diary contains records of conversations with customers as T.J. was learning about their processes and their business, to help them optimize their processes. T.L Sturtevant published a business manual to assist customers in maximizing their operations.
Today, we utilize the Internet to communicate but are still asking the same questions about your processes and still are more interested in maximizing your operation. Regardless of the changes going on in the world around us, we remain committed to providing the best information available to our customers.
Into the 21st Century
Though the pace of change has accelerated and the world has shrunk through the information revolution, Sturtevant remains steadfast in helping customers and producing the highest quality, most innovative materials-processing equipment. The Micronizer® line now includes the world’s first USDA accepted jet mill, the new in 2002 “Qualification Micronizer®,” and newer developments yet to be announced. The Air Separator line includes a superfine variant and another new technology yet to be unveiled in the near future. The Powderizer line has recently been awarded another patent for a Sturtevant innovation. After only 136 years, five generations of family management, thousands of happy customers, and uncounted innovations, we are only just getting started. Come back often: there is bound to be something new.
OUR TEAM
Executive Management
In June of 2003, management of the company passed from William S. English to W. Sturtevant English, Jr. Mr. English, Sr., has over 50 years with the company and remains active seeking new technologies.
In 2006, the Sturtevant Board of Directors named W. Sturtevant English, Jr., to the position of President and CEO. Mr. English, Jr., has been with the company for over 21 years with added past experience outside the company in banking, mergers and acquisitions, and consulting. Mr. English, Jr., represents the fifth generation of family to manage Sturtevant.
Chris Meadows started with Sturtevant in 2017. Chris is the VP of Sales and Marketing. Meadows comes to Sturtevant Inc. with over 20 years of industry experience after having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama.
Joseph Muscolino started with the Company in January of 1984. Joe is the Product Manager for the Air Classification lines of equipment. Joe is recognized throughout the world for his expertise applying air classifiers and Micronizers®.
Nick Spoden, our Parts and Service Manager has been with Sturtevant since 2017. We brought him in knowing there would be big shoes to fill from the retirement of his predecessor Rick, but Nick has been eager to learn and pickup where Rick left off. Nick comes to us with over 10 years of parts and service experience in various industries. He was previously with Donaldson and Agco Corporation where he grew his knowledge of applications and the parts and services associated. His background in these industries and applications are a great value to our team.
Rich Robatzek joined Sturtevant in 2013 and is the Product Manager for the Micronizer®. He brings with him over 20 years of industrial sales experience and extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical, food, consumer goods and many other industries. Rich recommends technical solutions as well as provides technical support and start-up assistance for the Micronizer®.
Steve Marshall is the Product Manager for the Simpactor® and Infestroyer. Steve joined Sturtevant in 2012 as a Marketing Manager and has transitioned to sales bringing with him over 20 years of marketing experience to lead the strategic vision and direction of the pin mill line of the size reduction products at Sturtevant Inc.
Michelle Smith started with us in 2007 as our Sales Assistant. She supports our sales staff by providing administrative and customer support. She works on company proposals, follows up with prospects and customers, processes sales leads and updates our database.
ASSOCIATIONS
PEMA® (Process Equipment Manufacturers Association)
Formed in 1960, PEMA® brings together companies that supply equipment and systems that are used by process industries including: food, chemical, pharmaceutical, waste water treatment, paint and coatings, agribusiness, ceramics, metals, plastics, wood, pulp and paper, environmental, building products, and mining/minerals.
NSSGA (National Stone Sand & Gravel Association)
NSSGA represents the crushed stone, sand and gravel-or construction aggregates-industries. Their member companies produce more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel consumed annually in the United States.
National Association of Manufacturers
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) represents manufacturers in every industrial sector and in the United States. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States.
National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. The NSC partners with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public to make an impact where the most preventable injuries and deaths occur.
ISPE (International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers)
ISPE was founded in 1980, its membership includes a broad representation from pharmaceutical professionals, including a vital link with quality control and assurance personnel. ISPE is committed to the advancement of the educational and technical efficiency of its members through forums for the exchange of ideas and practical experience.
NRA (National Renderer’s Association)
The National Renderers Association (NRA), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, was formed in 1933 as the professional organization of the rendering industry. The NRA represents their members’ interests to regulatory and other governmental agencies, promote the greater use of animal by-products and foster the opening and expansion of trade between foreign buyers and North American exporters.
Associated Industries of Massachusetts
Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) is a dynamic and innovative association of Massachusetts employers guided by the belief that only a vibrant, private-sector economy creates opportunity that binds the social, governmental, and economic foundations of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
THE STURTEVANT DIFFERENCE
Reliability – Consistent and Dependable Business Practice
Over 60% of our sales are repeat customers
Sturtevant is a family run business currently in its fifth generation of family management
Made in the USA with domestic manufacturing.
Service – Industry’s Best Customer Service
All operations are under one roof which results in fast, reliable problem solving
A fully equipped test facility to help customers determine the best way to achieve fine particle sizes and understand grinding characteristics
A skilled field service team is available for start-up of new equipment and field inspection of existing installations.
Experience – Over 137 Years of Experience
Sturtevant has been perfecting particle size for over 137 years with thousands of installations all over the world. Sturtevant employees average over 20 years of service.
Customer driven innovation, including more variety and accessories than any other mill manufacturer make Sturtevant the global leader in particle separation machinery.
