Our History

Morgan Engineering has been part of America since 1868. 150 years later, we’re still a proud domestic overhead crane manufacturer. Manufacturing material handling equipment right here in the U.S.A.

Founded in 1868 by Thomas Rees Morgan, Morgan Engineering has a rich history of becoming the industry-leading overhead crane manufacturer. With more than 30,000 cranes designed and manufactured, we hold thousands of patents and designs using edge-cutting innovations and technologies. Our team engineers, designs, and manufactures; leading to our philosophy that if you can dream it, we can make it.

Going Strong After 150 Years

Company History

T.R. Morgan Sr. in 1868

Thomas Rees Morgan Sr. founds Morgan Engineering in Pittsburgh, PA.

1868
1871 image of the Morgan Headquarters in Alliance

Morgan moves its headquarters to its present location in Alliance, OH.

1871
The first steam-powered overhead traveling crane.

Morgan patents the first steam-powered overhead traveling crane.

1874
Graphic showing the 25 ton engineering feet accomplished in the 1880s

Morgan builds a gantry crane with a lifting capacity of 25 tons. “An engineering feat” for this time.

1880’s
The first electric overhead traveling crane.

Morgan invents the first electric overhead traveling crane.

1881
Morgan incorporates the first polyphase AC motor into its cranes, in cooperation with Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla.

Morgan incorporates the first polyphase AC motor into its cranes, in cooperation with Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla.

1887
Collection of documents from the world's fair and the Morgan crane on display at the fair.

Morgan builds and exhibits a 25-ton capacity electric overhead traveling crane for the Chicago World’s Fair which fair attendees enjoy taking rides on.

1893
In 1894 Morgan employees gathered proudly to be photographed on this 10-inch Gordon Disappearing Gun Carriage.

Morgan designs and builds Gordon 10-inch Disappearing Gun Carriages, which will later see action during the Spanish-American War.

1894
During World War I the company entered this float – Our Part in the World War – in a parade. The float featured a 6-inch improvised field mount type A cannon.

The company enters this float—Our Part in the World War—in a parade. The float features a 6-inch improvised field mount type A cannon.

1915
Morgan builds the first 400-ton capacity Stripper Crane in the world.

Stripper cranes start to dominate steel making. Morgan builds the first 400-ton capacity Stripper Crane in the world.

1920
1928 double stand steam drop hammer

Morgan builds the press that General Motors will use to build the 1927 Chevrolet Superior Touring Sedan.

1927
Presentation of the Navy "E" Flag to Morgan

Morgan is awarded the Navy “E” Flag. Employees gather for its presentation.

1942
Morgan builds the propulsion drive system to transport massive NASA rockets from the assembly facility to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, FL.

Morgan builds the propulsion drive system to transport massive NASA rockets from the assembly facility to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, FL.

1963
Morgan builds a 600-ton capacity stripper crane, nicknamed “Big Mo,” for Bethlehem Steel’s facility in Sparrows Point, MD.

Morgan builds a 600-ton capacity stripper crane, nicknamed “Big Mo,” for Bethlehem Steel’s facility in Sparrows Point, MD. It is the world’s largest stripper crane thus far and was designed by Morgan employees Terry Fedor, P.E. and late Nelson Baker, P.E.

1967
Aerial shot of the first fully automated rail-mounted gantry container handling system at Matson Terminals on the West Coast.

The company designs and builds the first fully automated rail-mounted gantry container handling system at Matson Terminals on the West Coast.

1979
Morgan helps pioneer retractable stadium roofs with its work on the Toronto Sky Dome in Toronto, Ontario, now known as the Rogers Centre.

Morgan helps pioneer retractable stadium roofs with its work on the Toronto Sky Dome in Toronto, Ontario, now known as the Rogers Centre.

1987
Morgan builds the world’s first fully autonomous hot metal charging crane for Iron Dynamics in Butler, IN.

Morgan builds the world’s first fully autonomous hot metal charging crane for Iron Dynamics in Butler, IN.

1998
Alliance crane in the repair shop

Morgan purchases The Alliance Machine Company.

2002
Heppenstall lifting device and the Blaw-Knox logo side by side

Morgan acquires Heppenstall and Blaw-Knox, both companies with origins dating back to the late 1800s, to further Morgan’s position as a full solution for overhead cranes.

2009
The first autonomous hot-mill, coil-handling crane featuring its Cephas work-in-process (WIP) inventory-managing software.

Morgan introduces the first autonomous hot-mill, coil-handling crane featuring its Cephas work-in-process (WIP) inventory-managing software.

2013
United States Tennis Association campus in Flushing, NY

Morgan completes work on another retractable stadium roof, this time for the United States Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. The site of the US Open in Queens, NY.

2014
Exterior shot of Morgan's new headquarters

Morgan commemorates its 150th anniversary by building a new corporate office and publishing a book on the company’s rich history, titled, “From Pit Ponies to Retractable Roofs: Pioneering Innovation for 150 Years.”

2020

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Morgan employee smiling in his Morgan polo shirt

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