The Selas Heritage
Selas has an enduring legacy of innovative thermal processing technology that spans more than a century.
A Rich History of Innovation Enduring the Ages in Heat Processing Technology
The Selas name and products have a rich history in the importance of heat processing spanning from the turn of the 20th century through today. For over a century, Selas has been known as a pioneer and leader in heat and combustion technology. The products, technology and name have endured while playing an important role in the ability of industry to harness and control combustion creating industrial burners and processes which fueled the nations growth.
The Selas heritage began with gas street lights in 19th century Germany. From there, Selas engineers began to explore other combustion needs and to develop new gas mixing products. Industrial process heating using premix burners, was pioneered by, and originally known as, the “Selas System”. In the early 1900’s “city gas” was available to use but pressures and heating values by cubic foot on gas varied and were often too weak for industrial burners. The automatic premixing of gas and air in a defined ratio and under a uniform pressure was achieved by the development of the Selas Combustion Controller.
The company expanded throughout the world and in 1930 sold its first radiant burner, followed later by heat processing kilns and furnaces.
Today, Selas is known mainly for its premix burners, ultra low NOx nozzle mix burners, combustion systems and combustion safeguards. The acquisition of the Pyronics and Ray Burner brand products has expanded the Selas combustion product line with additional combustion products also rich in history. More recently, Selas added the Red-Ray infrared burner line and the ERB Ensign ribbon burner product line. Webster Combustion, a manufacturer of boiler burners for commercial and industrial applications, was acquired in 2014.
The Selas name originated with the Selas company in 1896. Throughout many years, products have been added and dropped, divisions formed and divested and corporate ownership has changed. The constant through all of this change is the Selas name and foundation of products. Products with time proven engineering and manufacturing to endure the ages.
Corporate Milestones, 1896 to Present
- “Selas” GmbH , of Berlin, Germany founded in 1896. The Greek word for bright light.
- January 14, 1909: “Selas” trademark applied for in the United States. Application stated that the trademark was used continuously since September 1900. US Trademark #84,344
- March 23, 1912: The Selas Company incorporated as a New York corporation.
- June 24, 1930: Incorporated as a Pennsylvania corporation.
- 1930: Moved to 10,000 SF factory at 18th and Indiana Streets in Philadelphia.
- 1940: Built factory on 2-1/2 acres at Erie Avenue and D Streets in Philadelphia.
- April 10, 1944: Name changed to Selas Corporation of America.
- April 17, 1961: First traded as a public company as an OTC stock.
- February 8, 1965: First traded as a public company on AMEX.
- 1983: Linde AG acquired the Fluid Processing Division of Selas Corporation of America and formed the Selas Fluid Processing Corporation. The sale excluded all burner technology.
- 2005: Selas purchased by Lionheart Ventures and reborn as Selas Heat Technology LLC.
- 2009: Selas acquired Pyronics, Inc. expanding into new heat technology products and markets.
- 2011: Selas acquired Ray Burner Company expanding into dual fuel package burners. Ray Burners have been sold since 1872.
- 2012: Selas acquired Red-Ray Manufacturing Company adding a full line of infrared process burners and support equipment. Red-Ray was founded in 1939 and is a global leader in infrared radiant process burners.
- 2013: Selas acquired Ensign Ribbon Burners-ERB LLC adding a full line of line and ribbon burners. ERB was founded in 1907 and was granted the first ribbon burner patent in 1940.
- 2013: Selas acquires Webster Engineering, leading manufacturer of custom and semi-custom multi-fuel boiler burners for the commercial, institutional and industrial markets. The company was rebranded Webster Combustion.
- Present: Selas products in use all over the world supported by the people of Selas Heat Technology LLC. New products and applications are being developed to support our customers and develop new markets together to remain competitive in the global industrial marketplace.
Selas Locations in the USA
- 1908: The German company opened an American branch. A one room office selling equipment and parts to American gas equipment manufacturers.
- 1916: Leased first factory space in Canton, OH.
- 1918: The company returned to New York and was taken over by the World War I office of Alien Property Custodian.
- 1918: Purchased by the United Utilities and Service Corporation and completely independent of the German affiliation.
- 1919: Moved to Philadelphia, at Richmond and Erie Avenues.
- 1922: Moved to 940 N. Front Street in Philadelphia.
- 1924: Moved to 438 East Girard Street in Philadelphia.
- 1942: Research laboratory started expanding products into a wide range of combustion applications for the Glass, Fiberglass, Steel, Petrochemical and Forging/Heat Treat industries.
- 1956: Moved to Dresher, PA.
- 2006: Moved to Montgomeryville, PA.
- 2013: Moved global headquarters to Streetsboro, Ohio.
- Present: Selas products in use all over the world supported by the people of Selas Heat Technology LLC. New products and applications are being developed to support our customers and develop new markets together to remain competitive in the global industrial marketplace.
- July 7, 1903: Birth of the Selas Combustion Controller, US Patent application filed for “Apparatus for Mixing and Gas for Illuminating Purposes”. Patent granted August 15, 1905, US Patent # 797,361
- 1933: Birth of ceramic usage in burners. Patented soldering iron with ceramic burner inside of copper tip.
- 1940: Dryer for printing webs.
- 1940: First cup shaped radiant burner.
- 1940: First full scale ceramic production using “direct radiant gas firing” in ceramic kilns.
- 1943: Patent on Firecheck.
- 1946: Superheat burner developed. Refractory type enclosed combustion space.
- 1960: The Qual-O-Rimeter is introduced to automatically adjust control of premix systems and also develop the technology for up Trim Blending of gaseous fuels.
- Present: Selas products in use all over the world supported by the people of Selas Heat Technology LLC. New products and applications are being developed to support our customers and develop new markets together to remain competitive in the global industrial marketplace.
