OPERATING COMPANY PROFILE
Cook Compression
http://www.cookcompression.com
Mr. Charles Lee Cook, an invalid since his first year of life, founded C. Lee Cook in 1888. His invention of a floating mechanical packing to reduce steam leakage from the piston rods of steam engines still serves as the basis for a major portion of our product line today. At the turn of the 20th century, Cook's sealing products and piston rings focused on steam power, as that was the main driver in industry - both land and marine. But with the roaring twenties came the emergence of large internal combustion engines and reciprocating compressors to address the growing natural gas transmission market, and Cook's product changed to meet the demanding needs of this new equipment. Innovations in seal and ring design and material development have always been Cook's focus--resulting in the engineering leadership role it has held for over a century.
With this strong history, Cook's corporate structure took a dramatic turn in the mid-fifties. In 1955, C. Lee Cook along with Rotary Lift, Peerless Manufacturing, and the W. C. Norris Company were merged to form Dover Corporation (so named because it was incorporated in Dover, Delaware). Fred Durham, Cook's owner following Mr. Cook's death in 1928, became Dover's first President and Chairman, and guided Dover's growth until his retirement in 1970. While Dover Corporation has acquired more than a hundred companies since its founding, C. Lee Cook has the distinction of being one of the original companies that make up what is now a $6 billion dollar plus corporation.
While Cook has operated on its present site near downtown Louisville, Kentucky since the late 1800's, various expansions and acquisitions of land and buildings have accrued over the years until the facility now occupies over four acres with 130,000 sq. ft. under roof. In addition, Cook now has manufacturing operations in Houston, Texas, and Service Centers in New Orleans and Los Angeles. Recently, it has been renamed Cook Compression.
Locations
Louisville, KY
Houston, TX
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