History

From a continuous spray pump in California's orchards in the 1880s to some of the world's most sophisticated technology and equipment for the oilfield service, food processing and air transportation industries, FMC Technologies and its predecessor companies have a long history of technical innovation. FMC Technologies traces its roots to 1884 when inventor John Bean developed a new type of spray pump to combat San Jose scale in California's orchards. When neighbors clamored for the device, Bean Spray Pump Company was born.

At first, the company made agricultural equipment, but mergers in the late 1920s with makers of food processing equipment and cannery machinery for vegetables, created a larger company requiring a new name - Food Machinery Corporation.

By the mid-1930s, FMC was the world's largest manufacturer of machinery and equipment for handling fruits, vegetables, milk, fish and meat products. And as World War II began, FMC entered the defense business, making amphibious tractors and tanks for the military.

In the post-war boom, FMC introduced continuous freezers, providing for assembly-line production of pre-packaged frozen foods and made strides in sterilization of canned foods. The boom also prompted acquisitions in chemicals and petroleum equipment.

In 1961 the diverse, global company changed its name to FMC Corporation, and in 1966 sales topped $1 billion. By the early 1970s, FMC had 42,000 employees and a new Chicago headquarters. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s and into the 21st century, the company pursued new businesses. In 2000, FMC announced a plan to restructure into two companies - one a machinery and equipment business (FMC Technologies); the other a chemicals business (FMC Corporation). FMC Technologies, Inc. became a newly listed public company on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2001, with an intial public offering of approximately 17 percent of its stock.

1880s

John Bean invents a continuous spray pump to battle scale in his almond orchards. Neighboring growers clamor for the innovative device and a new business is born.

Early 1900s

David Crummey, John's son-in-law, incorporates the Bean Spray Pump Company and begins large-scale manufacturing.

1920s

Mergers add canning and fruit businesses to portfolio. John Bean stock (FMC) introduced to the San Francisco Exchange. John Bean Mfg. Company becomes Food Machinery Corporation and citrus packing, fruit handling and treating companies are added.

1930s

FMC's Al Thompson invents the mechanical peach pitter. Peerless Pumps, a West Coast manufacturer of deep-well turbine pumps is acquired.
FMC is the world's largest manufacturer of equipment for handling fruits, vegetables, milk, fish and meat and is now the industry leader in turbine pump sales. Its pumps are used in water projects during the Great Depression.

1940s

FMC enters the defense business and begins producing amphibious vehicles for the military. The company receives a $60 Million order for military vehicles - seven times the prior year's revenue.
With the acquisition of the Westvaco Chemical Corporation in 1948, FMC's name changed to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation to more accurately reflect the company's expansion into the chemical business.

1950s

FMC creates a citrus juicer that revolutionizes the citrus industry. In 1954, Petro-Tex, a joint venture is formed with Tennessee Gas Transmission Company to create what would later become known as Tenneco.

1960s

FMC develops cargo handling systems for jet aircraft, underwater wellhead equipment is developed for offshore drilling, and a bar code warehousing system is created for the Kroger Company.
FMC divides its operations into four groups: Machinery, Chemical, Fiber and Film, and Ordinance.

1970s

Corporate office relocates to Chicago. Corporate trademark is created and launched.

1980s

FMC is awarded a $206 million contract to produce fighting vehicles and achieves more than $1 billion in international sales.
FMC establishes FMC Gold Company, a profitable precious metal producer, and makes initial investments in subsea wellhead and completion systems product lines marking the beginnings of FMC Energy Systems.

1990s

The purchase of Kongsberg Offshore a.s., makes FMC the world's largest subsea engineering, procurement and construction company. FMC also purchases SOFEC Inc., maker of turreted mooring systems for oilfield applications such as FPSOs and terminals.
FMC acquires Jetway Systems, world leader in passenger boarding bridges.
The year 1995 is marked by the purchase of Smith Meter, the industry's leading name in liquid measurement for the oilfield industry. In addition, FMC forms key subsea alliances with Shell Offshore (Gulf of Mexico) and Statoil (North Sea).
The following year, 1996, FMC purchases Frigoscandia Equipment, the industry leader in freezing technologies, thus solidifying its place as the leading Food Technologies provider.
FMC makes further investments in deepwater subsea technologies with the purchase of CBV Subsea, Brazil's leading supplier to the subsea oilfield exploration industry.
In the 1990s, FMC also acquires National Oilwell Fluid Control Systems and forms alliances with TotalFinaElf, Exxon/Mobil and FedEx.

2000

FMC purchases the North American leader in bakery freezing, Northfield Freezing.
FMC and Norsk Hydro form an alliance for development of Norsk Hydro's subsea fields.
FMC announces plans to restructure the company into two separate, publicly traded companies - a machinery business (FMC Technologies) and a chemicals business (FMC Corporation).

2001

FMC and British Petroleum sign a framework agreement to provide subsea systems for use in BP's Gulf of Mexico developments.
FMC Technologies, Inc. begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange - Ticker Symbol: FTI - on June 14.
FMC Technologies becomes a totally separate, independent company on December 31.

2002

First High Pressure/High Temperature vertical subsea tree system developed for BP's Thunder Horse field.
Shell/FMC Technologies subsea alliance results in 50% reduction in installation times and 60% reduction in delivery times.
Awarded contract for ExxonMobil (Mobil Equatorial Guinea) Zafiro Southern Expansion Area project (West Africa).

2003

Acquired controlling interest (55%) in CDS Engineering, a developer of unique oil/gas separation technology.
Formed joint venture company, GTL MicroSystems, for commercial development of gas-to-liquids technology.
Advanced multiphase and ultrasonic metering technology.
Entered into subsea alliance agreement with Kerr-McGee in the Gulf of Mexico and was chosen by Woodside Energy (Australia) as a preferred supplier.

2004

Subsea systems sales exceeded $1 billion.
Advanced electric subsea tree and subsea processing technologies.
Signed agreements for BP Block 18 (Greater Plutonio - Angola), Norsk Hydro Ormen Lange (Norwegian North Sea) and Woodside Energy Enfield (Western Australia).
Achieved world-record water depth record (7,570 feet) with the installation of subsea trees for Shell on the Coulomb project (Gulf of Mexico).
Exchanged ownership in MODEC International LLC for cash and stock in MODEC, Inc., for $36 million after-tax gain and significant ownership in one of the leading Floating Production Storage and Offshore system manufacturers in the world.

2005

Subsea production equipment agreement signed with Anadarko Petroleum for the Independence Hub project (Gulf of Mexico), under the existing Anadarko/FMC Technologies alliance.
Chosen to provide Statoil with Subsea Riserless Light Well Intervention technology over a multi-year period.
Signed agreement to provide Total with subsea systems for the Moho Bilondo project, Offshore Congo, West Africa.