While the Great Depression of the 1930's marked hard times for many, it proved to be a period of opportunity for Dixon T. Harbison and Charles A. Fischer. It was during that decade the two men pooled their extensive knowledge and backgrounds in the oil tool and steel industries and began the manufacture and sale of a line of oil well pumping equipment.
Harbison-Fischer manufacturing Company was founded and began operation in March of 1933 with a furnace, belt-drive machines and a Cadillac motor to turn the lathes. Dick Harbison's penchant for manufacturing precision inspired a comprehensive quality control system, assuring Harbison-Fischer customers of exacting performance standards, while Charles Fischer's sales calls in the oil fields of Texas sold the oilmen on the superior workmanship and economic benefits of Harbison-Fischer's efficient, dependable equipment.
During the intervening years Harbison-Fischer has developed, expanded upon and improved its products - both metallurgically and by precision workmanship - to the point where a complete line of H-F pumps, pump parts and accessories are now shipped to all parts of the oil-producing world. So while the business began as purely local, it has through the years developed into one of international prominence. H-F pumps are marketed worldwide under the registered trademark, "BEST PUMPS IN THE OIL PATCH."
Located for over 65 years in Fort Worth, H-F has been headquartered since 1982 in a state-of-the-art facility of more than 330,000 square feet in Crowley, Texas, just a few miles south of its original location. Though the original founders of Harbison-Fischer are now deceased, the company has continued to be privately held by the Fischer family since 1972. Charles K. Fischer, Sr. remains active in the company as Chairman of the Board. David and Kenny Fischer, grandsons of one of the original founders, are now active in the day-to-day operation of the company: David as President and Kenny as Senior Vice President, thus incorporating a third generation of Fischers into the company.
In 1985, Challenger Process Systems was acquired and is operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Harbison-Fischer. Challenger manufactures and markets process and environmental systems, ASME Code pressure vessels (including oil/water separators) and API/AWWA shop tanks.
A Canadian joint venture was also formed in 1985 and became a wholly owned subsidiary in 1995. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, it operates as Harbison-Fischer Canada Ltd.
The acquisition in early 1999 of the assets of John N. Martin Manufacturer, Inc. brought into the H-F product line the Martin rubber-guide cages, pressure-actuated plungers and polished rod clamps as well as the HF product line of stuffing boxes, polished rod clamps and pumping tees. The acquisition of an organization well known and well respected in the industry and one with philosophies and manufacturing objectives parallel to those of H-F was a logical step in broadening Harbison-Fischer's product offerings.
The dedication of H-F's people shows not only in the quality of their finished product but also in their length of service. Average tenure for H-F employees is 15 years, and approximately a third of these employees have been with the company for more than two decades. Their hard work and dedication to manufacturing only the highest quality products is one of the most important factors in the company's successful rise to the position of the world's largest manufacturer of sub-surface oil well pumps.
On January 3, 2011 Harbison-Fischer become part of Norris Production Solutions (NPS). NPS is an operating unit within Dover’s Fluid Management segment, and a leading manufacturer and provider of integrated products and solutions across the artificial lift spectrum for oil & gas production.
