Balcrank began in 1906 in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio’s “Machine Tool Colony” as the Cincinnati Ball Crank Company. The first products produced by Balcrank were handwheels and cranks used by the machine tool industry. That same year Balcrank became the first mass producer of starting cranks for automobiles. In 1908 Balcrank entered the automotive industry with the manufacturing of steering drag links. The steering drag links were an immediate hit. Almost every car manufacturer adopted these Balcrank drag links and for the first time, steering a car became an easy task, instead of a laborious chore.
To follow its drag links were ball-sockets for spark and throttle control. Next was the famous Balcrank “bumpers.” From that time on, Balcrank’s place in the automotive picture was set.
Always looking forward; in 1922 Balcrank entered the lubrication field. The company secured both the patents and services of Clyde Butler, one of the nation’s leading lubrication engineers. His inventions made Balcrank a pioneer in the field. He left behind scores of inventions which the world has adopted and still use today.
During World War II, Balcrank was one of the very first to offer its plant services and facilities for government use, at the end of the war, Balcrank had an “E” flag with four stars, which was indeed an honor. People always referred to the company as Ball Crank, so in 1943 the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the company to Balcrank, Inc.
Balcrank is one of the oldest manufacturers of automotive products. Many of the methods and devices used in lubrication service today stem from the basic patents of Balcrank and its engineers.
Balcrank now resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Weaverville, NC, and continues its rich history, and is still at the heart of the American automotive industry. Since its beginning, we have been providing our customers with the best products for the ever changing automotive and industrial markets that exist today. Balcrank and its employees want to thank you for the business of today, and looking forward to serving you tomorrow.
Balcrank Corporation
