Description

H & B Machine Corporation, established in 1947 by Joseph Bracht, began as a maintenance machine shop serving the burgeoning graphic arts industry. Early on, the company identified a need for portable yet robust lifting devices to handle heavy components on-site, leading to the development of their signature portable gantries. Initially constructed entirely from steel, these gantries were designed for ease of transport and operation, often managed by a single individual. The advent of World War II introduced aluminum as a structural material, enabling H & B to innovate further by creating aluminum gantries in the early 1960s. These models were lighter and more maneuverable, quickly gaining popularity, especially among machinery movers, millwrights, and bank vault installers. During the 1960s, the rise of air conditioning installations in commercial and office buildings created a new demand for compact, lightweight lifting equipment. H & B's aluminum gantries proved ideal for tight spaces like equipment and boiler rooms, facilitating the installation and maintenance of heavy HVAC components without dedicated material handling infrastructure. Today, H & B Machine Corporation serves a global clientele, particularly mechanical contractors, offering over ten standard gantry models alongside custom-designed solutions tailored to specific needs. The company also provides a rental program for gantries, I-beams, hoists, trolleys, and machinery dollies. Staying true to its roots, H & B operates a full-service machine and welding shop, handling specialty components, repairs, and short-run production. Their capabilities include CNC machining, turning up to 120 inches in length, boring mill work, surface grinding, and TIG welding. Now in its second generation of family ownership, H & B Machine Corporation continues to deliver quality products and services that meet precise industrial requirements.