Croncher #2 Sugar Cane Mill

      "Within the last month, the Geo. L. Squier Mfg. Co., one of the world's foremost manufacturers of sugar, coffee, rice and general plantation machinery, completed negotiations and acquired the full ownership of The Blymyer Iron Works Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, also large manufacturers of sugar, coffee and rice machinery.

      The Geo. L. Squier Mfg. Co. at the present time includes in its organization the Buffalo Forge Company, manufacturers of blacksmith tools and all types of cooling and drying equipment as well as ventilating fans, the Buffalo Steam Pump Company, manufacturers of all types of steam and centrifugal pumps, and their own organization, which is now amplified by the addition of The Blymyer Iron Works Company of Cincinnati.

      It is very appropriate that a brief history of the Squier Company be given here. It was most interesting for us to read this, and we know the customers of Mr. H. W. Wendt's organizations will also be greatly interested in knowing the age of this company and the many interesting periods in the growth of the sugar, coffee and rice industry, which it so faithfully served throughout these years. In 1857, or nearly seventy years ago, George I. Squier and brother began the manufacture of sugar machinery in a small factory at Buffalo. In 1882 one of the brothers died, and the business was then conducted under the name of George L. Squier Company. At this time sugar was manufactured in very small sugar factories generally, and a great portion was boiled over open fires and concentrated with consequent loss in recovery due to inversion and loss in final molasses. With the building of improved machinery, more efficient milling apparatus, steam evaporators, defecators and vacuum pans, more and more sugar was being recovered, and the Squier Company has always offered these improved types. In January, 1925, the business was incorporated, and shortly thereafter joined the organizations of the Buffalo Forge Company and the Buffalo Steam Pump Company, and became known as The Geo. L. Squier Mfg. Co., making a group of companies which manufactured and sold to the plantation owner equipment for any of his needs, whether this called for sugar, coffee or rice machinery, forge or machine shop equipment or pumps or pumping machinery. During all of this time the factories at Buffalo were being increased in size, the designs of the various machines were being constantly improved and investigations and experiments were being conducted in the various fields in the tropics and the United States to continually keep the Squier line of plantation machinery the most up-to-date to be obtained.

      At the present time the Squier Company manufactures complete sugar factories of any size or capacity and has adopted the slogan "From Cane to Sugar Bag," indicating the complete service which they offer. The factories at Buffalo are very large and include modern machine tools of great capacities, and The Squier Company is now specializing in the manufacture of large mills, large vacuum evaporators, and vacuum pans of all sizes for the largest centrals in any sugar growing country. Due to economies effected by this method of manufacture, in which the foundries, machine shops, erecting shops and engineering department are combined in one huge plant, very attractive prices can be quoted on this large machinery as well as the smaller types for which The Blymyer Iron Works Company and The Geo. L. Squier Manufacturing Company have been famous for more than half a century.

      The present corps of engineers consists of experienced sugar men, coffee and rice men with tropical plantation experience, as well as engineering education, and it is a pleasure, indeed, as expressed by many visitors from the tropics to the Buffalo factories, to pass through the huge factories at Buffalo and observe how the patterns are first constructed from designs made by these engineers, the finished castings turned out by their own foundries, final machining and erecting of such machines, and the careful tests which they undergo before they are knocked down, marked and packed for long ocean transportation.

      It will be noted that the Squier Company has grown with the various industries and aligned itself very closely to such growth. They can be justly proud of the many improved types of machines and apparatus which they have contributed to these industries, and the designs and processes we are sure have been of no small assistance in advancing the scientific production of these very important world commodities.

      With the addition of Blymyer Iron Works Company, the complete line of sugar, coffee and rice machinery, which the Squier Company has been manufacturing, is added to and the list of customers and friends increased. With this added equipment and variety of lines, as well as the engineering data and information, the sugar, rice and coffee industries can continue to look to this group of factories for expert advice and information in regard to the needs of their plantations. The head office of this entire group is now located in Buffalo, N. Y.. and all mail, as well as cables, should be addressed to them at that place.

      The Blymyer Iron Works Company was organized some fifty years ago, and its half century of service to the industry was rewarded by the installation of numerous complete sugar factories as well as individual units.

      Mr. Richard Bahmann, president and general manager of The Blymyer Iron Works Company for the greater portion of this time, is known personally to many planters, having traveled through the various sugar-growing countries and established friends and acquaintances everywhere. Mr. Bahmann extends his respects to all of his former clients and assures them that their requirements will now be served efficiently and promptly by the Squier organization.

      The president and chairman of the board of directors of the group of factories which now includes Blymyer Iron Works Company, Mr. Henry W. Wendt, is also very well known to hundreds of planters throughout the tropics. Friendships made during his many visits to their plantations, as well as during visits of the planters to the large factories at Buffalo, have given Mr. Wendt a comprehensive insight and understanding of the problems of the planter.

      Mr. Wendt confirms the expression of Mr. Bahmann, and further assures old customers manufacture, in which the foundries, machine and friends of The Blymyer Iron Works Company of his personal interest in their problems, and extends the services of his group of engineers to assist them in choosing the proper equipment to meet their needs.

Information Sources

• Our Police and Our City, Buffalo, NY, Bensler & Wesley, 1893
• Louisiana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer, 06 Mar., 1926, V76, #10, Pg. 193