In or about 1913 the Jordan Machine Co. was founded in Philadelphia by Edward A. Jordan, to manufacture his patented box-making machinery. In about October 1914 the company relocated to Norristown, Pa. In late 1915 the company experienced a cash-flow crisis and was forced into receivership. One of the receivers, Emile J. Luster, took the lead in reorganizing and recapitalizing the business as the Luster-Jordan Co., Inc., which occurred in June 1916. The new capital funded an expansion of their manufacturing capacity as well as an expanded sales force, which paid off in greatly increased sales, both domestically and overseas.

It appears that in 1924 the business was again in some sort of difficulty. In December of 1924, the Luster-Jordan company's assets were leased by John F. Hoy, Harry F. Hoy and Sidney C. Greve, who then formed the Luster Jordan Manufacturing Co., and continued to make box-making machinery. They purchased the assets outright in 1936, which was then the official end of the old Luster-Jordan Co. The Luster Jordan Manufacturing Co. continued to manufacture box-making machinery until 1979, when the business was acquired by Joseph Indelicarto.

Information Sources

• January 1914 The Packages has an ad from Jordan Machine Co., Philadelphia, "manufacturers of the Jordan Automatic Machinery for Locked Corner Wooden Boxes".
• September 1914 The Packages lists attendees at a Detroit conference of box makers, including (with photograph) L. P. Warner of Jordan Machine Co., Philadelphia.
• October 1914 The Packages has an ad from Jordan Machine Co., Philadelphia.
• November 1914 The Packages has an ad from Jordan Machine Co., Norristown.
• 1916 Industrial Directory of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lists Jordan Machine Co., Washington St. near Franklin Ave., Norristown, as a manufacturer in the category of "machinery and parts". They had 25 male employees (including 6 in the office), and no females or minors.
• 1916-01-15 The Waste Trade Journal. "Alfred D. Warner, Jr., and Emil J. Luter [sic] have been appointed receivers for the Jordan Machine Co., Norristown, Pa. The indebtedness of the company is $57,000 not including a mortgage of $12,000."
• February 1916 The Packages has a lengthy article on a convention of wooden-box manufacturers. Attendees included L. P. Warner of the Jordan Machine Co., Norristown, Pa.
• March 1916 Steam. "Alfred D. Warner, Jr. and Emil J. Luter [sic] have been appointed receivers for the Jordan Machine Company, Norristown, Pa. The company was doing a profitable business, but was short of ready cash."
• 1916-06-29 The Iron Age. "The Luster-Jordan Company, Inc., has acquired the plant and business of the Jordan Machine Company, Norristown, Pa., and will continue the manufacture of the Jordan lock-corner wood box machinery. Additional equipment has been installed which enables the company to build special machinery, jigs, tools, fixtures, etc. E. J. Luster, vice-president and general manager, is in active charge of the company."
• November 1916 Barrel and Box.

  The Luster-Jordan Company, Norristown, Pa., manufacturers of box machinery, speaks of its business as follows:

  “We are very busy indeed. The fact is that the best delivery we can quote on any box machines today is three to four months. We find that there is considerable demand for locked corner box machines in the eastern part, that is, east of Chicago. Recently we have also developed a very nice business on the Pacific coast and are going into Canada. In comparison to the former Jordan Machine Co., would say that we have more than twice the capacity of the old company, and we have also installed a considerable amount of new machine tools; in fact, we have reorganized the company in every respect, not only in regard to machine tool equipment, but also in regard to general facilities, such as sanitary conditions and safety devices.

  "As to the future, as far as we can judge, we believe there is a great deal of substantial business ahead, and indications are that these conditions will last for some time to come. We have also noticed recently that the foreign market seems to have improved substantially, particularly in the South American countries and Australia.“

• April 1917 Machinery has an article on the Jordan automatic profile shaper from the Luster Jordan Co., Inc., Franklin Ave. and Washington St., Norristown, Pa.
• 1917-04-05 American Machinist has an article on an automatic profile shaper from this firm.
• 1917-08-23 The Iron Age has an article on a Lathe for Turning Torpedo Heads, which was built for the Spanish government by the Luster-Jordan Co.
• October 1917 Mill Supplies. "The. Lester-Jordan [sic] Machine Co., Norristown, Pa., plans to erect an addition to its plant on Washington street."
• 1918-07-11 The Iron Age. "About 100 employees at the plant of the LusterJordan Machine Co., Norristown, Pa., declared a strike July 3, due to the refusal of the company to continue the employment of a discharged foreman."
• From ads in 1919 and 1920 issues of The Wood-Worker. One ad shows a four-corner trimmer, which uses eight saw-blades to cut four tenons at once.
• Ad in March 1921 The Wood-Worker for the Jordan four-corner trimmer, from the Luster-Jordan Company, Inc.
• Ad in April 1921 The Wood-Worker for the Jordan lock-corner cutter, from the Luster-Jordan Company, Inc. An ad from machinery dealer Cordesman-Rechtin Co. lists "Lock-corner machine, Luster-Jordan, also style B setting-up machine; belt drive; BRAND NEW; never used, arrived after close of war. Very rapid producer; can show same machine in use here; cost $8,000; our price net cash, $4,500."
• Ad in May 1921 The Wood-Worker for the Jordan setting-up machine, from the Luster-Jordan Company, Inc.
• Information on the 1979 acquisition is from a 2019 email from Joseph Indelicarto.