History

Artisan’s Earliest Beginnings

Before Artisan Industries was established in the United States, founder Bob Sinton began his trade career in England as an apprentice glass blower, working his way up to become a skilled coppersmith and mechanic. His skill earned him the responsibility of overseeing piping aboard the Cunard ocean liner Mauretania, a role that carried him across the Atlantic on the ship’s maiden voyage to America. During the housing boom of the 1920s, he also manufactured copper hot water tanks.

The “New” Artisan Industries

In July 1934, Jim Donovan and Ralph Jope joined Bob Sinton, marking the beginning of the “New” Artisan with an initial investment of $2,000 from Donovan’s savings. Starting in a modest workshop in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the company quickly grew by focusing on industrial markets and pioneering innovative solutions.

One of the company’s first notable successes came from manufacturing tinned copper tanks for whiskey blending following the end of Prohibition. Artisan generated approximately $10,000 in business during its first year, establishing the foundation for decades of industrial growth.

Postwar Expansion and Consolidation

Moved to larger facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts, to support growing operations. Fueled by World War II’s postwar boom, Artisan reinvested its earnings in new equipment and expanded its fabrication capabilities, helping the company respond to increasing industrial demand and begin manufacturing more of its own equipment.

Jet-Vac Corporation Founded

Ken Berrian founded Jet-Vac Corporation, beginning the development of specialized ejector vacuum equipment and systems that would later become an important part of Artisan’s process technology portfolio.

Metal Fabrication Capabilities Expand

Metal Fabricators Corporation became part of Artisan as the Metal Fab division, expanding the company’s manufacturing resources and supporting its continued growth in engineered industrial equipment.

ROTOTHERM® Trademark and Process Technology Innovation

Introduced the ROTOTHERM®, a groundbreaking horizontal, mechanically aided thin-film processor for challenging evaporation and reaction applications. This technology remains central to our offerings today.

During this period, Artisan also advanced its intellectual property portfolio with patented technologies including the Evaporator/Stripper™ and Fractionator, strengthening its capabilities for separating volatile components from nonvolatile process fluids.

Jet-Vac Acquisition

Artisan Industries acquired Jet-Vac Corporation to form one company operating as Artisan Industries, expanding its capabilities in ejector vacuum equipment, systems, and related process technologies.

New Manufacturing Facility

Erected the Castle Street building, adding more manufacturing space and a dedicated customer performance testing area.

Protherm™ Patent

Artisan was granted a patent for the Protherm™, a horizontal, mechanically aided evaporator system designed for rapid concentration of heat-sensitive, foaming, or toxic materials at a small scale.

Move to Stoughton

Relocated to a state-of-the-art 120,000 sq. ft. facility in Stoughton, Massachusetts, consolidating engineering, manufacturing, and two explosion-proof pilot plant testing suites all under one roof.

ASME Certificate of Authorization

Artisan received a Certificate of Authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, permitting the manufacture of pressure vessels in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Short Path Stripper® Process Patent

Granted a patent for a method to remove FFAs and toxins from edible oils using the Short Path Stripper®, streamlining oil purification processes without high temperatures or significant product loss.

ARTISAN X-D200 Modular System Release

In collaboration with SciPhy Systems, Artisan introduced the ARTISAN X-D200, a modular thin-film distillation system developed for solvent recovery in cannabinoid processing.

Acquisition of Unique Systems and Leadership Expansion

Acquired Unique Systems assets, a leading provider of process vacuum system components and assemblies, further diversifying our product portfolio.

In that same year, new leadership emphasized expanding the process technologies business unit, strengthening customer relationships, and advancing sustainable process solutions.

Future Growth and Leadership

Artisan continues to strengthen its Board of Directors as the company builds for its next stage of growth. The Board provides experienced guidance around long-term strategy, business development, and the continued advancement of Artisan’s process technologies.