About General Machinery

Our History

As industry in Birmingham became electrified in the early 1900's, Crocker Wheeler Company of New Jersey, sent New Orleans native B.A. Schroder to open an office to take advantage of their new market. Schroder watched Birmingham's industry and opportunities grow and left the company in 1908 to start General Machinery Company. He originally started stocking Cocker Wheeler motors for electrical mining machinery, later becoming a Cutler Hammer distributor in 1913. He soon then broadened the company's scope by handling pumps during a slump in the mining industry. After Schroder's death in 1954, his son in law Ed Wilkinson operated the company until his death in 1972, at which time the company was purchased by Francis Crockard Jr. Soon thereafter Michael Balliet and Jerry Hope became shareholders and General Machinery continued to increase its market by entering into the compress air market with acquisition of Airmatco in 1974. Morrow Perry Hoist Company was acquired in 1976 to expand into the industrial hoist market. In 1995, General Machinery became one of two electrical distributors in Alabama to qualify for membership in the Association of High Technology Distribution (AHTD). AHTD is a organization consisting of manufactures and distributors that focus on the high tech automation products and solutions produced for Industrial, OEM, Integrator, Utility, Municipal and Process companies throughout North America and abroad.

In 1987, Gardner Denver Compressors Inc. acquired Joy Compressors while General Machinery purchased the Fred Chenowith Company for further expansion in the compressor market.

Who We Are Today

In 2007, Francis Crockard's sons, Frank and Paul Crockard became owners and have since developed General Machinery into four divisions including air products, electrical/automation, pumps and service, serving facilities of all sizes. While the main office remains in Birmingham, branch locations have since been opened in Mobile, Madison, and Montgomery to better serve the entire state of Alabama.

General Machinery in 1932 General Machinery in 1932

Birmingham Facility in 2010 Birmingham Facility in 2010

General Machinery Retail Sales General Machinery Retail Sales

Our Service Team

General Machinery Plant

In an effort to ensure optimum equipment performance at all times, General Machinery's experienced service team members work closely with our customers from start to finish. From training in operation and maintenance to fast, efficient, and comprehensive and reliable technical support, we are there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when our customers need help addressing the most challenging programs.