Buffalo Forge Company
Historic American industrial equipment manufacturer that evolved from blacksmithing forges into ventilation, heating, air-handling, and machine-tool equipment.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Buffalo Forge Company was an American industrial equipment manufacturer established in Buffalo, New York, in 1878 by brothers William F. Wendt and Henry Wendt. The business began by producing portable blacksmith's forges, serving metalworking shops and other industrial users. During the late nineteenth century it broadened its manufacturing base, adding drilling machines in 1883 and steam engines and pumps in 1889. This expansion placed the company within the wider market for industrial machinery rather than limiting it to forge equipment. The company later developed a substantial position in ventilation, heating, and air-handling equipment. Its history is closely associated with Willis Carrier, an engineer employed by Buffalo Forge who submitted designs in 1902 for a system generally recognized as the first modern air-conditioning system. Carrier subsequently left Buffalo Forge in 1915 to establish Carrier Engineering Corporation. Although Carrier's later company became the better-known air-conditioning name, Buffalo Forge was an important institutional setting in the development of early mechanical climate control. Buffalo Forge also manufactured heating equipment, dust collectors, and metal-cutting and metal-forming machinery. Its operations extended beyond Buffalo through plants in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company expanded partly through acquisitions and absorption of other manufacturers, including the George L. Squier Manufacturing Company in 1903 and the Buffalo Seam Pump Company in 1904. Buffalo Forge became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1941. Control remained associated with the Wendt family until 1981, when a hostile takeover by Ampco-Pittsburgh ended the family's ownership. Ampco-Pittsburgh later sold the company to Scotland-based Howard Group P.L.C. in 1993. Subsequent restructuring separated the company's businesses: Buffalo Machine Tools was formed from the machine-tool division in 1997, while the remaining Buffalo Forge business within the Howden group was renamed Howden Buffalo in 1999. As a result, Buffalo Forge is best understood as a historic industrial company and legacy brand rather than a continuing standalone manufacturer. Its importance rests on the breadth of its machinery portfolio, its role in early air-conditioning development, and its place in the consolidation of North American industrial-equipment manufacturing.
History
Buffalo Forge Company was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1878 by brothers William F. Wendt and Henry Wendt. Its initial business was the manufacture and sale of portable blacksmith's forges. These products served workshops and industrial users that needed compact equipment for heating and working metal. The company expanded its range in 1883 by adding drilling machines, followed in 1889 by steam engines and pumps. These additions moved Buffalo Forge toward a broader industrial-machinery model. The company's later development included ventilation, heating, air-handling, dust-collection, and metalworking equipment. Buffalo Forge operated multiple plants in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, giving it a manufacturing and market presence beyond its original Buffalo base. It also grew through corporate combinations. In 1903 it absorbed all plants of the George L. Squier Manufacturing Company, and in 1904 it did the same with the Buffalo Seam Pump Company. Buffalo Forge occupies a notable place in the history of air conditioning because Willis Carrier worked there as an engineer. In 1902 Carrier submitted drawings for a system recognized as the world's first modern air-conditioning system. He remained associated with Buffalo Forge until 1915, when he departed to form Carrier Engineering Corporation. The later prominence of Carrier's independent company should not obscure Buffalo Forge's role as the employer and industrial context in which this early air-conditioning work was developed. The company continued manufacturing a diverse range of industrial products, including heating equipment, dust collectors, and machinery for cutting and forming metal. Buffalo Forge was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1941. Ownership remained connected to the Wendt family for much of the company's history; Henry Wendt sold his interest back to William in 1916, while the family as a whole left ownership after a hostile takeover by Ampco-Pittsburgh in 1981. Ampco-Pittsburgh later sold Buffalo Forge to the Scotland-based Howard Group P.L.C. in 1993. During the subsequent period of restructuring, the machine-tool division was separated in 1997 to form Buffalo Machine Tools. In 1999, the Howden subsidiary containing the remainder of Buffalo Forge was renamed Howden Buffalo. These changes effectively ended Buffalo Forge as a standalone company and divided its legacy among successor operations. The company is therefore primarily remembered as a historic industrial manufacturer, an early producer of forge and machine tools, and an important site in the development of modern air conditioning.
- 1999
Howden Buffalo name adopted
[1]The Howden subsidiary containing the remainder of Buffalo Forge is renamed Howden Buffalo.
- 1997
Buffalo Machine Tools established
[1]The machine-tool division is separated into Buffalo Machine Tools.
- 1993
Sale to Howard Group
[1]Buffalo Forge is sold to Scotland-based Howard Group P.L.C.
- 1981
Ampco-Pittsburgh takeover
[1]A hostile takeover transfers control from the Wendt family to Ampco-Pittsburgh.
- 1941
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Buffalo Forge becomes listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1916
Henry Wendt sells his interest
[1]Henry Wendt sells his ownership interest back to his brother William.
- 1915
Willis Carrier leaves Buffalo Forge
[1]Carrier departs to establish Carrier Engineering Corporation.
- 1904
Buffalo Seam Pump Company plants absorbed
[1]The company absorbs all plants of Buffalo Seam Pump Company.
- 1903
George L. Squier Manufacturing plants absorbed
[1]Buffalo Forge absorbs all plants of George L. Squier Manufacturing Company.
- 1902
Carrier submits modern air-conditioning designs
[1]Buffalo Forge engineer Willis Carrier submits drawings for an early modern air-conditioning system.
Products and positioning
Historic industrial equipment manufacturer serving metalworking, mechanical engineering, ventilation, heating, and air-handling applications.
Forge equipment · 1878
Portable blacksmith's forges
Buffalo Forge began with portable blacksmith's forges, its foundational product line. These compact industrial tools were intended for blacksmithing and metalworking operations and established the company's original identity as a forge-equipment manufacturer.
Machine tools · 1883
Drilling machines
Added in 1883, drilling machines expanded Buffalo Forge into general machine tools. They formed part of the company's broader metalworking portfolio, which later included equipment for cutting and forming metal.
Industrial machinery · 1889
Steam engines and pumps
Buffalo Forge added steam engines and pumps in 1889. These products reflected the company's move from forge manufacture into power, fluid-handling, and general industrial equipment.
HVAC and industrial air systems
Ventilation and air-handling equipment
Ventilation, heating, and air-handling equipment became an important part of Buffalo Forge's mature industrial offering. The category connected the company with factory and commercial-building infrastructure and with the early development of mechanical air conditioning.
Industrial environmental equipment
Heating equipment and dust collectors
The company also manufactured heating equipment and dust collectors for industrial environments. These products complemented its ventilation and air-handling activities and addressed workplace air movement and particulate control.
Machine tools
Metal-cutting and metal-forming equipment
Buffalo Forge produced a range of machinery for cutting and forming metal. This business later provided the basis for the machine-tool division that was separated as Buffalo Machine Tools in 1997.
Brand decisions
1999
Remainder renamed Howden BuffaloStrategyBackground
The remaining Buffalo Forge activities were held in a Howden subsidiary after the company's ownership changes and business separation.
Action taken
The subsidiary containing the remainder of Buffalo Forge was renamed Howden Buffalo.
Aftermath
The Buffalo Forge name ceased to represent a standalone operating company.
1997
Separation of the machine-tool divisionStrategyBackground
Following the acquisition of Buffalo Forge by Howard Group, the company's businesses were reorganized.
Action taken
The machine-tool division was separated to create Buffalo Machine Tools.
Aftermath
The separation further divided the historic Buffalo Forge business into successor operations.
1981
Hostile takeover by Ampco-PittsburghM&ABackground
The Wendt family had remained associated with Buffalo Forge ownership, but control was challenged in a hostile takeover.
Action taken
Ampco-Pittsburgh acquired Buffalo Forge and ended the Wendt family's ownership.
Aftermath
The company later changed ownership again when it was sold to Howard Group P.L.C. in 1993.
1902
Development of an early modern air-conditioning systemProduct launchBackground
Engineer Willis Carrier was working at Buffalo Forge when he submitted drawings for a system recognized as the world's first modern air-conditioning system.
Action taken
Carrier developed and submitted the system's designs within the Buffalo Forge engineering environment.
Aftermath
Carrier later left Buffalo Forge in 1915 to establish Carrier Engineering Corporation, while Buffalo Forge remained associated with the early industrial development of air conditioning.
Recent events
- 1999
Remaining Buffalo Forge business is renamed Howden Buffalo[1]
Other
The Howden subsidiary containing the remainder of Buffalo Forge was renamed Howden Buffalo.
- 1997
Buffalo Machine Tools is created from the machine-tool division[1]
Other
The machine-tool division was separated into a business named Buffalo Machine Tools.
- 1993
Howard Group acquires Buffalo Forge[1]
M&A
Ampco-Pittsburgh sold Buffalo Forge to Scotland-based Howard Group P.L.C.
- 1981
Ampco-Pittsburgh acquires Buffalo Forge in hostile takeover[1]
M&A · Leadership change
A hostile takeover by Ampco-Pittsburgh ended the Wendt family's ownership of the company.
- 1941
Buffalo Forge becomes publicly listed[1]
Other
Buffalo Forge was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1904
Buffalo Forge absorbs Buffalo Seam Pump Company plants[1]
M&A
The company completed another industrial expansion by absorbing the plants of Buffalo Seam Pump Company.
- 1903
Buffalo Forge absorbs George L. Squier Manufacturing plants[1]
M&A
The company absorbed all plants of the George L. Squier Manufacturing Company.
- 1902
Willis Carrier develops an early modern air-conditioning system at Buffalo Forge[1]
Product launch
Engineer Willis Carrier submitted drawings at Buffalo Forge for a system recognized as the world's first modern air-conditioning system.
- 1889
Buffalo Forge adds steam engines and pumps[1]
Product generation
Steam engines and pumps became part of the company's industrial machinery portfolio.
- 1883
Buffalo Forge expands into drilling machines[1]
Product generation
The company broadened its product range beyond blacksmith's forges by adding drilling machines.
Sources1 sources
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