Crowder Jr

Since industry began converting from steam and waterpower to electricity, the Crowder Jr. Company has been helping industrial and commercial enterprises throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond to make this source of energy more useful, convenient and economical. Harry N. Crowder, Jr., the visionary for the business, was a Brooklyn-bred steam-packin... g equipment salesman who traveled extensively throughout western New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania selling his products. Being favorably impressed with the area and his customer base, in 1908 Harry settled in Easton, Pennsylvania and became a manufacturers' representative. Charles F. Crowder joined his brother, Harry, in 1914 and together they formed the H. N. Crowder Jr. Company. The new business was located at 235 Ferry Street in Easton. With the help of three employees, the business took off and hasn't looked back since! As the demand for electrical and mechanical services grew and changed, so did Crowder Jr. Company. In the mid 1960's, Harry Crowder and his family were succeeded by the family of Ernest W. Kuhnsman, a faithful and key employee since 1919. The Kuhnsman family continued the tradition with Ernest and then William, his son, operating the business until the mid 1990's. George J. Hoagland Jr. became President and CEO in 1993. Three years later he and his wife, Rachel J. (née Hazuda), succeeded the Kuhnsman family in ownership and continue the leadership tradition today. During the 1990's after assuming ownership the Hoaglands successfully took Crowder Jr. Company through reorganization and reconfigured the business to align with the prevailing regional economy. And throughout the early years of 2000 providing specific quality technical support to the diverse local industries was refocused. Recognizing opportunity and growth potential within their already existing Emergency Standby Generator business the Hoaglands decided in 2011 to establish it as its own department. This proved to be a prudent decision, and more niche business segments are expected ...Read More