Our History

1926 - 2001

Enjoying over 75 years within the vending industry, the story of Crane Merchandising Systems is one of continuous growth, ceaseless innovation, and global expansion.

In 1926, post World War I industry was booming. A cigarette machine called the "Smoketeria" had already been invented, but had a slight defect in that it would accept flat buttons, cardboard discs, or other non-coins as payment. B. E. Fry, a St. Louis businessman, turned this problem into an opportunity by creating a foolproof vendor that accepted only real coins. Thus, the National Sales Machine Company was born.

By 1931, Fry's new company was manufacturing quality merchandisers for cigarettes, candy, sandwiches, grocery, and baked goods. However, the great depression swallowed up the young company in 1932. Convinced that father's ideas were sound, however, Fry's son, Ben W. Fry, launched National Vendors, Inc. in spring of 1933. His first project was a larger, upgraded cigarette vendor. With better design, materials and workmanship, the machine was immediately recognized as the finest cigarette merchandiser on the market. In 1934 Al Diederich joined Ben Fry to give National Vendors the administrative strength needed to grow and prosper in the troubled 30s and 40s. Diederich established a sales network, designed an equipment financing program, and the company continued to grow in size. National Vendors earned the reputation of being a quality manufacturer.

During World War II, National Vendors joined the War effort by converting operations to the production of mortar ammunition casings. Then, to ride the wave of industrial expansion in the postwar boom, the company returned to vending equipment to meet the growing demand for convenient cigarettes, candy and pastry. By 1956, progress toward leadership in the rapidly developing automatic merchandising industry had attracted interest, and National Vendors was acquired by the Universal Match Company (UMC). UMC also acquired five additional, diverse companies, enlisting their talented employees and versatile facilities in the vending effort. As a result, National Vendors was able to introduce several new products and eventually develop into a full-line marketer, serving the public's need for readily available Hot and Cold Beverage, Food, Ice Cream, Milk, Candy, and Cigarettes. In late 1967, National Vendors introduced its first full line of automatic merchandising equipment.

By 1973, the company was making advances in product lines through a number of innovative features, including uniform styling of merchandisers, regional distribution, direct service, and offering field service training and repair assistance. In 1985, National Vendors was acquired by Crane Co., and we became Crane National Vendors. Crane Co. is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products, serving niche markets in aerospace, fluid handling, controls, engineered materials, automatic merchandising, and the wholesale distribution of construction materials and related products. With a firm commitment to our growth and continued success, Crane's management has made National Vendors the largest full line manufacturer of vending equipment today. Crane Co. has also provided a commitment to research and development that matches our inventive spirit, creating the opportunity to turn innovative ideas into reality.

A 25 million-dollar investment by Crane Co. in the mid-1990s allowed National Vendors to redesign product lines, and upgrade and expand manufacturing facilities to be the most modern in the world for the production of automatic merchandising equipment. This pioneering approach has advanced our leadership position not only in the United States, but internationally as well. No other company in the industry has devoted more resources to new product development/maintenance programs and manufacturing facility upgrades. This is illustrated in every machine throughout our 10 product lines.

The year is 2001. Crane National Vendors - now Crane Merchandising Systems - has enjoyed over seven decades of dynamic growth and record achievement since Ben W. Fry first introduced his high quality products to the merchandising industry. With continued innovation and new designs, the years to come look bright, and National Vendors will continue to "Reshape the Future of Automatic Merchandising Equipment."