Bacharach offers innovative solutions for precision instrumentation that makes HVAC-R safer, cleaner, and more energy-efficient. Through over 100 years of innovation, Bacharach is proud to provide customers with clean-tech solutions for gas and refrigerant leak detection, combustion and emissions analysis instrumentation, and energy management for commercial and industrial applications.
Serving the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industries by designing, manufacturing and supporting fixed and portable gas detection and monitoring instrumentation, Bacharach enables customers to increase productivity, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs, while protecting lives and the environment. Bacharach remains the company professionals turn to for quality products and market expertise.
Bacharach: Pioneers in Combustion Analysis
Bacharach Inc. began operations in 1909 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a family-owned manufacturing business chartered by Hermann Bacharach. The Company’s initial focus was on the development and production of instruments that measure air flow and gas sensing for combustion analysis.
Today, the business has expanded to include a complete line of products that detect, measure and monitor gases with portable and fixed (stationary) instruments. Bacharach’s history is rich with inventions, education, R&D initiatives, patented technologies and corporate acquisitions that have contributed to its current position as a respected industry leader. The timeline below shows the forward progress of the Bacharach history.
1909
Hermann Bacharach starts Business
Hermann Bacharach starts his own business as a provider of air flow meters and gas measuring instruments imported from Germany for local Pittsburgh mines.
1915
Manufacturing Facility in Downtown Pittsburgh
Bacharach Industrial Instrument Company is incorporated and the Company establishes its first manufacturing facility in downtown Pittsburgh.
1920’s
Rapid Growth & Expansion
Rapid growth continues. Bacharach expands its manufacturing capabilities to include temperature measuring and gas analysis instruments.
1935
Company Sold to Employees
Hermann Bacharach retires and sells the Company to four employees. Diesel test stands were launched.
1939
CO2 Gas Analyzer Developed
Bacharach develops the CO2 Fyrite® Orsat Gas Analyzer which replaces the lab-based Orsat for evaluating combustion efficiency. The Fyrite® “Classic” is still used today by many customers.
1940’s
Products Added to Diesel and Heating Service Lines
A number of products are added to both diesel and heating service lines establishing Bacharach as a world leader in measurement instruments.
1947
Smoke Tester Developed with Shell Oil
In conjunction with Shell Oil Co., the True Spot® smoke tester is developed
1962
Bacharach Becomes Publicly Traded Company
Bacharach was first traded on the stock exchange
1965
Bacharach Acquires Johnson-Williams
As a complement to its respected diesel and heating service lines, Bacharach acquires Johnson-Williams, a leading manufacturer of both portable instruments and continuous monitoring systems for combustible and toxic gases.
1966
Bacharach Purchased by AMBAC Industries, Inc.
Bacharach was purchased by AMBAC Industries, Inc., a diversified, technically oriented company involved in diesel fuel systems and industrial safety.
1969
Bacharach Develops Gas Detectors for Mining Industry
Bacharach developed one of the first portable gas detectors for the mining industry – the “Canary” as well as fixed gas detectors, indicators and alarms, marketed as the “Sentinel.”
1978
Leadership Shift to United Technologies Automotive Group
Leadership shifts to United Technologies Automotive Group. Bacharach’s broad range of products serves many markets including industrial, automotive, chemical and mining.
1980
Bacharach Develop Portable Electronic Combustion Analyzers
Bacharach engineers develop the CA1, one of the first portable electronic combustion analyzers.
1986
Former Executive from United Technologies Purchases Bacharach
Bacharach was purchased by Paul Zito, a former Vice President from United Technologies.
1989
Bacharach Acquires GMD Systems
Bacharach acquires GMD Systems, a leading producer of paper tape technology for the detection of acutely toxic gases.
1990’s
Multiple Patents Assigned to Bacharach
Patents are assigned to Bacharach for multiple gas detection instruments, including a selectable gas detector – sold as the Sniffer® 514M, a dual-sensor leak detector – marketed as the Informant® and halogen sensor technology used in the Tru Point® handheld leak detector.
1996
Joint Venture Projects Launched
Bacharach partnered with Scott Safety (a Tyco company) and GRI on joint venture projects.
2000
Heated Diode Technology Acquired
Bacharach purchased heated diode technology from Yokogawa Corporation of America. and developed sensors for combustible gases
2002
Optics Technology Patented
Bacharach acquired Janos Technology, patented optics technology used in Bacharach NDIR-based products, and launched HGM-300 refrigerant leak monitor (fixed).
2007
PNC Equity Acquires Bacharach
PNC Equity acquires Bacharach under Incline Equity management.
2008
Sensor Exchange Program Introduced
Bacharach introduced industry-unique B-Smart® sensor exchange program for the new INSIGHT® combustion analyzer.
2011
Fixed Gas Detection
The acquisition of the Murco Gas Detection Solutions in Ireland extends precision monitoring instruments in refrigeration.
2012
New Residential & Commercial Combustion Analyzers Launched
Bacharach launched new residential / commercial combustion analyzers – INSIGHT® Plus and InTech®.
2013
IR-based Fixed Gas Detection Line Launched
Bacharach launched a new proprietary IR-based fixed gas detection line, MGS-250.
2014
Bacharach Launches Tune-Rite™ Troubleshooting Software (Patent Pending)
Bacharach launches Tune-Rite® troubleshooting software for the INSIGHT® Plus combustion analyzer, making it one of the industry’s most popular contractor tools.
2017
FFL Partners Acquires Bacharach
FFL Partners adds Bacharach to its portfolio through a strategic acquisition.
2017
Data Management & Energy Solutions
Bacharach acquires Parasense gaining locations in Virginia and England, while procuring data management solutions, stationary and portable gas instrumentation and energy management for refrigeration product lines.
2018
Refrigerant Identification & Analysis
Bacharach acquires Neutronics, in Exton, PA for sensor technology and refrigeration gas analysis and identification products.
2021
MSA Safety Acquires Bacharach
Global safety equipment manufacturer, MSA Safety Incorporated, has completed its acquisition of Bacharach, Inc. Two great companies, both helping to keep people, places, and our planet safe for 100+ years, are now united in our pursuit of safety. Learn more