Jenike & Johanson is celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of engineering innovation, scientific leadership, and problem-solving in bulk solids handling. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Andrew Jenike, the company has helped transform bulk solids handling from a largely trial-and-error discipline into a field grounded in material testing, flow science, and proven engineering principles. Today, Jenike & Johanson continues to apply that foundation to some of the most complex storage, feeding, conveying, and processing challenges faced by industry.
For 60 years, the company has partnered with manufacturers, processors, equipment suppliers, and engineering organizations around the world to improve the reliability, safety, and performance of bulk material handling systems. Its engineers work across industries including mining, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, energy, cement, biomass, and advanced materials.
"Reaching our 60th anniversary is a meaningful milestone, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead," said Brian Pittenger, Vice President at Jenike & Johanson. "The materials, processes, and operating demands facing industry continue to evolve. Our responsibility is to keep advancing the science, developing practical solutions, and helping our clients solve the challenges that stand in the way of reliable production."
Throughout its history, Jenike & Johanson has remained focused on a fundamental engineering principle: successful equipment and process design begins with understanding how the material will behave. The company combines laboratory testing, analytical design, physical modeling, computational tools, and field experience to develop solutions tailored to the specific material and operating conditions of each application.
That science-based approach has helped clients address problems such as arching, ratholing, segregation, uncontrolled flow, feed rate limitations, transfer chute plugging, caking, attrition, purging and conditioning, abrasive wear, and inconsistent discharge. It has also supported the development of new processes and technologies in areas ranging from traditional manufacturing to renewable energy and sustainable waste management.
As industry requirements become more demanding, Jenike & Johanson continues to expand its capabilities through advanced modeling, physical testing, process development, and proprietary technologies. Recent innovations reflect the company's ongoing commitment to solving challenges that cannot be addressed through conventional equipment selection alone.
The company also remains committed to education and knowledge sharing. Through technical publications, seminars, short courses, webinars, and industry presentations, Jenike & Johanson engineers help train the next generation of professionals responsible for designing and operating bulk solids systems.
"Dr. Jenike's work established a scientific framework that changed the way engineers approach bulk solids," said Herman Purutyan, CEO at Jenike & Johanson. "Sixty years later, that pioneering spirit continues to guide us. We are proud of our history, but our focus remains on the next difficult problem and the next opportunity to move the industry forward."
As Jenike & Johanson enters its seventh decade, the company will continue building on its legacy as a trusted engineering advisor, combining established bulk solids science with new technologies and creative problem-solving to support safer, more reliable, and more sustainable industrial operations.