History And Timeline

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Sparkler Filters Inc. – A Legacy of Innovation in Filtration

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For nearly a century, Sparkler Filters® has been the trusted leader in industrial liquid-solid separation. Headquartered just outside Houston, Texas, USA, we manufacture high-quality filtration equipment built to ASME and National Board Certification standards, delivering unmatched reliability and performance across a range of industries

A Legacy of Innovation in Filtration
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Early Innovations and Foundations

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1927

Aloysius C. Kracklauer founds Sparkler Filters Inc. in Illinois, introducing a small vacuum filter primarily used in beverage filtration.

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Aloysius filter

1929

Kracklauer files a patent for the first household water filter. Despite his strong belief in the idea and personal investment, the product was ultimately a commercial failure—at the time, people did not yet perceive their water as being "dirty."

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1930s

Sparkler shifts its focus to industrial filtration, developing multiple patents and expanding its footprint across the region.

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World-Changing Advancements in Filtration

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1942

Sparkler Filters develops the world’s first multiple-plate filter—now known simply as a “Sparkler”—revolutionizing industrial filtration. This breakthrough allows manufacturers across industries to increase production, forever changing the way filtration is utilized

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1945

During World War II, Sparkler Filters supplies filtration equipment to the U.S. Air Force, supporting military operations

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1956

Sparkler develops the first rubber-lined, self-cleaning vertical plate filter for use in specialized electroplating applications. In August of the same year, Sparkler introduces the first cooking oil filter—now known as Oil-Max—designed primarily for restaurant use.

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1950

Sparkler becomes the largest industrial filtration company in the world, expanding manufacturing operations to three locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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Expansion and Continued Leadership

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1960

Sparkler moved its headquarters from Mundelein, IL to Conroe, TX to support growth and better serve the industrial market. Conroe remains our corporate HQ and main manufacturing plant—reflecting our commitment to quality, innovation, and American manufacturing.

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1977

Sparkler celebrates 50 years of operation, marking a half-century of patents, technological advancements, and contributions to global manufacturing

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James Reneau

1922

James Reneau, the newly appointed president of Sparkler, is awarded a patent for what is now known as the Nutsche Filter Dryer, further expanding the company’s product offerings.

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Modern Focus and Future Growth

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2010s

Sparkler consolidates international operations to focus exclusively on U.S. manufacturing and engineering, ensuring higher quality control and better service to customers.

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2020s

Sparkler continues to lead the way in industrial filtration, partnering with industries worldwide to provide solutions for some of the most complex manufacturing challenges. The company plays a vital role in advancing modern manufacturing, including:

  • Alternative energy, recycling and lithium production
  • COVID-19 pharmaceutical development, APIs and testing equipment
  • Emerging markets such as CBD, biotech and agricultural innovations
  • Reindustrialization efforts to bring manufacturing back to the United States
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Commitment to Excellence and American Manufacturing

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As the inventor of numerous industrial filtration products and over 50 patents, Sparkler Filters stands as the oldest industrial filtration company in the world, predating competitors like Pall Corporation by nearly two decades. While many industry players have come and gone, and others have been acquired by multinational conglomerates outsourcing production overseas, Sparkler remains committed to American engineering and manufacturing.

For almost a century, Sparkler has focused exclusively on solid-liquid separation, making us the undisputed leader in this niche market. Our dedication ensures that our customers receive the highest-quality filtration solutions, allowing them in turn to produce the best possible products for their customers.

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As our late founder wrote in a 1957 internal memo, “A high moral obligation exists toward all installations.' We recognize that our work carries tremendous consequences—not only for our customers but also for their employees, shareholders, and ultimately the public.”

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With that understanding, we are committed to ensuring that every customer receives the best possible equipment for their specific application.

At Sparkler, we don’t just build filters—we build partnerships, innovation, and reliability.

Click here to learn more about what a partnership with Sparkler means for you.

Optional Finishes & Treatments
Standard Flow Precoat Bodyfeed
Dry Cake Discharge transport
Dry cake discharge container
Dry Cake Discharge Collection Tray
Dry Cake Discharge Filter Setup
Sparkler WCD system integrated with rotary drum filter for slurry separation.
Wet Cake Discharge connected to slurry tank and pump system for solids removal.
Wet Cake Discharge with Slurry Pit
Wet Cake Discharge filter setup
Mineral Recovery
Nutsche filter type