Control What Matters with PENN®
For over 100 years, PENN® has helped customers control temperature, pressure and air flow in vital equipment across industries and applications. Our longtime passion for commercial refrigeration leads us to develop ever smarter, more sophisticated control products and solutions…serving ever-expanding customer needs.
We ensure that our PENN® products meet new refrigeration compliances including A2L & A3 standards. We’re here to help you meet your sustainability standards and goals.
You can count on our rugged construction, precision engineering, breadth of selection and ongoing product support. Above all, PENN® brings you peace of mind and the freedom to control your world.
Learn about our legacy
1919
Ralph and Albert Penn, brothers from Delphi, IN, co-founded the Penn Electric Machine Company in Des Moines, IA. Its first product was the innovative Type S pressure switch, which Albert had developed to automatically operate electric motor driven water pumps.
1924
The Penn Electric Machine Company, having made a number of innovations already, was awarded its first patent, for a quick-acting switch mechanism invented by Albert Penn.
1932
The Penn Electric Machine Company introduces the first wall thermostat for residential service - the Type C thermostat.
1934
The first thermoelectric gas safety pilot system was introduced. It used a thermocouple heated by the pilot flame to hold the main gas valve open.
The first practical thermostat incorporating “heat anticipation” was introduced.
1935
The Magnaseal, a completely enclosed precision snap switch used in many different controls, was introduced.
The first differential pressure control for refrigeration was introduced.
1956
The first three-way water valve for water-cooled condensers on cooling towers was introduced.
1968
Recognizing a 50-year legacy of innovation, the Johnson Service Company acquired PENN® Controls, Inc., expanding its manufacturing capabilities and international business.
1986
PENN® Controls introduced its first electronic modular temperature control, the System 350, a product still manufactured today.
2009
System 450 was launched to help users control temperature, pressure and humidity, or all three at once.
2024
PENN® Controls introduced System 550, a first-of-its-kind modular electronic control solution with A2L refrigerant leak sensors and cloud connectivity.
Where we are
We’re not only looking back at PENN®’s 100+ year history. We’re looking forward to embarking on our next century of innovation in controls, with the momentum of our expertise to propel us. Opportunities are available for PENN® to bring reliable controls to restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, HVAC applications and beyond. With another 100 years ahead of us, the sky’s the limit for PENN® Controls.