Crain’s Chicago Business has listed Metropolitan Industries Inc. as one of the most innovative firms of 2012. Metropolitan ranked No. 15 out of 70 local companies in patent per capita output, with 3.8 patents issued per 100 employees in 2012, according to Crain’s research.
Metropolitan Industries Inc. is a single source supplier of pumps, control systems, complete packaged systems, and ancillary equipment serving the residential, commercial, municipal, industrial and mechanical markets.
Metropolitan officially added four patents in 2012:
A pump level sensor with the capability to detect water level by proximity to activate or deactivate a pump. A load sharing program designed to operate two or more dissimilar pumps with dissimilar hydraulic characteristics in unison, while drawing a commonality of electrical energy proportional to their individual load characteristics.
An energy-efficient pump rotor arrangement.
A solid-state sensing pump switch utilizing an accelerometer.
In addition, Metropolitan currently has approximately 20 patents pending.
“Earning the distinction as one of Crain Chicago’s most innovative firms reflects our commitment to research and development, which will remain critical to our success in future years,” said John Kochan Jr., CEO of Metropolitan Industries. “Patenting new products and technologies is not only beneficial to us as a business, but to our clients as well. All of the patents we obtain are designed to develop solutions to ultimately solve the most complex needs of our customers and provide rationale to the most vital industry questions.”
