Display of historical SOR products

Control Equipment Company

A History of Progress

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Continuing to Grow. Continuing to Lead.

Over the past 75 years, SOR Controls Group has evolved from humble beginnings into a globally recognized control instrumentation manufacturer specializing in the design and manufacturing of electronic and mechanical instrumentation for measuring pressure, temperature, level, and flow. Not content to stop there, we became an established expert in grab sampling systems.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, we’ve been expanding our presence by adding regional offices in Beijing, China and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as well as manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas and Rochester, New York. At the heart of our growth is a commitment to producing quality products and making the complex simple.

SOR Controls Group actively serves all sectors of the process industry and has significant experience with the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Chemical, and Power segments. When you work with our team, you get the guarantee of reliable solutions that are delivered quickly, backed by superior customer service, and industry leading warranties.

SOR Controls Group History

Click on a year to explore our 75+ year story.

1946
1951
1956
1965
1970s
1978
1982
1985
1990
1992
1993
1996
1997
2006
2009
2012
2013
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2014
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2015
2016
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2018
2018
2019
2020

1946

Roy Dunlap starts MechniArts, a machine shop, with $2,000 from the Navy for his service during WWII.

1951

MechniArts develops and manufactures in-flight tray tables to serve hungry passengers on TWA Airlines.

1956

Roy Dunlap and University of Kansas Physics professor Ben Brown invent the static-o-ring pressure switch.

1965

MechniArts changes its name to Static O Ring to capitalize on the brand name of their successful pressure switch.

1970s

SOR introduces a new line of temperature switch products.

1978

Static O Ring changes its name to SOR to reflect a growing product line that is not dependent on the static-o-ring technology.

1982

SOR introduces Nuclear Qualified Pressure Switches for the nuclear power generation industry.

1985

SOR Acquires Magnetic Sensing Waves (MSW) a mechanical-level manufacturing company.

1990

Introduces the 711 ULS Single Point Ultrasonic Level Switch for a wide array of uses in liquid-level applications.

1992

SOR achieves ISO 9000 certification making it one of the first manufacturers to receive this certification in Kansas.

1993

SOR introduces the 651 RF Admittance Single Point Level Switch to detect the level of liquids, slurries, granulars, and solids.

1996

SOR introduces the 701 ULS Single Point Ultrasonic Level Switch for a wide array of uses in liquid-level applications.

1997

SOR opens a regional sales office in Beijing, China.

2006

SOR was named one of the top machine shops in the United States.

2009

SOR introduces the 805PT Compact Pressure Transmitter.

2012

SOR receives Safety Integration Level (SIL) certification for mechanical pressure and level products.

2013

SOR acquires Smart Sensors (SSi), a manufacturer of temperature sensors in Houston, Texas.

2013

SOR introduces the 805QS Compact Pressure Switch-Transmitter.

2013

SOR introduces the 815PT Smart Compact Pressure Switch-Transmitter.

2014

SOR acquires SETEX Products, a manufacturer of thermowells in Beaumont, Texas as a vertical integration to complement the SSi temperature sensors.

2014

SOR opens a regional sales office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2014

SOR introduces the 815DT Smart Compact Differential Pressure Switch-Transmitter.

2015

SOR opens a regional sales office in Chenai, India.

2016

SOR establishes SENSOR Sampling Systems, a manufacturer of closed-loop grab sampling systems, based in Houston, TX.

2016

SOR Measurement & Control introduces the 1100 Series Magnetic Level Indicator with a patented 200 degree viewing angle (U.S. Pat. No. 14/638,990 vistaâ„¢).

2017

Following the acquisition of SSi and SETEX and the establishment of SENSOR Sampling Systems, SOR changes its name to SOR Measurement & Control and establishes SOR Controls Group as the parent company for these associated brands.

2017

SOR Measurement Control introduces the 1010 Flushing Rings.

2018

Further expansion of the 800 Series Pressure Transmitter line happens with the release of the 815LT Submersible Pressure Transmitter.

2018

SENSOR introduces RSS Sampling System and CONCENTRIC Needle system.

2019

SENSOR introduces the HPSS Heavy Product Sampling System for collecting samples of hot, heavy liquids.

2020

SOR introduces 1800 Series Conventional Pressure Transmitters.

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For decades, SOR Controls Group has provided unique solutions for a variety of industries. Use our Product Selector and explore how our high-quality products can solve even your most challenging applications.

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