Filtrex was acquired by North American Filtration in 2023 to expand its Aquatics Portfolio.
Regenerative Media Filtration, as most know of it today, is a Filtration method that has been fast growing in popularity over the last quarter century…but did you know that its history goes back as far as the 1920’s?
In 1923, a company called PER Corporation, based in New Jersey, led by its President, Russ Hobson, started the first Regenerative Media Filtration Company. He was a giant in liquid and solid separation at the time and developed the flex tube concept. The original applications were focused on the dry-cleaning industry (Filtering carbon tetrachloride and perchlorethylene). Following the success and wide acceptance of the regenerative concept, it was recognized that it could be extended into other applications and industries.
One of the potential applications in the aqueous filtration field was developing a small footprint, highly efficient filtration system. At the time, the predominant technology was slow sand filtration, which required large amounts of square footage per application rate.
Following the initial research and development efforts, the first listing was applied and approved under old NSF Standard Number 9 in 1964. The regenerative process was fully embraced in the current EC series (extended cycle). PER Corporation had a broad range of success in both the dry cleaning and aquatics markets. An industrial filtration line for commercial applications was subsequently introduced.
At this time, Vince Pisani was brought in from the Detrex Corporation in Oklahoma City, OK. He added structure, design engineering and marketing focus to PER Corporation’s efforts. In 1969, Russ Hobson lost his partner and chief financial officer. This proved too much of a burden for Russ Hobson to continue on with success wearing both hats. Russ ended up liquidating the company in 1970. The Aquatics Division, both commercial and residential segments, were sold to Hayward Corporation. Vince handled the transfer and took a position as General Manager of the Aquatics Division of Hayward. While there, he was instrumental in developing the very popular residential series of Perflex® Series EC filters. After several years, Hayward made the decision to spin off the commercial segment of the product line. The assets and design and copyrights were transferred to Vince Pisani and Filtrex Inc. was established in 1974.
Ken Bergstrom was brought on as Engineering Manager in 1987 and subsequently promoted to Vice President, Engineering. He continued in this position until 1997, when Vince Pisani passed away. The company was then purchased from the Pisani family by the Bergstrom Group consisting of Ken and several other employees.
Filtrex has continued (to this date) to improve the product, customer service, and designer/engineering support.
