Knox Western Continues Global Expansion

Knox Western continues its streak of inking deals to strengthen its capabilities. The latest one is with BGR Group in India, which will serve as the packager for the gas compressors the company offers. BGR will deliver API 618 compressor packages to serve oil and gas, hydrogen, and oxygen applications.

Previously, Knox Western relied on ICL to package compressors primarily aimed at the compressed natural gas (CNG) and biogas markets. ICL acted as a packager primarily for the Indian market (Knox Western has a worldwide network of packaging partners).

Why the switch? According to Patrick Sechrist, president of Knox Western, BGR offered expertise in other markets in alignment with the company’s strategy.

“We partnered with BGR Group due to their strong background and expertise in areas and markets where ICL did not traditionally package compressors,” said Sechrist.

Knox Western History

Knox Western is a US-based engineering company specializing in the design and manufacture of lubricated and non-lubricated reciprocating gas compressors for a range of applications, primarily across the energy and mobility industries. Founded in the early 1930s, it began its journey in compressor repair and modernization. Over the decades, it evolved into a distributor for global manufacturers. Its product line stretches from 20 to 1800 hp (15 to 1342 kW)

In 1973, it became an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with the development of its TP Series compressors. Building on decades of hands-on engineering expertise, Knox Western further expanded its capabilities in 2000 by designing and constructing its first compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station.

In 2024, the company was acquired by Didwania Group, a privately held multinational headquartered in Mumbai, India, with additional operations in Europe, China, and the United States. Sechrist explained that Didwania Group is led by a third-generation family of industrial entrepreneurs. It owns and operates several companies across the energy infrastructure and rotating equipment sectors. The group’s portfolio includes manufacturers of reciprocating, diaphragm, and cryogenic compressors as well as CNG and hydrogen fueling systems. It has made a series of strategic acquisitions in the last five years.

“Knox Western was a natural fit to the group’s portfolio,” said Sechrist. “Didwania Group recognized the massive potential to return Knox Western to the forefront of the compressor industry. There are a limited number of companies in the world that produce the type of compressor technology Knox Western has been making for decades.”

Under the Didwania Group umbrella, Knox Western raises the company’s brand recognition and opens new horizons. With the backing of its new owners, it has expanded globally while broadening its customer base at home. New leadership revamped its operations and management systems. But the corporate parent understands the importance of keeping Knox Western headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania, where it will remain for the long haul.

Sechrist added that Didwania Group is committed to growing the company’s manufacturing presence in Erie but has introduced a few changes, such as machining. In the past, it was done in-house. Today, Knox Western works with machine shops across the country and outsources the entire function.

“We worked extensively to identify companies to partner with, along with existing suppliers, to see how we could expand with them,” said Sechrist. “All assembly work is done at our own facility by our assembly team, along with inspection of all parts once we receive them. Our suppliers have been instrumental in our growth over the last two and a half years.”

This shift in focus enabled a complete revamp of the manufacturing floor, the addition of an inventory control area, and the remodeling of offices.

Domestic Recovery

Surprisingly, the Knox Western name had become better known internationally than domestically. Despite its American headquarters and homegrown manufacturing history, its market visibility in North America has suffered in recent years.

“Over the last twenty years, we have supplied the majority of our produced units to the international market,” said Sechrist. “We weren’t at the numbers you’d expect from a US-based OEM.”

The strategy of the new ownership is to grow both domestic and worldwide business in parallel. They view North America as the strongest market for potential growth. Domestic sales have picked up thanks to a product line that now encompasses CNG, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen, refinery work, and more. Further, more companies are now partnering with Knox Western to take advantage of its reciprocating compressor offerings.

In 2025, the company entered into a partnership with KB Delta, designating it as the exclusive manufacturer of valves and internals for all Knox Western compressors. Based in Southern California, KB Delta took over the manufacturing of Knox Western’s proprietary valve designs.

“KB Delta has been an instrumental partner in revitalizing Knox Western both in manufacturing valves based on our designs and in helping to tell our story to a broader audience,” said Sechrist. “KB Delta offers speed and reliability, has helped us to improve our products, and has set our standards even higher.”

Knox Western stocks KB Delta valve components at its Erie facility to reduce lead times for OEM and aftermarket customers. This partnership occasioned a leap in responsiveness and inventory availability, and the lowering of lead times, a critical element in the natural gas midstream sector, added Sechrist.

Product Lineup

Knox Western’s compressors are designed to meet the API 618 standard and can be lubricated or oil-free.

“We customize our machines to specific applications to give our customers the exact compressor they need,” said Sechrist. “We offer a wide range of cylinder selections and materials for different gases, which makes us capable of tackling a variety of applications.”

Knox Western TP60, 75, 90, and 100 units are single throw. They are used in applications ranging from vapor recovery to hydrogen. Its TP120 and 145 units, on the other hand, are popular with hydrogen filling stations. And its TP200 series and 400s are often used in the CNG to petrochemical markets.

The company also offers the Eagle 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 series. These machines are deployed in CNG, mother stations, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, refinery, and field gas compression.

“We can engineer the smallest to the highest horsepower frames,” said Sechrist.

Over time, Knox Western has incorporated advancements in the materials used to improve performance and reduce maintenance. New monitoring options, including artificial intelligence capabilities, are also being incorporated into designs.

“We are in a growth phase, aiming to revitalize the Knox Western name,” said Sechrist. “We aim to continuously improve our compressors with new designs and competitive lead times, while making a strong effort to sell more of our products at home. Speedy delivery on spares is crucial in this industry, so we have formed partnerships across the globe to keep our machines up and running.”