Company

Our History

Pure Water Has Run Through Our System for Nearly A Century

In 1928 MECO was founded. In 1939, MECO patented the world’s most efficient method for desalination of seawater, vapor compression. Now, nearly 100 years later, MECO is a world leader in the engineering and manufacturing of water purification solutions for a variety of industries, using a broad array of technologies.

The legacy of leadership is the result of our commitment to the highest quality of products and services in everything we do. In fact, on average, 75 percent of MECO customers are repeat customers. Most of those have been with us for five or more years, and many in excess of twenty. We believe this is a testament to our ability to find effective solutions to our customers’ freshwater needs and deliver them in an excellent fashion.

  • 1928
  • 1939
  • 1941
  • 1955
  • 1960
  • 1975
  • 1984
  • 2005
  • 2009
  • 2011
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2018

1928

Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc. (MECO) was founded as a distributor of pumps and engines in New Orleans, LA.

1939

Patented the world's most efficient method for desalinating seawater.

1941

First of hundreds of machines delivered to the War Department.

1955

Opened new manufacturing facility on the Industrial Canal in eastern New Orleans.

1960

Prolific use of MECO plants seen throughout industry.

1975

Began production of machines using new membrane-driven process (reverse osmosis) for seawater desalination.

1984

Large land-based projects using thermal and membrane technologies were installed across the globe.

2005

Hurricane Katrina destroyed production facility; operation began from two new facilities in Houston, TX, and Covington, LA.

2009

MECO opened an office in Singapore, expanding to Asia Pacific region for the first time.

2011

Celebrated issuance of 25th patent in the field of water purification.

2014

Opened new state-of-the-art facility in Mandeville, LA. The 80,000-square-foot building combines the most advanced technology with environmentally friendly practices – the ultimate expression of the MECO commitment to our customers, employees and environment.

2015

MECO opened full service office in Limerick, Ireland, expanding MECO's reach to customers throughout Western Europe.

2016

MECO enhances GII Centurbo™ Compressor technology to reach higher capacities for industry needs by introducing the GII-E.

2018

MECO celebrates its 90 year history of innovation and expertise!