N.R. Murphy Limited has passed the torch to new owners

After 75 years in business, Norman R. Murphy (right) couldn’t be happier to “pass the torch” along to his son-in-law (pictured on left), Helder Armas.

N.R. Murphy Limited is celebrating its 75th anniversary, observing three-quarters of a century of manufacturing the best industrial air quality solutions in Canada. As the family-owned company hits this major milestone, it is also planning for the future. Its namesake, Norman R. Murphy, has recently stepped down as owner and passed the torch to his daughter and son-in-law.

Helder Armas, formerly the company’s sales and marketing manager, has taken over as N.R. Murphy’s new president, while his wife, Lori Armas, is now co-owner with him.

Carrying on the legacy

Helder and Lori Armas will carry on the company’s legacy of unmatched air quality solutions and dedicated customer service. These have been N.R. Murphy’s top priorities ever since it was founded in 1943. Since then, the company has installed more than 14,000 dust-collection systems for companies across Canada.

Founder William Murphy was the company’s first owner, when it was called Price Air Conditioning. In 1948, he changed the company’s focus to the supply and installation of dust collectors and renamed it Murphy Sheet Metal. The company continued to grow and to expand its customer base over the next eight years. In 1956, Robert Murphy took it over, and in 1962, he made Norm Murphy, his son, the vice president. That was the same year that the company moved to 430 Franklin Boulevard in Cambridge, Ont., where it remains today.

In 1966, Norm Murphy bought the company from his father, and it became N.R. Murphy Limited. This transition began a successful 52-year era during which the company focused primarily on producing dust collectors.

In 1972, N. R. Murphy Limited partnered with Rodgers Machinery, an American company, and formed Murphy-Rodgers Inc. in Los Angeles, CA. Murphy-Rodgers Inc. manufactured products based on N.R. Murphy’s designs and concepts for the U.S. Market, and N.R. Murphy Ltd. manufactured dust-collection products for the Canadian and export markets. The partnership lasted until the closure of Murphy-Rodgers Inc. in 2010, yet N.R. Murphy has kept its American customer base.

Now, the company has entered a new phase of its lengthy history. As Helder and Lori Armas take the reins and enable a smooth transition – with the same management team and facility – N.R. Murphy expects to continue its long-term success with the best industrial air quality solutions on the market.

For more information, contact N.R. Murphy.

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