Crown Iron Works
Crown Iron Works, a brand under CPM Holdings, is the self-described global leader in oilseed extraction and processing technology, supplying custom-engineered equipment, integrated process systems, and aftermarket services to industrial processors in oilseeds, renewable fuels, plant-based proteins, and specialty extraction across 40+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1885
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Crown Iron Works does
Crown Iron Works (Crown), operating as a brand under CPM Holdings Inc., is a global industrial equipment and process-engineering company specializing in oilseed extraction and processing technology. Headquartered in Minneapolis with regional headquarters in Shanghai (APAC), São Paulo (South America), and Vilvoorde (Europe), Crown serves industrial customers in oilseed processing, renewable fuels (including renewable diesel/HVO, SAF, and biodiesel), plant-based proteins, specialty extraction (hemp/CBD, nutraceuticals), animal feed, and oleochemicals. Its product portfolio spans core capital equipment — the Model III Extractor, Desolventizer-Toaster, and Zero Effluent Discharge System — together with a broad equipment catalog (pellet mills, hammermills, roller mills, flaking mills, extruders, dryers, roasters, conveyors) and integrated process systems covering oilseed preparation, extraction, refining, and pretreatment. The latest product, Monarc Clean Oilseed Processing, extends the portfolio with hexane-free processing.
Crown generates revenue through quote-based sale of custom process equipment and integrated systems to industrial customers under multi-year contracts, supplemented by recurring aftermarket monetization. The aftermarket stack comprises Crown Lifecycle 360 services (support, upgrades, remanufacturing), a digital service platform (myCPM), parts and supplies, field services, and pilot/testing/training delivered through a 15,000 sq ft Global Innovation Center containing a full-scale continuous process Liquids Pilot Plant and analytical lab. The company reports 200+ active plants across 40+ countries and over 60,000 hours of annual problem-solving support.
The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with solutions selling: engineers and process consultants engage customers on specification, capacity, and scope, leveraging a content-heavy marketing program (technical resource library, webinars, industry events, multilingual regional sites) to support long-cycle capital purchases. No public pricing is disclosed. With 140+ years of operating history and self-described global-leader status in oilseed extraction, Crown's competitive position rests on proprietary process technology, the embedded installed base, and the aftermarket ecosystem that recurs across each plant.
Crown Iron Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Crown Iron Works
- Legal name
- Crown
- Website
- https://crowniron.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1885
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Crown Iron Works, a brand under CPM Holdings, is the self-described global leader in oilseed extraction and processing technology, supplying custom-engineered equipment, integrated process systems, and aftermarket services to industrial processors in oilseeds, renewable fuels, plant-based proteins, and specialty extraction across 40+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Crown Iron Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Oilseed Processing Equipment
- NAICS
- Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122), Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing (311224)
- SIC
- Fats & Oils (2070)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vegetable Oil Crushing & Refining (Soy, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Corn, Cottonseed) (AFAKAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty & Tropical Oils Processing (Avocado, Sesame, Peanut, Rice Bran, Grapeseed) (AFAKAEAE)
Keywords
Where Crown Iron Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Crown Iron Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Process Engineering and Equipment Sales: Crown generates revenue through custom process engineering, sale of proprietary equipment (extractors, desolventizers, dryers, coolers), and complete process systems for oilseed extraction, refining, biofuels, renewable diesel, and specialty extraction applications. Equipment sales are typically capital investments with long sales cycles targeting industrial facilities.
- Aftermarket Services and Parts: Comprehensive aftermarket support including field services, process optimization, parts and supplies, training, and lifecycle 360 services. Services are delivered globally with over 60,000 hours of problem-solving annually across 200+ plants.
- Pilot Plant and Testing Services: Revenue from process piloting, feasibility testing, and training services at the Global Innovation Center facilities
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom equipment and systems - Quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Crown Iron Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Crown designs, engineers, and manufactures custom oilseed extraction and processing equipment and complete process systems (oilseed preparation, extraction, desolventization, drying/cooling, distillation, degumming, refining, biodiesel, renewable diesel pretreatment, plant-based proteins, and specialty extraction). Revenue is generated through capital-equipment sales plus aftermarket service, parts, training, and pilot-plant testing through the Global Innovation Center.
Product overview
Crown Iron Works (Crown), a brand under CPM Holdings, operates as a platform of industrial oilseed processing equipment, systems, and services. The offering consists of core extraction and processing equipment (Model III Extractor, Desolventizer-Toaster, Zero Effluent Discharge System), comprehensive process systems (oilseed preparation, extraction, refining, biodiesel, renewable diesel pretreatment, plant-based proteins), and digital/aftermarket services (myCPM, Crown Lifecycle 360). The portfolio spans particle size reduction (hammermills, roller mills), thermal processing (dryers, roasters, ovens), material handling (conveyor systems), and specialty extraction (hemp/CBD, nutraceuticals). Crown also operates a 15,000 sq-ft Global Innovation Center for piloting and testing. The company's latest innovation is Monarc Clean Oilseed Processing™, a hexane-free oilseed processing technology positioned as safe, scalable, and sustainable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Crown Lifecycle 360™: Aftermarket services and lifecycle support for Crown equipment
Products and services
- Model III Extractor Large-scale industrial extractor engineered for high-volume oilseed extraction operations, offering proven efficiency and reliability for vegetable oil and meal producers.
- Desolventizer-Toaster (DT) Cost-effective desolventization equipment that uses direct and indirect heat transfer to remove solvent from extracted meal in industrial oilseed processing.
- Zero Effluent Discharge System Cost-effective water treatment system that removes waste from process water in oilseed processing operations to support environmental compliance and reduce effluent discharge.
- Monarc Clean Oilseed Processing™ Hexane-free, scalable, and sustainable oilseed processing technology that delivers clean extraction without the use of hexane, marketed as safe and commercially viable.
- Oilseed Preparation Process Systems Complete preparation process systems for soybean, canola/rapeseed, sunflower, and other oilseed varieties, sold as engineered process solutions to industrial processors.
- Oilseed Extraction Process Systems Integrated extraction process solutions covering extraction, desolventization, drying and cooling, distillation, and degumming for high-quality vegetable oil and meal production.
- Biodiesel Process Systems Biodiesel production and pretreatment process systems marketed to renewable fuel manufacturers.
- Edible Oil Refining Process Systems Comprehensive edible oil refining process solutions for producing high-quality vegetable oils for food and feed end markets.
- Renewable Diesel Pretreatment Systems Pretreatment process systems designed for renewable diesel (HVO) production, marketed to renewable fuel processors.
- Plant-Based Proteins Process Systems Process solutions for plant-based protein extraction and processing, including protein concentrate and white flakes production via hydrous ethanol extraction for food and feed ingredients.
- Hemp/CBD Extraction Process Systems Specialty extraction process solutions engineered for hemp and CBD production, leveraging Crown's applied extraction expertise.
- Specialty Chemicals Process Systems Process solutions for specialty chemical extraction and processing, including polymers, waxes, fibers, and related chemistries.
- myCPM Digital Service Platform Digital platform that supports aftermarket service management for Crown's installed equipment base.
- Crown Lifecycle 360™ Service Program Comprehensive lifecycle services for Crown equipment including field support, upgrades, and remanufacturing to extend equipment life and protect uptime.
- Global Innovation Center Pilot-Plant Services Pilot-plant and feasibility-testing services at Crown's 15,000 sq-ft Global Innovation Center, including analytical lab support and training for benchtop to commercial-scale testing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60,000 hours of problem-solving support delivered annually at over 200 plants in 40 countries
Companies that use Crown Iron Works
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Crown Iron Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Crown Iron Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Crown Iron Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bühler Group: Swiss global leader in food and feed processing equipment, including oilseed preparation, extraction, and refining systems. Directly comparable to Crown across the oilseed processing value chain, with overlapping customers and similar enterprise field-sales model.
- Desmet Ballestra: Provides engineered process plants and equipment for oils, fats, biodiesel, and oleochemicals — a direct competitor to Crown in vegetable oil processing, renewable fuels pretreatment, and refining technology.
- Anderson International: US-based manufacturer of oilseed processing equipment, particularly mechanical pressing, expelling, and solvent extraction systems. A direct niche competitor to Crown in oilseed preparation and extraction.
- French Oil Mill Machinery Company: Long-established US manufacturer of oilseed processing equipment including mechanical presses and solvent extraction systems. Comparable to Crown as a similarly heritage-rich oilseed equipment specialist serving industrial processors.
- Harburg-Freudenberger: German-based specialist in oilseed processing, screw pressing, and rubber/tire processing machinery. Directly comparable to Crown in oilseed preparation and extraction technology serving industrial processors globally.
Broad incumbents
- Alfa Laval: Global industrial equipment manufacturer with separation, heat transfer, and fluid handling technologies used in vegetable oil refining and biodiesel production. Overlaps with Crown in the refining and pretreatment segments of oilseed processing.
- GEA Group: Large diversified food processing and separation technology company serving vegetable oil, plant protein, and dairy markets. Competes with Crown across oilseed processing and adjacent food/feed verticals, though GEA's portfolio is broader and less oilseed-focused.
Emerging players
- Myande Group: Chinese engineering and equipment supplier offering complete oilseed processing, edible oil refining, biodiesel, and specialty chemical plants. Competes with Crown in cost-sensitive markets and emerging geographies.
- VetterTec: European engineering firm specializing in drying, cooling, and thermal processing for oilseeds and feed. Adjacent competitor to Crown's dryer/desolventizer product lines serving similar industrial processing customers.
Others
- CPM Holdings Inc. Crown's parent holding company operating multiple process equipment brands (pelleting, particle size reduction, oilseed processing, can handling). Comparable as the broader group entity under which Crown operates, providing context for shared infrastructure and strategy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Crown Iron Works social profiles
Digital presenceCrown Iron Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Crown Iron Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Crown Iron Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Crown Iron Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Crown Iron Works
What does Crown Iron Works do?
Crown designs, engineers, and manufactures custom oilseed extraction and processing equipment and complete process systems (oilseed preparation, extraction, desolventization, drying/cooling, distillation, degumming, refining, biodiesel, renewable diesel pretreatment, plant-based proteins, and specialty extraction). Revenue is generated through capital-equipment sales plus aftermarket service, parts, training, and pilot-plant testing through the Global Innovation Center.
Is Crown Iron Works a public or private company?
Crown Iron Works is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Crown Iron Works founded?
Crown Iron Works was founded in 1885. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Crown Iron Works based?
Crown Iron Works is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Crown Iron Works make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Process Engineering and Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are aftermarket Services and Parts and pilot Plant and Testing Services.
Who are Crown Iron Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bühler Group, Desmet Ballestra, Anderson International, French Oil Mill Machinery Company and Harburg-Freudenberger. Broad incumbents are Alfa Laval and GEA Group. Emerging players are Myande Group and VetterTec. CPM Holdings Inc. is listed as an others.
Does Crown Iron Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Crown Iron Works.
What industry is Crown Iron Works in?
Crown Iron Works's product category is Industrial Oilseed Processing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAEAA, Vegetable Oil Crushing & Refining (Soy, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Corn, Cottonseed), with a secondary code of AFAKAEAE, Specialty & Tropical Oils Processing (Avocado, Sesame, Peanut, Rice Bran, Grapeseed). Its NAICS code is 31122 and its SIC code is 2070.