About Houston
Pump & Gear

1940's - THE FOUNDATION

Our story begins during World War II.

Like many young men of his generation, Joe Frank stepped into wartime manufacturing and machinery repair during World War II. Joe Frank was assigned to support wartime manufacturing and machinery repair, work that demanded precision and discipline and responsibility. When the war ended, he carried those skills home with him. He saw it as a valuable trade and was determined to pass that knowledge on to his son, Jim.

Jim took to the work naturally. Before long, Jim, fondly known as "Big Jim" to his family and customers, began building his own path. Armed with the skills he learned from his father and a strong work ethic, he started his career as a coppersmith, repairing kitchen equipment for local restaurants and commercial kitchens. His work included re-riveting pans, restoring mixing bowls, and keeping kitchens running through hands-on craftsmanship and reliability.

1960's - THE TURNING POINT

The repair that changed everything.

One day, a frustrated bakery owner asked Big Jim to take a look at a Hobart mixer that no one had been able to fix. While it wasn't his area of expertise, Jim valued the relationship and wanted to help.

What he discovered was that the issue wasn't surface-level, the gearbox that powered the mixer was failing. There was just one problem: Big Jim had never opened a gearbox, let alone repaired one.

Still, he didn't walk away.

Determined to solve the problem for his customer, Big Jim taught himself how the system worked. Through study, persistence, and trial, he successfully repaired the gearbox and got the bakery back up and running.

He became deeply committed to solving complex mechanical problems and began refining the craft of gearbox repair.

1970's - GOING INDEPENDENT

FROM KITCHENS TO INDUSTRY.

He later passed that knowledge on to his son Nick, who recognized that the same types of gear systems used in commercial kitchens were also critical across industrial applications, including paper mills and manufacturing facilities.

With that insight, the foundation was set to expand beyond small equipment into the broader world of industrial repair. Jim founded an industrial gearbox repair company in Los Angeles, CA, building on a reputation earned one repair at a time.

1980's - COMING TO TEXAS

HOUSTON: THE INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL OF THE U.S.

In 1973, the third generation was born. Vincent grew up around the trade, learning firsthand what it meant to solve problems, serve customers, and take pride in the work. Over time, he saw an opportunity to bring these capabilities to a larger stage.

That vision led the business to Houston, Texas, the industrial capital of the United States, where it operates today as Houston Pump & Gear. The company passed from founder Jim to his son Nick, who relocated from LA and planted roots that would grow into something larger.

TODAY - 3RD GENERATION

OWNED & OPERATED BY VINCENT MICHAELS

What started as one man refusing to walk away from a problem has grown into a company built on responsibility, craftsmanship, and service to others. Across generations, one thing has remained constant, the belief that our work matters because people are counting on it.