In 1950, A.C. Jensen solved a problem that had plagued the petroleum industry for decades — and in doing so, created an entirely new product category. Over 70 years later, Jensen Mixers continues to build every unit in the United States, focusing exclusively on the product A.C. Jensen invented.
Before A.C. Jensen's invention, petroleum storage tanks were agitated using top-entry mixers — large, expensive units that required structural supports, regular lubrication, and tank shutdowns for maintenance. For refineries and pipeline terminals managing hundreds of tanks, the cost and complexity of top-entry agitation was a persistent operational burden.
A.C. Jensen's insight was straightforward: if a propeller could be mounted through the side of the tank — through a standard nozzle — the mixer could be supported entirely by the tank shell, installed without internal bracing, and serviced without entering or emptying the tank. The result was a simpler, lighter, and more maintainable design that could be installed on virtually any petroleum storage tank.
The first Jensen side-entry mixer was installed in 1950. The petroleum industry adopted it rapidly. Within a decade, side-entry mixers had become the standard approach for petroleum tank agitation — and Jensen had established itself as the originator and leading manufacturer of the product category it created.
A.C. Jensen, a mechanical engineer working in the petroleum industry, recognized a fundamental problem: conventional top-entry agitators were expensive, maintenance-intensive, and required tank shutdowns for service. He designed and patented the first practical side-entry propeller mixer — a unit that could be installed through a standard tank nozzle, required no internal supports, and could be serviced without entering or emptying the tank.
The side-entry mixer concept proved immediately practical for petroleum storage and blending. Refineries, pipeline terminals, and bulk liquid storage operators adopted Jensen mixers for crude oil blending, product homogenization, and sediment control. The simplicity of the design — supported entirely by the tank nozzle with no tie rods or external bracing — made installation fast and maintenance straightforward.
Northeast Controls Inc., founded in 1937 and headquartered in New Jersey, became the exclusive representative for Jensen Mixers in the northeastern United States. The partnership brought Jensen's proven mixer technology to refineries, terminals, and petrochemical facilities throughout the region. Northeast Controls has represented Jensen continuously since 1973 — over 50 years of partnership.
Jensen engineers continued refining the product line through the 1980s and 1990s. The Series 400, 500, 600, and eventually 800/900 product families were developed to address a wider range of horsepower requirements, fluid types, and application demands. The Vari-Angle design was introduced to allow operators to direct propeller flow anywhere in the tank — critical for sediment removal and tank cleaning applications.
After 15 years of research, computational fluid dynamics modeling, and consultation with propulsion designers who advise the U.S. military, Jensen introduced the Phoenix Propeller. Investment cast and dynamically balanced to ISO 1940-G6.3, the Phoenix Propeller delivers maximum thrust efficiency with reduced energy consumption. It became standard equipment on all Jensen mixer series.
Jensen introduced two safety innovations that became standard on the 800/900 Series: the Petro-Block safety handle — a single-pull device that stops product loss in the event of a seal failure — and the Sentry Notification System, an externally-mounted gravity-lubricated lube pod that detects mechanical seal breaches before leaks reach the environment. Both innovations reflect Jensen's commitment to field safety and operational continuity.
Jensen Mixers International continues to manufacture every mixer in the United States. The company focuses exclusively on side-entry mixers — giving them unmatched depth of expertise in this specific product category. Every part is manufactured in-house and never discontinued, ensuring that a Jensen mixer purchased decades ago can still be fully serviced and supported today.
Northeast Controls Inc. was founded in 1937 and has served industrial customers throughout the northeastern United States for nearly 90 years. The company represents a carefully selected portfolio of industrial equipment manufacturers — chosen for product quality, engineering depth, and long-term support capability.
Northeast Controls began representing Jensen Mixers in 1973. Over more than 50 years of partnership, the company has specified, sold, and supported Jensen mixers at refineries, pipeline terminals, petrochemical facilities, and bulk liquid storage operations across the region.
The Northeast Controls team provides application engineering support, spare parts availability, and on-site service assistance for Jensen mixer installations throughout the territory. Customers benefit from both Jensen's manufacturing expertise and Northeast Controls' deep knowledge of regional facility requirements and operating conditions.
A.C. Jensen created the side-entry mixer category in 1950. Jensen has focused exclusively on this product for over 70 years — no other manufacturer matches that depth of experience.
Every Jensen mixer is engineered and manufactured in the United States. Jensen Mixers International is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jensen manufactures every part in-house. Parts are never discontinued — a mixer purchased 30 years ago can be fully serviced and supported today.
Jensen mixers are designed to be serviced with basic mechanic tools. No specialized gauges, no proprietary equipment — just standard tools any field technician carries.
Petro-Block, Sentry Notification System, Phoenix Propeller, and Draw-Lock are Jensen-exclusive innovations — not available on any other side-entry mixer.
Jensen's cartridge-style mechanical seal design enables the fastest seal replacement in the petrochemical industry. "It takes longer to read our brochure than it does to change our seals."
From engineering to manufacturing, Jensen Mixers are created in America to guarantee quality products with impeccable craftsmanship and service. Jensen Mixers International is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jensen Mixers International · P.O. Box 470386 · Tulsa, OK 74147-0368
Jensen and Northeast Controls offer on-site assistance and training for installation, maintenance, and seal replacement.
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