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Extending Equipment Life Since 1983

Des-Case serves its customers with leading, innovative products and services that enhance equipment reliability and increase profitability.

 

Des-Case products extend the life of industrial lubricants by preventing contamination with desiccant breathers, removing contaminants with filtration systems, and detecting lubricant problems with condition monitoring and visual oil analysis to keep lubricants healthy and clean for maximum performance. For more than 30 years, Des-Case has enjoyed an excellent reputation for its products and service quality, dependability, and business integrity.

Our Story

Des-Case Corporation was founded in 1983 to provide the lubricant industry with innovative solutions to extend oil and equipment life. The original breather was the brainchild of the Company founder, Jim Waller, who responded to the request of an engineer at a major oil company looking for a way to enhance the performance and longevity of his products. As a filtration engineer by trade, Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit took hold with this opportunity and the breather was created and put into production.

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In 1996, further expansion was necessary and Des-Case moved into a manufacturing and distribution center in White House, Tennessee. Sales growth warranted a second expansion in 1997 and the Company doubled its capacity. One year later, Des-Case Europe was founded in 1998 to manage growing distribution partners in the EU. With both a growing international presence as well as the addition of subsequent product lines, the business continued to flourish, eventually warranting another move in 2007 to a larger facility in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The Company’s initial product offerings have been steadily enhanced throughout the years, as well as expanded upon by complementary product and service offerings.

In late 2013, Pfingsten Partners, a private equity firm, invested in Des-Case Corporation. A highly successful partnership ensued between both entities for almost three years. Mid-year 2016, Industrial Growth Partners (IGP), also a private equity firm, invested in Des-Case, bringing the organization into its portfolio of companies operating in the middle market manufacturing sector.

For more than 30 years, the Company has enjoyed an excellent reputation for its products and service quality, dependability, and business integrity. Des-Case holds patents in the airflow design of breathers with technology that has yet to be surpassed in the marketplace.

Leadership

Marcus Pillion
Marcus Pillion

CEO

Marcus is an accomplished executive with a consistent history of leadership, driving sales and successful operational management in complex global markets. He has over 25 years of industrial market experience─ specifically focused in industrial equipment, reliability products and systems, in-plant services, and a variety of mission-critical component businesses. He has led all facets of businesses from CEO to sales, marketing, engineering, supply chain, installation and service for companies such as Netzsch, ITT, ABS Pumps (now Sulzer), John Crane, SKF, EagleBurgmann (part of Freudenberg), and Colfax Fluid Handling Reliability Services (now Reladyne).

Prior to joining Des-Case, Marcus served as an Operating Partner for the Engineered Components and Systems Practice at Edgewater Capital Partners and as Chief Executive Officer for TRITEC Performance Solutions─ a global manufacturer of engineered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sealing solutions and assemblies for a large number of applications. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and archeology from the College of Wooster.

Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier

Chief Financial Officer

Jacques Cartier leads all aspects of both the accounting and finance function at Des Case Corporation. Before joining Des-Case, Jacques has over 20 years’ experience; leading the finance and accounting function and leading organizations on senior management teams.

More recently, he was CFO of a fast-growing privately held engineering, procure and construction firm in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to that he spent 17 years at the Mars company holding various divisional CFO roles, specifically Wrigley Spain, Wrigley US, and Mars Petcare Private Label Division. Jacques holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University, earned an MBA with a concentration in international business and IT from DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Management, and a CPA (inactive).

He enjoys the outdoors; an accomplished competitive cyclist and the 2016 40-44 age group Nashville’s Rock n Roll half marathon winner.

Jason Bendon
Jason Bendon

Chief Commercial Officer

As Chief Commercial Officer, Jason is responsible for developing and leading the global strategic vision for Des-Case sales and marketing.

Jason comes to Des-Case with 25+ years of experience in global sales and management in bearings, lubrication systems, and mechanical seals with previous leadership roles at EagleBurgmann, NSK, SKF and most recently serving as President and CEO of Aetna Bearing Company.

Jason holds a BBA and MBA and resides in Plymouth, Michigan with his wife and two boys.

Menno Krom
Menno Krom

Managing Director, RMF Systems

Menno Krom, Managing Director – RMF Systems, a subsidiary of Des-Case, is a sales management professional with more than 15 years of driving sales in the hydraulic, filtration and lubrication business. Menno started his career at RMF Systems BV in 2006 as Sales Manager Export, then in 2012, began leading the sales activities of RMF Systems. In 2020, he became Managing Director. Prior to joining RMF Systems, Menno held various sales management positions at Numatics, CMF Special Welding and Doedijns Hydraulics.

Menno holds an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Fontys University of Applied Sciences, an Associate Master in Sales Management, Associate Master in Strategic Sales Management and Associate Master in Business Development from NCIO Business School.

Jeff Jin
Jeff Jin

General Manager, China

Rabish Jha
Rabish Jha

General Manager, India

Jon Haworth
Jon Haworth

VP of Products

Jon Haworth leads Des-Case’s research and development group.  His team is responsible for the organization’s global product strategy and new product development process.

He joined Des-Case as a Product Development Engineer in 2002 and has designed many of the company’s product lines. Prior to Des-Case, Jon worked with the propulsion wind tunnel group at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, Tenn., the largest ground aerospace testing facility in the world. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and earned an MBA with a focus on international studies from the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management. Jon is fluent in both English and Portuguese.

Mark Barnes, CMRP
Mark Barnes, CMRP

VP Business Development

Mark Barnes leads the company’s reliability services team, helping customers identify opportunities for improvements to their industrial lubrication programs through training, consulting and product solutions. Mark has 25 years of experience in the fields of lubrication management, oil analysis, and contamination control, and has published more than 175 technical articles and whitepapers. Mark is frequently invited to share his subject matter expertise at conferences around the globe and has worked with a number of blue chip companies, including Chevron, DuPont, Alcoa, ExxonMobil, Goodyear, Cargill, International Paper, General Mills and the U.S. Army to extend asset life through precision lubrication.

Prior to joining Des-Case, Mark was Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Services for Noria Corporation, a global leader in lubrication and oil analysis training and consulting. Mark holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom and is a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP).

Gavin Blyth
Gavin Blyth

VP Sales, APAC

Beth Onderdonk
Beth Onderdonk

Director of Americas Business Development

Audrey Klemz
Audrey Klemz

Director of Supply Chain

Jay Cooper
Jay Cooper

Director of Product Management

Jay Cooper works with the company’s leadership team in managing & executing the global product strategy and product development pipeline.

He joined Des-Case as a Supply Chain Specialist in 2011 and was promoted to Sourcing Specialist in 2015, Technical Product Manager in 2017 and Director of Product Management in 2020. In his tenure with Des-Case, he has helped lead many of the product launches and product development projects. Jay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management & Economics, with a minor in Accounting from Muskingum University.

Ivan Sheffield
Ivan Sheffield

Director of Filtration Business Development

Amanda Sutton
Amanda Sutton

Human Resources Manager

2022
New High-Capacity Breather
Des-Case's new High-Capacity Breather made possible by COLORASSIST™ Technology is launched, offering 30% more service life.
2020
Launched Remote Diagnostic Monitoring Solution
The new remote diagnostic monitoring subscription plan for industrial lubricated assets allows customers to have peace of mind knowing the lubricant health, cleanliness and humidity inside their critical assets have real-time monitoring by a team of experts.
2019
New & Improved Breather Models
The new breather bodies allow for more desiccant and increased airflow without increasing the external dimensions of the breather. Same Breather. Longer Life
2018
Des-Case Acquires RMF Systems
Des-Case expands and strengthens global presence and product solutions with RMF Systems add-on acquisition
2017
Des-Case Acquires Des-Case Europe
Des-Case purchased its 25-year partner Des-Case Europe (DCE) and its French subsidiary (JCB Conseils) and its Spanish subsidiary (JCB Management) to strengthen support of our European customers.
2016
The Mobile Reliability Experience
Des-Case introduces a live, hands-on precision lubrication demonstration brought to the customer's site.
2016
The New, Reimagined Oil Sight Glass
Des-Case introduces an innovative redesign of the oil sight glass, featuring sediment magnification, dual-mount versatility, increased durability and oil visibility, and water accumulation tracking.
2016
Industrial Growth Partners
IGP, a San Francisco-based specialist private investment partnership, invests in Des-Case Corporation.
2015
Des-Case Acquires JLM Systems Limited
JLM Systems Limited, most popularly known in the industry for their OilMiser product line, includes oil mist adapters, oil sampling products, reservoir aspirators, equipment adapters, and more that protect gearboxes and hydraulic reservoirs from harmful contamination.
2015
IsoLink™ Oil Transfer Containers
Des-Case launches IsoLink™ Oil Transfer Containers and accessories, the first of its kind to offer a complete best practices solution for contamination control when transporting oil from storage to equipment.
2015
The 3-D BullsEye Is Redesigned
Des-Case introduces a material upgrade for the 3-D BullsEye. Made of a polyamide material, the 3-D BullsEye is now harder, stronger, and tougher.
2014
Des-Case acquires ESCO’s visual oil analysis product line
Des-Case acquired ESCO’s popular 3-D BullsEye™ viewport, oil sight glasses, indicators, and oil level monitors offering a simple and effective way to visually monitor what’s happening inside equipment and detect contamination issues.
2014
EX Series Breathers & Visual Oil Analysis
Des-Case launches the Extended Series breathers, combining the high air flow of the standard breathers with the check-valves of the hybrid breathers, plus a new oil mist reducing feature and more than double the desiccant. Shortly after, Des-Case acquires ESCO’s popular 3-D BullsEye™ Viewport, oil sight glasses, indicators, and oil level monitors.
2013
Pfingsten Partners
Pfingsten Partners, an operationally-driven, private equity firm, invests in Des-Case Corporation.
2012
Drain Port Adapter Kit
Complementing the four fill port adapter kits in this product category, the Drain Port Adapter Kit is developed to provide multiple useful components such as level indicators, sample ports and a free water sight glass when port locations are limited.
2011
Larger Filtration Systems & Depth Filters
Des-Case doubles its fluid handling line with the acquisition of AMS Filtration, expanding into high-flow and high-capacity filtration systems, vacuum dehydration, drop-in filters and depth filters.
2010
Lubricant Storage & Filtration Expands
To keep up with increasing demands, Des-Case designs the LT-Series LMS with both steel and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) stackable tanks. Des-Case also launches the Drum Filter Cart that filters and transfers oil from a conveniently attachable, secured drum.
2009
More Product Launches & the Addition of Services Offering
Des-Case brings more innovation to its fluid handling line with Lubricant Management Systems (LMS) ― the first of its kind in the marketplace to combine filtration, storage and breather technologies to keep lubricants clean and dry before they enter equipment. Des-Case also begins to offer Lubrication Training & Consulting services, providing practical advice and tools to companies trying to achieve lubrication best practices. The DS Breathers are redesigned and made with high impact materials for the most demanding mobile applications and launched as Extreme Duty (XD) Breathers.
2007
Des-Case Expands Yet Again
With both a growing international presence and the addition of subsequent product lines, the business continues to flourish, warranting another move to a larger facility in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
2006
Even More Filtration Systems
Des-Case begins to manufacture compact filtration systems such as the portable Drum Topper, as well as dedicated filtration systems such as the Panel Unit.
2005
Filtration Systems & Adapter Kits
Des-Case broadens its product portfolio with the introduction of customizable filter carts and mating adapter kits to provide customers with solutions for ultimate equipment protection. Pairing filtration with breather protection is a natural progression for the company and the industry.
2004
Disposable Steel Breathers and Non-Desiccant Breathers
Des-Case launches Disposable Steel (DS) Breathers for mobile equipment and nautical applications, shortly followed by the launch of Non-Desiccant breathers for low humidity environments and continuous operations with frequent wash-downs.
2004
Layered Media in Desiccant Breathers
Des-Case begins offering layered media in desiccant breathers separated by a ring to solve multiple moisture or vapor issues as well as increase total adsorption capacity for certain applications.
2003
Hybrid Breathers
Des-Case brings Hybrid breathers to the market with interior check valve technology to isolate lubricants from extreme ambient humidity.
2000
Miniature Breathers
To protect even the smallest equipment and storage containers, Des-Case introduces miniature breathers.
1998
Des-Case Goes Global
Des-Case Europe is founded to manage growing distribution partners in the EU.
1997
Des-Case Expands Again
Sales growth warrants a second expansion in 1997 and the Company doubles its capacity.
1996
Des-Case Expands
Des-Case moves into a manufacturing and distribution center in White House, Tennessee.
1987
Steel & Tank Breathers
Des-Case grew the product line to include Steel and Tank breathers designed specifically for applications where there are very high temperatures, extremely polluted air, or a corrosive environment.
1983
Des-Case Is Born
Des-Case Corporation is founded in 1983 to provide the lubricant industry with innovative solutions to extend oil and equipment life. The original breather was the brainchild of the Company founder, Jim Waller, who responded to the request of an engineer at a major oil company looking for a way to enhance the performance and longevity of his products.
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Careers

Des-Case’s success forges ahead because of our growing team of innovative, driven, knowledgeable, and customer-centric individuals who relentlessly pursue solutions to better serve customers while remaining commmitted to personal and professional growth in the workplace. 

Join Our Team