News

News and Insights

Stay up to date with the latest from Monarch-McLaren. Our News page features company updates, industry insights, and in-depth articles covering our products, processes, and the applications we support. From technical expertise on leather sealing solutions to real-world impact across industries, this is where we share knowledge, innovation, and the stories behind our work.

How to Choose the Right Leather Packing

How to Choose the Right Leather Packing for Your Application

Choosing the right leather packing is about more than finding a component that fits. The dimensions and profile of a seal or packing are important, but they are only part of the equation. Pressure, temperature, movement, the material being sealed, equipment condition, clearances, and the intended service all influence whether a sealing component will perform as expected.

Project Sheluka Update: Serving Communities in Western Zambia

When we first shared the story of Project Sheluka, we talked about how a relatively simple engineering solution was helping bring reliable water to remote communities in western Zambia. Today, we're pleased to share an update from the field.

Finding Replacement Seals for Aging Machinery

The challenge is finding the replacement components needed to keep them running. One of the most difficult parts to source is often the seal, gasket, or packing. At Monarch-McLaren, helping customers solve that challenge has been part of our business for more than 75 years.

Why Leather Still Matters in Modern Sealing Applications

It's easy to assume that traditional materials like leather have been replaced by newer alternatives. The reality is much different.

The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Seal

For manufacturers and maintenance teams, the real question is not “What is the cheapest seal?” It is “What is the true cost of a failure?”

Customer Application Spotlight: Air Compressor Flange

A recent customer project involved a custom leather flange packing for a vintage reciprocating air compressor system.

Monarch-McLaren Featured in ActionCOACH Milwaukee Business Spotlight

Monarch-McLaren owner Ed Sylvester was recently featured in an interview with ActionCOACH Milwaukee as part of their Business Spotlight series focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and business growth.

Monarch-McLaren Featured by Wisconsin Public Radio

Monarch-McLaren was recently featured in a story by Wisconsin Public Radio highlighting the craftsmanship and innovation behind leather bicycle saddles produced in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

Project Sheluka Water Well Pump Installations

Over the past several years, Monarch-McLaren has had the privilege of supporting a humanitarian water initiative focused on improving access to reliable, clean water for communities in Africa facing severe water scarcity.

The Benefits of Leather Versus Alternative Materials

Why Leather Seals and Packings Remain a Premium Choice for High-Performance Applications In industrial sealing and packing applications, material choice is mission-critical.