[1] Crane Merchandising Systems was founded in 1926 by B. E. Fry, a St. Louis businessman, as the "National Sales Machine Company.

By 1931, National Sales Machine Company was a well established business, manufacturing a variety of merchandisers for various food products.

In 1934, Al Diederich joined B. W. Fry in National Vendors, giving it the administrative strength it would need to grow during the tumultuous 30s and 40s.

After the war, the company returned to the demand for convenient cigarette, candy and pastry vendors.

Today, Crane Merchandising Systems designs and manufactures a diverse, yet integrated portfolio of automatic merchandising equipment across multiple verticals, including hot and cold beverage, snack, and food.