Howden Compressor Kits Now Available at Keep Supply

Howden has been solving hard mechanical problems for over 170 years, and today operates as part of Chart Industries. Here's a look at where the company came from, what it builds today, the specific Howden compressor overhaul kits Keep Supply is now stocking, and how we're positioned to get more Howden compressor parts into your hands, faster.

What Howden Builds Today

Modern Howden compressors are the backbone of the company's product lineup, and they show up across oil and gas, power generation, metallurgical, and industrial refrigeration applications. Since 2023, Howden has operated as part of Chart Industries, but the Howden compressor lineup refrigeration techs rely on hasn't changed, it's only grown in reach. The current portfolio includes:

• Compression equipment — centrifugal compressors, reciprocating (piston and diaphragm) compressors, and the rotary screw compressors Howden is best known for in ammonia and industrial refrigeration systems.

• Fans and blowers — axial and centrifugal fans, centrifugal blowers, cooling fans, and the ExVel line of turbo fans, many of which support the same refrigeration and process systems as Howden's compressors.

• Specialized rotating equipment — steam turbines, turboexpanders, mechanical vapor recompression systems, and high-temperature heat pumps (Howden ACHP™) for industrial decarbonization projects.

• Digital and aftermarket tools — platforms like Howden Uptime for performance monitoring, Ventsim for ventilation design, and a full slate of aftermarket parts and service support for equipment already in the field.

For most Keep Supply customers, the Howden compressor is the piece that matters most: it's the workhorse component running day in and day out in ammonia and industrial refrigeration racks, and it's the part most likely to need a seal kit, bearing, or replacement component on short notice.

The Howden Compressor Overhaul Kits Now in Stock at Keep Supply

Howden's two flagship rotary screw compressor lines, the WRV series and the XRV series, are the backbone of most industrial refrigeration racks running today. The WRV series is Howden's versatile process compressor line, built with double-wall construction and slide-valve capacity control for decades of continuous duty. The XRV series is Howden's refrigeration-specific line, using a roller-bearing design that eliminates the need for an oil pump on most installations and pairs stepless capacity control with variable Vi for energy efficiency.

Keep Supply is now stocking Howden compressor overhaul kits for the specific models our customers run most:

• WRV163 overhaul kits — full seal, bearing, and gasket sets for the WRV163 screw compressor.

• WRV204 overhaul kits — rebuild kits covering the WRV204's seal and bearing components.

• WRV(i)255 (MK6) overhaul kits — kits built for the MK6 generation WRV(i)255 compressor.

• XRV127 overhaul kits — available for multiple XRV127 revisions, covering seal and bearing needs across earlier and later builds of this model.

• XRV163 overhaul kits — seal and bearing kits sized for the XRV163 compressor.

• XRV204 overhaul kits — full rebuild kits for the XRV204 compressor.

Each kit bundles the parts a technician needs to complete a full inspection or overhaul in one order, rather than tracking down individual seals, bearings, and gaskets one at a time. As Keep Supply's Howden compressor inventory grows, this list of models is where we're starting, with more Howden compressor parts and kits on the way.

How Keep Supply Delivers More Howden Compressor Parts, Faster

A compressor down is never a "we'll get to it next week" problem, and that's exactly why Keep Supply is expanding what we carry from Howden. Factory-ordered overhaul kits for compressors like the WRV and XRV series can carry lead times of ten weeks or more when sourced directly. By stocking these Howden compressor kits ourselves, we're working to take that wait out of the equation for the models we carry.

Here's what that means for you:

• Deeper stock, shorter lead times on select SKUs. By carrying more Howden compressor components and overhaul kits on the shelf, we cut out the back-and-forth of sourcing parts through third parties, getting replacements to your dock faster.

• Real people who know compressors. Our team doesn't just process orders, we help you identify the right Howden compressor part the first time, so you're not guessing at a part number while a system is down.

• Support built around your timeline. Whether it's a planned maintenance order or an emergency same-day need, our goal is to match the urgency of your situation, not the other way around.

As Keep Supply's Howden lineup continues to grow, this is the same standard you already know us for: dependable parts, backed by a team that treats your downtime like it's our own. Keep an eye on our Parts Menu and site catalog as new Howden compressor products roll out in the coming weeks.

The History Behind Howden Compressors

Howden's story starts in 1854, when engineer James Howden opened a consulting practice in Glasgow, Scotland. By 1862, he'd partnered with James Mathie to found James Howden and Co., building engines and boilers for the marine industry. Early on, the company built its reputation on forced-draught and heat-recovery innovations for ships, patenting mechanical draught systems in the 1860s and refining what became known as the "Howden System of Forced Draught" in the 1880s.

The 20th century is when Howden started looking a lot more like the company refrigeration techs know today. Steam turbine manufacturing began in 1904. Rotary screw compressor technology entered the portfolio in 1938. Refrigeration capability followed in 1968, and fan technology in 1973. By 1985, the business had consolidated into the Howden Compressor and Refrigeration Group, cementing its shift from a marine engine builder into a diversified manufacturer of rotating and compression equipment.

That evolution continued in 2023, when Howden was acquired by Chart Industries, combining Howden's air and gas handling expertise with Chart's cryogenic and gas processing technology. The combined company now operates in more than 35 countries with over 1,500 engineers, but the core of the business, the Howden compressor, still traces its DNA back to that 19th-century Glasgow workshop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Howden part of Chart Industries? Yes. Chart Industries completed its acquisition of Howden in 2023, bringing Howden's air and gas handling equipment, including its full line of Howden compressors, into the Chart Industries portfolio. Howden continues to operate under its own name, and Howden compressor parts and support remain available through the same channels customers already use.

What is a Howden compressor used for? Howden compressors are used across industrial refrigeration, oil and gas, power generation, and metallurgical applications. In industrial refrigeration specifically, Howden's rotary screw compressors are common in ammonia-based systems, where they run continuously as the core of the refrigeration rack.

What types of Howden compressors does Keep Supply offer parts for? Keep Supply is sourcing overhaul kits for Howden's WRV and XRV rotary screw compressor series, including the WRV163, WRV204, WRV(i)255, XRV127, XRV163, and XRV204 models. These are the compressors most commonly found in ammonia and industrial refrigeration systems, and the kits cover the shaft seals, bearings, and gaskets needed for a full inspection or overhaul.

How is buying from Keep Supply different from ordering through Howden or Chart Industries directly? As a distributor, Keep Supply focuses on stocking the Howden compressor parts refrigeration techs need most and getting them shipped fast, often without the lead times that can come with ordering direct from the manufacturer. Our team also helps confirm the correct part number before it ships, so you're not guessing during a breakdown.

How can I get a Howden compressor part quickly? Reach out to your Keep Supply account manager or submit a quote request through our site. If the part is in our growing Howden compressor inventory, we'll work to get it to your dock as fast as possible.

Have a Howden compressor part you need sourced now? Reach out to your Keep Supply account manager or request a quote today.