In 1919, Pitney joined forces with Walter Bowes, an entrepreneur who had achieved prominence in postal circles through his company, the "Universal Stamping Machine Company", which manufactured post office canceling machines. In 1920, the two companies merged to create the "Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company". In 1926, PBPM Co. (as it was then known) merged with Edward Franks' "Franking Company of America" and was consolidated and renamed as the "Franks Universal Postage Company", or sometimes referred to as "The Universal Postage Trust".