Many companies are under pressure, taking heat from shareholders to deliver profits in a sour economy. If there’s one thing that National Presto Industries (NYSE:NPK) does well is handle the heat — and pressure.

Based in Eau Claire, Wis., National Presto began in 1905, making pressure canners for the canning industry. It has evolved into a manufacturer of reasonably priced products that end up in many home kitchens.

Shares of National Presto have risen 47% year to date, 11% in the past three months. On Sept. 9, the stock hit an all-time high of $80.05, after dropping to a recent low of $46 on Jan. 22. National Presto closed Thursday at $74.60.

Despite the visibility of its consumer products, National Presto stock flies under the investment community’s radar — even though it’s traded 39 years on the Big Board. Its largest institutional holders include Royce & Associates, with about 11.8% of outstanding shares, and Barclays Global Investors UK Holdings and Dimensional Fund Advisors, each with about 5.3% of the stock.

Heading up the company is Maryjo Cohen, who joined National Presto in 1976. She was appointed president in 1989, chief executive in 1994 and board chairman in 2002.

National Presto, which started as Northwestern Steel and Iron Works, is best known for its multitude of portable electric appliances and housewares, most of which are made overseas. Known as National Presto for 55 years, it gained prominence with its cutting-edge devices that eased the burden of the post-war homemaker . . .

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