FRANKLIN PARK, IL— Sloan Valve Company has been named the 2009 recipient of the Century Award in Loyola University Chicago’s Family Business Center’s 16th annual Illinois Family Business of the Year Awards. This award program recognizes exceptional Illinois-based family businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to business development, family and the greater Illinois community.

“Sloan Valve Company is honored to receive the Century Award, recognizing our more than 100 years in business in the Chicago area,” says President and CEO Kirk Allen, the great-grandson of Sloan founder William E. Sloan. “My great-grandfather invented the Flushometer, which is now a common plumbing product in restrooms today, and we continue to tap our family-driven entrepreneurial spirit to innovate and manufacture water- and energy-efficient plumbing systems.”

In 1906, W.E. Sloan began selling his invention, the Royal® Flushometer. The Royal remains a popular commercial plumbing product in Sloan’s line-up, alongside newer developments such as sensor-operated Flushometers and faucets, and Waterfree Urinals.

“Time and again, the family business model has proven to be a successful force in the American economy, because it places people at its heart,” said Andrew Keyt, executive director of Loyola's Family Business Center. “The awards honor those who uphold this special legacy.”

An awards gala honoring the winners and finalists will take place December 2 at The Four Seasons Hotel-Chicago.

The other awardees are: Small Family Business of the Year, Wisdom Adhesives; Medium Family Business of the Year, Stenstrom Companies Ltd.; Large Family Business of the Year, Rex Electric and Technologies LLC; and Community Service Award, Packer Engineering Inc. This year’s awards drew nearly 250 nominations in the five categories. Past award winners include Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Turano Baking Company, Gold Eagle Co., and Baird and Warner.