NIBCO Celebrates 120th Anniversary

ELKHART, IN – NIBCO INC. is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2024. For 120 years, NIBCO has stood the test of time, providing innovative and reliable products and establishing itself as leader in the manufacture of flow control products.

During 2024, NIBCO is planning celebrations for its shareholders, associates, customers and partners, which will continue throughout the year leading up to the official anniversary date on November 12, 2024. Executive team visits to each individual facility location to thank associates for their dedication will begin at the end of May. To commemorate the anniversary, NIBCO also created special throwback merchandise.

Five Generations

“We are extremely proud of NIBCO’s five generations of family-owned leadership,” said NIBCO’s President and COO Ashley Martin. “The key to our success is our rich heritage of our people who we refer to as associates because they are owners of the company. We have had employee ownership since 1924. Our core values of safety, integrity, teamwork, continuous improvement, and philanthropy strengthen our commitment to our associates and our communities where we are located.”

Privately held by the Martin Family and NIBCO associates and headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., since its founding in 1904, five generations of family leadership have developed NIBCO INC. into a leading manufacturer and distributor of flow-control products and systems for the residential, commercial, industrial, marine, irrigation and waterworks markets. With 15 manufacturing plants and 13 distribution centers, NIBCO employs 2,650 associates worldwide.

“We’re excited to commemorate this anniversary with initiatives that bring our business partners and associates together,” added Martin. “The dedication and commitment of our people are a testament to the pivotal role they play in driving our collective success.”

Key Milestones

While twelve decades of milestones are too plentiful to mention, following are several key milestones from the past 120 years of rich NIBCO history:

• Casper Schweitzer founded Northern Indiana Brass Foundry Works in Elkhart, Ind., on Nov. 12, 1904.

• In 1922, the company entered the new indoor plumbing market with its copper plumbing products.

• Ross Martin, Schweitzer’s son-in-law, became the 7th employee in 1919. He was named NIBCO’s President in 1927.

• Ross Martin first introduced the concept of employee ownership at NIBCO in 1924. This was a very revolutionary idea at the time and continues to be an important part of NIBCO’s culture today.

• NIBCO introduced the first practical copper fitting for residential use in 1927.

• In 1937, NIBCO introduced wrot copper fittings and the soldered joint, establishing NIBCO as an innovator and leader, resulting in lower costs and lighter weight fittings.

• Lee Martin, son of Ross Martin, became NIBCO’s 3rd President in 1957 and remained as C.E.O. until 1986.

• NIBCO entered the bronze and iron valve business in 1963.

• Current Chairman Emeritus of NIBCO Rex Martin, son of Lee Martin, became President in 1986.

• In 1996, NIBCO doubled the size of its World Headquarters building to 100,000 square feet in Elkhart.

• The Rex and Alice A. Martin Foundation, a philanthropic organization was established by Rex and Alice A. Martin in 2001 and has been instrumental in underwriting funding for special projects in NIBCO-based communities. 

• Since its 100th anniversary celebration, NIBCO has acquired several companies that comprise the NIBCO Family of Companies including Sure Seal®, Webstone®, Milwaukee Valve®, Hammond®, Matco-Norca™ and SVF Flow Controls™.

• Ashley Martin, daughter of Rex and Alice Martin, who joined the company in 2012, was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 2023. 

[The editorial staff of CONTRACTOR, which is celebrating its own 70th anniversary, would like to extend their congratulations to the NIBCO team and hopes for their future success.]