History

1903

Birth of McWane

J. R. McWane settled in Birmingham, Alabama, and began a modest foundry enterprise, shifting to a coke and coal business when the foundry business faltered.

1904

McWane Pipe Works

In 1904, Henry McWane set up a subsidiary, McWane Pipe Works, to make cast iron pipe and fittings. It was a promising line of business.

1908

J. R. McWane Becomes President of Cast Iron Company

In 1908, J. R. McWane became President of his own cast iron company by 1915, and established innovations in the industry along with worker welfare initiatives. He not only grew the business, but he was also known as a leader in employee relations.

1921

McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company

In 1921, J. R. McWane left and began another new venture, the McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company. As America grew, so did the need to supply flourishing cities with clean water and to remove waste safely. As a result, McWane was able to grow his business. In 1926, he expanded operations from Birmingham to include a second facility in Provo, Utah, called the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company.

1933

William (Bill) McWane Becomes Company President

After the death of J. R. McWane in 1933, his son William (Bill) McWane became president. He remained focused on maintaining the two foundries through the good and bad times of the 1930s and World War II. In 1962, McWane expanded by acquiring Empire Coke Company, a manufacturer of foundry coke and by-products for foundries and other industrial operations.

1971

James (Jim) Ransom McWane becomes Company President

In 1971, William McWane’s son James (Jim) Ransom McWane, became president of McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company. In 1975, he served as chairman and chief executive officer for McWane, Inc.

1975

McWane Purchases Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company

In 1975, McWane purchased Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, preserving American jobs in the process. The company next diversified by acquiring the Union Foundry Company, an Anniston, Alabama, waterworks fittings business.

1980

5 Additional Companies Added to McWane Family

During the 1980s, McWane added M&H Valve Company acquired Clow Water Systems Company and Clow Valve Company. Kennedy Valve Company of Elmira, New York, was added in 1988. Subsequently, McWane strengthened its global commitment by establishing McWane International, which markets all McWane products worldwide.

1989

McWane Expands to Canada

McWane entered the Canadian market in 1989 with the acquisition of Canada Pipe Company in Hamilton, Ontario. Following its entry into Canada, McWane further expanded its manufacturing by establishing Clow Canada in 1990, consolidating manufacturing operations in St. Johns, New Brunswick.

1995

Additional Growth of McWane

In 1995, McWane acquired Tyler Pipe & Coupling in Texas. The company also purchased a couplings operation in California, now known as Anaco. During the late 1990s, McWane acquired the Bibby Companies through Canada Pipe, Tennessee-based Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Brunner Manufacturing and Amerex Corporation of Trussville, Alabama. 

2008

Janus Fire Systems and McWane Poles

In 2008, Janus Fire Systems, based out of Crown Point, Indiana, joined McWane as a division of Amerex. Also in 2008, McWane Poles developed a new line of ductile iron utility poles for the electric utility industry.

2012

McWane Enters Technology Markets

Then, in 2012, McWane began their diversification strategy into technology by adding Synapse Wireless to its portfolio of companies. Additional technology additions to McWane included Futurecom, an Ontario-based RF coverage extension solutions, and Nighthawk, a leading provider for wireless smart grid solutions. In 2014, McWane acquired United Kingdom-based  Zinwave, a global company that has pioneered a new approach for reliable multi-service in-building wireless coverage.

2015

Ductile Pipe Unification & Continued Expansion

In 2015, the McWane ductile iron pipe companies (Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company, Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company and Clow Water Systems Company) unified under the brand McWane Ductile. The plants are now referred to as McWane Ductile – New Jersey, McWane Ductile – Ohio and McWane Ductile – Utah.

McWane opened its first manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi, McWane Gulf, in October of 2015.

2018

Waterman Joins McWane

Waterman, a leader in the valve manufacturing industry, joined the McWane Valve & Hydrant Group in 2018.