AFC About UsAMERICAN FLOW CONTROL In March of 1991, the management of American Cast Iron Pipe Company made the decision to merge its two valve- and hydrant-producing subsidiaries, American-Darling Valve and Waterous, into one division. This new division became American Flow Control. Thus was born one of the world’s largest and most diverse valve and hydrant producers. This merger produced a division with over 200 years combined experience in the design and production of waterworks and fire-protection products. Production facilities are located in Beaumont, Texas, and South St. Paul, Minnesota. American Flow Control serves the United States and the world with its vast selection of valve and hydrant products.
Waterous Company was founded in 1844 as the Waterous Engine Works Co., Ltd., founded by C.H. Waterous in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. The company built steam fire engines and sawmill equipment. In 1881, the twin sons of C. H. Waterous set up a branch in Winnipeg. When this facility was outgrown, the Waterous brothers moved the operations to South St. Paul, Minnesota. At this new location Waterous Company produced steam fire engines and hook and ladder trucks, switching in later years to horse-drawn gasoline fire engines and motorized apparatus. In 1886 Waterous Company began producing fire hydrants. Production was temporarily disrupted in 1904 when, ironically, a fire destroyed the plant. Waterous Company introduced its first steam pumper, and in 1898, the company introduced the world’s first gasoline-powered pumper. Eight years later, Waterous developed the first gasoline engine self-propelled pumper which was sold to Wayne, Pennsylvania. New York City purchased its first self-propelled fire engine from Waterous Company in 1909. Waterous Company assembled the complete machines including motors, transmissions, rear axles, and pumps. With the acquisition of Traverse City Iron Works in 1978, Waterous Company expanded its line of waterworks and fire-protection products to include gate valves, tapping sleeves, and indicator posts. Waterous Company was purchased in 1989 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Cast Iron Pipe Company. In March 1991, Waterous Company was merged with American-Darling Valve to form American Flow Control. American-Darling Valve
Founded in 1888 as the Darling Pump & Mfg. Co. Ltd., the company was organized to manufacture and sell Darling oil well pumps and supplies and engage in the business of general brass founding and machining. Having been born into the rapidly developing petroleum industry, the company’s product line was soon expanded to include gate valves for well control, flow-line, and pipe-line use. At the turn of the century, fire hydrants, gate valves, and accessories for water and fire lines became an important part of the product line. The product line continued to expand and eventually included cast steel valves, bronze and special alloy gate valves, and high grade specialties for the nuclear and industrial markets. In 1969 American Cast Iron Pipe Company acquired the waterworks product line. The name of the new division was American-Darling Valve. The manufacturing facility is located in Beaumont, Texas. In March of 1991, American-Darling Valve was merged with Waterous Company to form American Flow Control.
The parent company of American Flow Control is the American Cast Iron Pipe Co. with international headquarters located in Birmingham, Alabama. Organized in 1905, the American Cast Iron Pipe Company operates the largest ductile iron pipe manufacturing plant in the United States. The American Cast Iron Pipe Company is unique in that it is one of the oldest and most successful employee-owned and employee-managed companies in the country. Its operation is in accordance with the Eagan Plan, which bears the name of its originator, Mr. John Joseph Eagan, who was the company’s founder and first president. Before his death on March 30, 1924, Mr. Eagan acquired all of the outstanding common stock of American Cast Iron Pipe Company and deposited it in a trust established for the benefit of the employees. Mr. Eagan was a devout Christian who applied his faith to every moment of his private and public life. His deep convictions convinced him of the practicality of applying Christian principles to industry. On June 3, 1921, Mr. Eagan proposed to the Board of Directors the following: "Gentlemen: I recommend that we adopt the principles of Jesus Christ as the guiding principles of this business. I believe that the running of our plant on such principles will result in greater efficiency and better results. I feel sure that the principles of Christ, if honestly applied, will give the victory in any avenue of human endeavor and experience." The American Cast Iron Pipe Company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of piping and valve products for the water, sewer, gas transmission, and industrial markets. In 1969 American purchased the waterworks division of Darling Valve and Manufacturing Company located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and became known as American-Darling Valve. In March 1989 the company acquired the Waterous Company of South St. Paul, Minnesota. The following is a brief history of these two companies, which merged in 1991 to become American Flow Control.
IN OUR FIRST 100 YEARS 1898 1907 1922 1929 1938 1955 1981 1988 1989 1996 1997 1998 2002
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© 1995 – 2008, American Cast Iron Pipe Company
Customer Service: 1-800-326-8051 (Birmingham) 1-888-266-3686 (Waterous)
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