ELKHART, Ind. — Nibco Inc. is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2024.

The company is planning celebrations for its shareholders, associates, customers, and partners that will continue throughout the year, leading up to the official anniversary date of Tuesday, November 12. Executive team visits to each facility to thank associates for their dedication will begin at the end of May.

“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.”

Nibco is privately held by the Martin family and Nibco associates and has been headquartered in Elkhart 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, the company said in a press release. Nibco has 15 manufacturing plants and 13 distribution centers and employs about 2,650 people.

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

Here are several milestones from Nibco’s history that were mentioned in the press realease:

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

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

• Ross Martin, Schweitzer’s son-in-law, became the seventh employee in 1919. He introduced the concept of employee ownership in 1924 and was named president in 1927.

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

• In 1937, Nibco introduced wrot copper fittings and the soldered joint, resulting in lower costs and lighter-weight fittings.

• Lee Martin, son of Ross Martin, became Nibco’s 3rd president in 1957 and remained as CEO until 1986.

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

• Current chairman emeritus Rex Martin, son of Lee Martin, became president in 1986.

• In 1996, Nibco doubled the size of its headquarters in Elkhart to 100,000 square feet.

• The Rex and Alice A. Martin Foundation was established in 2001 and has been instrumental in underwriting funding for special projects in communities in which Nibco has facilities.  

• Since its 100th anniversary celebration, Nibco has acquired several companies, including Sure Seal, Webstone, Milwaukee Valve, Hammond, Matco-Norca, and SVF Flow Controls.

• Ashley Martin, daughter of Rex and Alice Martin, was named president and chief operating officer in 2023.