Our History - Waterous Co

OVER 138 YEARS

OF FIRE EQUIPMENT INNOVATION

One hundred years ago, our products were the ultimate standard in the fire pump and waterworks industries. One hundred years from now, they’ll still be the ultimate standard. That’s because when lives are on the line, there is no substitute for the best. From constructing the first gasoline-engine-driven fire pump to developing the most efficient compressed air foam systems in use today, Waterous has maintained its legacy as the first name in firefighting.

Watch Our Legacy Unfold

Explore our history

2021

Bill Smith retires after 23 total years of service to Waterous. Dan Reese, who was hired in 2017 as Vice President of Operations, becomes President of the company.

2021

Waterous acquires 6 Modula Vertical Lift Modules (VLM’s) which offer increased factory floor space saving, inventory accuracy, and parts processing efficiency.

1886

C. H. Waterous, President and Founder of the Waterous Engine Works Company of Brantford, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba, assigns his twin sons, Frederic L. Waterous and Frank J. Waterous the task of moving the Winnipeg manufacturing operation to a new facility in the United States.

1886

The first Waterous factory is completed in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The new operation survives and flourishes to become what is today the Waterous Company.

1886

Waterous introduces the Frost-Jacket Hydrant which remains in production until 1922.

1898

Waterous revolutionizes firefighting with the first gasoline-engine-driven fire pump.

1906

An internal combustion engine is used for the first time to propel a pumper. In it, two engines are used: one for propelling the vehicle and one for pumping. The following year, Waterous introduces a pumper using a single combustion engine for driving and pumping.

1917

Waterous completes a new, much larger, and more modern plant at 80 East Fillmore Avenue in St. Paul along prominent rail shipping lines. The new plant is within a block of the Mississippi River and remains in use for the next 60 years.

1929

Waterous completes and delivers its final fire truck. From that point on, the company’s mission transitions to a focus on fire pumps, hydrants, and other firefighting equipment.

1931

Waterous introduces the W31, a separable hydrant bonnet and nozzle section. It remains in production until 1959.

1935

Fred Waterous, the 40-year-old son of Frank Waterous, takes over day-to-day supervision of the company’s operations from his 80-year-old father.

1944

Waterous is pivotal in helping the USA in the war effort by supplying industrial bilge pumps to many Navy ships. (Pictured: A Cargill tanker docked in St. Paul.)

1955

Waterous introduces several advances, including flame-plated impeller hubs for superior wear protection. Today, Waterous is still the only fire pump manufacturer that flame-plates its impellers.

1958

A first-generation Waterous Mobile Training Unit is used to train firefighters and mechanics across the country.

1963

Frederick S. Roesler is named President and becomes the first non-family member to hold the title since the company was founded in 1886. Roesler succeeds Fred Waterous, who is 68 years old.

1965

Waterous is purchased by American Hoist and Derrick through a transfer of stock and becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Shown here are John E. Carroll, President of American Hoist, and Derrick and Fred Waterous Sr.

1967

Waterous introduces the Pacer Hydrant, of which improved versions of the design are still being produced today.

1970

The Waterous board chooses Jerome Mandel to succeed the retiring Fred Roesler as President. Mandel began working for the company in 1952 and settles in for a 23-year run at the helm. His first major task is overseeing the construction of a new manufacturing facility.

1974

Construction is completed on the new Waterous manufacturing and office facility. This new, one-level, 140,000-square-foot facility affords Waterous the ability to drastically modernize its manufacturing processes.

1977

Waterous brings two additional product enhancements to market: The Silent Chain Drive Transmission and the Ball Transfer Valve, a patented floating seal design that provides a smooth transfer to pressure or volume with either manual or electric switch activation.

1978

With the purchase of Traverse City Iron Works of Michigan, Waterous gains a new line of gate valves. Four years later, Waterous introduces the Series 500 Resilient Seated Gate Valve.

1986

Waterous celebrates 100 years of dependability in the industry!

1989

Waterous is purchased by American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) and becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary. In 1991, the hydrant and valve line at Waterous joins with other ACIPCO holdings in Beaumont, Texas, creating the American Flow Control division, which markets products from both facilities.

1991

The Series 2500 Resilient Seated Gate Valves are introduced and continue to be manufactured today in sizes varying from 2 to 30 inches.

1993

Jerome Mandel retires after 23 years of overseeing the company. Donald J. Haugen, a Waterous executive and member of the team since 1980, becomes the new President.

1998

Adding to the firm’s engineering expertise and accomplishment, Waterous achieves the prestigious ISO-9001 registration.

2000

Waterous purchases Pneumax, bringing them into the revolutionary “Foam Age” by aiding in the creation of the Eclipse™ CAFSystem™. This purchase further adds a full line of foam systems, compressed air foam systems, and pump modules.

2002

Due to the influx of new products, Waterous outgrows its current facility and decides to expand its factory, warehouse, and office to accommodate the expansion. The stunning new 210,000-square-foot factory and office is welcomed with open arms by both employees and customers.

2003

While Waterous has been selling products internationally for several decades, the introduction of the HL Series Fire Pump—which is specially designed for international fire trucks—makes Waterous a truly international company.

2006

The C10 chain case is introduced. It Utilizes the same footprint as the Y chain case but is made out of aluminum, saving 145 lbs.

2007

Waterous launches the Aquis™ Foam Proportioner System, which delivers highly accurate and consistent foam-to-water mix ratios for fire departments using Class A and compressed foam.

2008

Waterous continues to improve and redesign products to better serve the fire industry by introducing its Endurance™ vehicle-mounted fire pumps. Representing the next generation of single-stage pumps, they offer unique combinations of enhanced functionality, lighter weight, and more compact designs—all without sacrificing reliability or ease of operation.

2009

Bill Smith, Waterous Vice President of Manufacturing, succeeds Don Haugen as President. Haugen originally hired Smith in 1997 as Director of Manufacturing.

2009

Waterous introduces the C20 Chain-Drive Transmission to replace the C10 Transmission. The C20 is thinner and weighs 30 lbs. less than the C10.

2009

Waterous debuts the Pacer Classic Hydrants. Designed for communities interested in keeping a classic look, the hydrants mimic the appearance of older hydrants while providing the most modern components and functionality.

2011

Waterous celebrates its 125th Anniversary. Of all the corporations founded in the United States in 1886, fewer than twenty continue to exist today. Waterous is one of those companies.

2011

Waterous releases an international-style, compact, rear-mounted HL Series Fire Pump. The HL is able to simultaneously flow at high and low pressure.

2014

Waterous releases the Ultra-High Pressure CPK-5 pump that is used by the United States Air Force for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) applications.

2016

Waterous introduces the touch panel screen called Tellurus to enable operators to perform control and operation functions at the touch of a button.

2016

Waterous introduces the ALPHA inlet restrained joint, which is easier to install and compatible with several different pipe materials.

2017

To continually manufacture the highest quality products, Waterous invests millions of dollars in its machining and processes, including state-of-the-art autonomous robots.

2019

Waterous introduces an industrial foam system called ULTRAFLOW. It allows for up to 16 discharges that can be controlled by the Tellurus digital control system.

2019

My Waterous—an online portal for customers to access items related to their Waterous Products—is launched. By simply entering a serial number, customers can now get the exact make-up of their Waterous pump and order additional parts online.

2020

During the height of the Global Pandemic, Waterous launches Waterous University, leveraging a new catalog of online resources to engage the fire industry and its customers with online educational resources.

2020

Waterous completes the installation of two Mazak 5-axis milling machines, further increasing its productivity and tolerances of complex components with these two sophisticated machines.

2021

Bill Smith retires after 23 total years of service to Waterous. Dan Reese, who was hired in 2017 as Vice President of Operations, becomes President of the company.

2021

Waterous acquires 6 Modula Vertical Lift Modules (VLM’s) which offer increased factory floor space saving, inventory accuracy, and parts processing efficiency.

1886

The first Waterous factory is completed in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The new operation survives and flourishes to become what is today the Waterous Company.

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