Sterling Plumbing: Difference between revisions

| predecessor = Sterling Specialty Company<br>Sterling Faucet Company <br> Rockwell International - Building Components Division<br>Sterling Plumbing Group Inc.

'''Sterling Plumbing''' is the brand-name of a line of plumbing products manufactured by [[Kohler Co]]. The company designs and manufactures a diverse selection of product for the kitchen and bath, including whirlpoolfaucets, tubstoilets, sinks, toiletswhirlpool tubs, shower doors and bathroom accessories.

The earliest roots of the company trace back to 1907 when two brothers from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] , Clark and John M. Beggs, establishedbuilt a factory in [[Crafton, Pennsylvania]] to produce household gas valves.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aboutfor Sterlingfireplaces Plumbing|url=https://sterlingplumbing.com/about-us|website=Sterlingand Plumbing|publisher=Kohlerboiler Costands.|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Morgantown's Ruby has 'Golden Touch' |accessdate=8 June 2018 |publisher=The Pittsburgh Press |date=19 April 1964 |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |page=29}}</ref> In the same year, a man called John Wesley "J.W." Ruby, started working in the factory as a buffer. J.W. Ruby later would be president of the company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sterling Plumbing - About Us |url=https://sterling.kohler.com/en/about-us|website=Sterling Plumbing|publisher=Kohler Co.|accessdate=2 Feb 2023}}</ref> In 1913, The Sterling Specialty Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was established. andThe asame brassyear, facilitythe wascompany built a facility at [[Newcomerstown, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Newcomers is assured of brass works|publisher=The Daily Times (New Philadelphia, Ohio)|date=10 July 1913|page=4}}</ref>

In 1931, the company was renamed as The Sterling Faucet Company.<ref>{{cite news|title=Newcomerstown fire does $100,000 damage|publisherwork=The Tribune|date=16 March 1939|location=Coshocton, Ohio|page=1}}</ref> The company specialized in the production of faucets. The company also provided services of chrome and nickel plating for auto parts and for doctor's and dentist's instruments.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tribune Classified Advertising Information|publisherwork=The Tribune|date=12 May 1931|location=Coshocton, Ohio|page=9}}</ref>

On October 1, 1936, the company requested a federal court to declare them insolvent and grant permission to reorganize under the U.S. Bankruptcy laws.<ref>{{cite news|title=County firm is insolvent|publisher=The Daily Times|date=1 October 1936|location=New Philadelphia, Ohio|page=1}}</ref>

On March 16, 1939, a fire destroyed the Sterling Faucet facility of Newcomerstown, Ohio. After the fire was extinguished, it was unclear whether or not the facility would be reconstructed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Newcomerstown fire does $100,000 damage|publisherwork=The Tribune|date=16 March 1939|location=Coshocton, Ohio|page=1}}</ref> The company had approximately 80 employees at the moment of the fire.<ref>{{cite news|title=Faucet Plant is Lost Here|publisher=The Coshocton Tribune|date=9 Apr 1940|location=Coshocton, Ohio|page=3}}</ref>

On April 9, 1940, it was announced the Sterling Faucet Company will be moved to [[Morgantown, West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Faucet Plant is Lost Here|publisher=The Coshocton Tribune|date=9 Apr 1940|location=Coshocton, Ohio|page=3}}</ref> On June 12, 1940, it was reported the Sterling Faucet Company completed the transference of its assets to the former Sabraton Works facility of the [[American Sheet and Tin Plate Company]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Faucet Plant Transferred|publisher=The Daily Times|date=12 June 1940|location=New Philadelphia, Ohio|page=10}}</ref> J.W. Ruby was placed in charge of the Morgantown facility.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sterling Plumbing - About Us |url=https://sterling.kohler.com/en/about-us |website=Sterling Plumbing |publisher=Kohler Co}}</ref>

In 1973, Rockwell International Corp., renamed the Sterling Faucet division as the Building Components Division.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unit renamed by Rockwell|publisher=The Pittsburgh Press|date=7 June 1973|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|page=29}}</ref> Rockwell started manufacturing Faucetsfaucets under the Rockwell brand.

On January 10, 1974, the Building Components division of Rockwell International informed the closing of its plant in Tyler Texas citing duplication of production facilities. The plant had 150 employees at the time of the announcement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tyler Plant to be Closed|accessdate=15 May 2018|publisher=Longview News-Journal|date=10 January 1974|location=Longview, Texas|page=7}}</ref>

On November 7, 1977, Rockwell International Corp, informed it may sell the Building Components division since there were several prospective buyers. It was also announced it will close the plant of Reedsville, West Virginia merging it with the operations of the plant in Morgantown, West Virginia. After the closing of the Reedsville Plant, the operations of the division remained in the plants of Sheridan, Arkansas, and Morgantown, West Virginia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rockwell may sell division|accessdate=23 May 2018|publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=7 November 1977|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|page=26}}</ref>

In 1978, William W. Boyd and [[David Wright (disambiguation)|David C. Wright]] bought the company to Rockwell International and renamed it as Sterling Faucet Company. The company was reformed as a privately held firm.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Christine Valzovano|title=Manufacturers|url=https://www.theanswerline.com/Manufacturers.php|website=The Answer Line|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref>

in 1980, Sterling introduced to the market the Accent brand of faucets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Laundry Tray Faucet|accessdate=15 May 2018|publisher=Fort Lauderdale News|date=6 November 1980|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|page=114}}</ref>

On January 26, 1984, [[Kohler Co.]] announced the purchase of Sterling Faucet Co. Kohler officials mentioned the purchase will allow the company to enter in the economy end of the faucet market, expand its markets and broad the product lines. As part of the acquisition, the brass foundry and injection molding plant of Morgantown, West Virginia and the assembly and injection molding plant of Sheridan, Arkansas (were 700 and 250 workers were employed respectively) became part of Kohler. The Sterling and Accent brands were integrated into [[Kohler Kitchen & Bath]] family of products.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kohler Co. Buys Faucet-Making Firm|accessdate=25 May 2018|publisher=The Sheboygan Press|date=26 January 1984|location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin|page=3}}</ref> After the acquisition, Kohler started expanding the offering of Sterling branded products adding in the following years, tube doors, shower doors, sinkscorner shower enclosures, toiletsbathing fixtures, vitreous china fixtures, and other bathroom accessories to the existing faucets line.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Sterling Plumbing|url=https://sterlingplumbing.com/about-us|website=Sterling Plumbing|publisher=Kohler Co.|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref>

On December 29, 1986, Sterling Faucet Co. announced the acquisition of [[Polar Stainless Products Inc.]] which owned a plant in [[Searcy, Arkansas]] since 1965<ref>{{cite news |title=Industrial Bond Issue |publisher=Northwest Arkansas Times |date=9 August 1965 |location=Fayetteville, Arkansas |page=2}}</ref> and employed 150 workers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kohler Co. Subsidiary Gets Polar Stainless|accessdate=16 May 2018|publisher=The Sheboygan Press|date=29 December 1986|location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin|page=15}}</ref> The acquisition brought stainless steel sinks to the Sterling family of products.

In 1987, Sterling Faucet Co. purchased the Bath Products Division and related patented technology of the then struggling company, [[Owens Corning]]. The purchase included a manufacturing plant in [[Huntsville, Alabama]] that was built in 1972. This purchase brought the Vikrell (a poly-resin/plastic and fiberglass compound) line of bathing fixtures to Sterling.<ref>{{cite book|title=Home Page - The Taunton Press|date=2003|isbn=1-56158-584-X | page=[https://archive.org/details/renovatingbathro00fine/page/47 47]| url=httphttps://wwwarchive.taunton.comorg/details/renovatingbathro00fine/page/47|url-access=registration|last1=Homebuilding|first1=Fine}}</ref>

On March 31, 1988, the company was renamed as Sterling Plumbing Group Inc.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business Organization Detail|url=http://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/organization.aspx?org=121007|website=Online Data Services|publisher=West Virginia Secretary of State|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> Sterling Plumbing Group focused in the manufacturing and marketing of a full line of plumbing products for the Hardware/Home Center, Plumbing and Hardware wholesale, Builder and Specialized OEM market channels.

On November 16, 1988, Sterling bought Kinkead Industries (a subsidiary of [[USG Corporation]]) and its manufacturing plant in [[Union City, Tennessee]]. This purchase added folding shower doors, tub and shower enclosures to the Sterling family of products.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kohler subsidiary buys Illinois firm|accessdate=16 May 2018|publisher=The Sheboygan Press|date=16 November 1988|location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin|page=20}}</ref>

From 1994 to 19951996, the faucet operations at Morgantown, West Virginia were transferred to facilities in the cities of [[Sheridan, Arkansas|Sheridan]] and [[Malvern, Arkansas|Malvern]], [[Arkansas]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Bill Henson|title=Sterling shifts its molding to Arkansas|url=http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/19950918/NEWS/309189980/sterling-shifts-its-molding-to-arkansas|website=www.plasticnews.com|publisher=Crain Communications Inc.|accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref> At the same time, the corporate offices moved to [[Rolling Meadows, Illinois]].

On July 2, 1999, the company Sterling Plumbing Group Inc. was merged with Kohler Co.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business Organization Detail|url=http://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/organization.aspx?org=27524|website=Online Data Services|publisher=West Virginia Secretary of State|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> By the end of the year, the logos located in the facilities of the Sterling Plumbing Group were replaced by the Kohler logo.

In 2004January 2003, in a press release, Sterling Plumbing phasedannounced outthe discontinuation of the entire faucet product line to focus in other group of plumbing products.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sterling Discontinued Entire Faucet Line|url=https://www.supplyht.com/articles/85067-sterling-discontinued-entire-faucet-line|website=Supply House Times|publisher=American Supply Association|accessdate=2 May 2018|date=9 May 2003}}</ref> Production of faucets continued in the different Kohler facilities under the Kohler brand. The discontinuation included the faucet lines Nova™, Starflo™, Gemini™, Tribute™, Eminence™, Progression™, bath/shower drains and accessories.