CLEVELAND, November 15, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Keeney Holdings LLC, a member of the Oatey family of companies, is celebrating the significant 100th anniversary of the Keeney brand this year. Since its founding in 1923, Keeney has been a trusted name in the plumbing industry, delivering reliable products and exceptional customer service throughout the United States, Canada and worldwide.
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Duracraft Plastics, Inc. was founded in 1971 to produce complementary plastic tubing as an alternative to brass tubing. Shown is the Duracraft P trap assembly line. (Photo: Oatey)
The journey that created Keeney is filled with determination, ingenuity and the unwavering commitment of the founding family. The Keeney Manufacturing Company was founded in New Britain, Connecticut in 1923 by Bertha Macristy Hanna, the first woman to start a manufacturing company in Connecticut. Bertha assembled a team of family members and, using the management experience she had gained at a previous employer, founded Keeney to produce residential plumbing and heating fixtures.
Due to gender politics at the time, it was unusual for a woman to head a company. Therefore, although Bertha was Keeney’s majority shareholder, she asked her brother-in-law, William Keeney, to be the figurehead of the company. “BA Macristy” took on the titles of treasurer and company secretary and ran her factory behind the scenes.
Known for her strong will and resilience, Bertha accompanied Keeney from its founding through the Great Depression and World War II. On April 1, 1925, Keeney Manufacturing Company relocated its 13 employees to Newington, CT, and since then the company has grown exponentially through acquisitions and organic expansion.
From its humble beginnings as a manufacturer of floor and ceiling tiles and radiator air valves, Keeney quickly expanded its product range through the use of injection molding technology and positioned itself as a leader in the plumbing industry. Today, Keeney offers a full line of specialty products, including under-sink drains and toilet, shower and bathtub repair products.
The story goes on
Purchased by Oatey: In 2019, Oatey, a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, acquired certain assets from Keeney to further enhance both companies’ manufacturing expertise and technological capabilities. At the time of purchase, Keeney was still owned by the Holden family and run by the grandchildren of Bertha Macristy Hanna. The acquisition has paved the way for Keeney to have an exciting future as part of the Oatey family of companies.
“As we celebrate Keeney’s centennial, we look back with pride on the brand’s long and impressive history and are extremely grateful for the exceptional foundation and legacy of the Holden family,” said Neal Restivo, Chief Executive Officer of Oatey.
Remarkable Story: Over the years, Keeney has pursued an inspiring journey of operational expansion and product innovation, becoming a global leader in the plumbing industry.
For example, during World War II, Keeney played a critical role as a manufacturer of specialty tubing products for the U.S. aircraft industry. In 1970, Plumb Pak Corporation was founded to package products that met the needs of the then rapidly growing Do It Yourself market. Duracraft Plastics, Inc. was founded in 1971 to produce complementary plastic tubing as an alternative to brass tubing.
In the 1980s, Keeney expanded its nationwide presence by establishing distribution locations in Nevada (1981) and Georgia (1983). That same decade (1986) saw the opening of Keeney’s first manufacturing facility in New Hampshire, a facility that would soon become the centerpiece of the company.
In 1995, Keeney founded Plumb Pak Southwest in Texas and in 1996 founded Plumb Pak North in New Hampshire. By 2000, Keeney had consolidated its New Hampshire facilities into a state-of-the-art, 230,000-square-foot facility. Manufacturing, packaging and distribution facility in Winchester.
Keeney’s commitment to growth and innovation led to international expansion in 1993 when Canadian faucet and accessories manufacturer Bélanger joined the company. Keeney’s global growth continued in 2004 with the opening of a manufacturing and distribution facility in Jiangmen, China, its first foray into Asia. In 2013, the company expanded its Asian manufacturing and distribution capabilities with a 47,000 square foot facility in Jiangmen.
Today, Keeney remains committed to customer satisfaction and reliable products. With strategically located locations in the United States, Canada and China, Keeney serves customers around the world with its range of plumbing solutions.
For more information about Keeney and products, visit www.keeneymfg.com.
ABOUT OATEY CO.
Since 1916, Oatey has been providing reliable, high quality products to the residential and commercial plumbing industries with the goal of delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates an extensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products to professional builders, contractors, engineers and DIY enthusiasts around the world.
Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.oatey.com, call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
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