American Radiator Company
| Fate | Merged with Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Michigan Radiator & Iron Manufacturing Company The Detroit Radiator Company The Pierce Steam Heating Company |
| Successor | American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation |
| Founded | 1892 |
The American Radiator Company was established in 1892 by the merger of a number of North American radiator manufacturers. The company expanded in the early 20th century into Europe under the brand National Radiator Company.
In 1929 it amalgamated with the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company to form the American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation.
The Michigan Radiator & Iron Manufacturing Company was founded in 1888. John B. Dyar manager and owner of the Detroit Metal & Heating Works was the main promoter. Clarence M. Woolley joined the firm in 1887.
The Detroit Radiator Company was formed in 1882 by Henry C. and Charles C. Hodges.
The Pierce Steam Heating Company was founded in 1881 by John B. Pierce and Joseph Bond in Buffalo.
The Standard Radiator Company (Buffalo) was established by Nelson Holland.
The American Radiator company was formed in 1891/2 from the Detroit Radiator Company, the Michigan Radiator & Iron Manufacturing Company, and the Pierce Steam Heating Company of Buffalo. The company was headed by Joseph Bond, (of Pierce Steam Heating Co.), as President, Charles Hodges, (of Detroit Radiator) as Treasurer, and Clarence Woolley (of Michigan Radiator) as Secretary.
The company made a profit of $400,000 in its first year, but was subsequently affected by an economic depression (see also Panic of 1893). In 1894, Mr. Woolley convinced the other officers of the company to pay his way to Europe, whereupon he immediately booked the sale of $50,000 worth of cast iron radiators for the Swiss capitol. This was the start of the company's entry into the European market. By the following year, the company had established a branch in London, England. The company began manufacturing in several west European countries, starting in 1898 and continuing into the 1920s.
The company was successful in the United States and European markets, and attracted the attention of J.P. Morgan. Morgan helped the firm to combine most of the radiator manufactories in the US; in 1899 the company was re-incorporated under the same name, absorbing the St. Louis Radiator Manufacturing Company, and the Standard Radiator Manufacturing Company of Buffalo, and the radiator business of the Titusville Iron Company (Pennsylvania). After the death of Mr. Bond in 1902, Mr. Woolley, at age 39, succeeded him as President and Chairman of the Board.
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