COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3494

Valves and Pipe Fittings, Nec

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1881–1985founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedMetallgesellschaft AGFoundedMetallgesellschaft AG
1881
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedThe Toro CompanyFoundedThe Toro Company
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedDaniel Industries, Inc.FoundedDaniel Industries, Inc.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedHarsco CorporationFoundedHarsco Corporation
1956
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedIMI plcFoundedIMI plc
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedInternational Telephone and Telegraph CorporationFoundedInternational Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
1968
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedWatts Industries, Inc.FoundedWatts Industries, Inc.
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Metallgesellschaft AG →
Active · founded 1881 · Germany
Metallgesellschaft AG (MG), based in the heart of Frankfurt since its foundation, is a conglomerate providing raw…
Metallgesellschaft AG →
Active · founded 1881 · Germany
Metallgesellschaft AG (MG), based in the heart of Frankfurt since its foundation, is a conglomerate providing raw…
The Toro Company →
Active · founded 1914
Long respected as a manufacturer of premium-priced lawnmowers, snowblowers, and irrigation systems, The Toro Company…
The Toro Company →
Active · founded 1914
Long respected as a manufacturer of premium-priced lawnmowers, snowblowers, and irrigation systems, The Toro Company…
Daniel Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Daniel Industries, Inc.
Daniel Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Daniel Industries, Inc.
Harsco Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
Harsco Corporation was formed in 1956 as the result of a merger between Harrisburg Steel Corporation, Heckett…
Harsco Corporation →
Active · founded 1956
Harsco Corporation was formed in 1956 as the result of a merger between Harrisburg Steel Corporation, Heckett…
IMI plc →
Active · founded 1962 · England
IMI plc--formed in 1962 under the name Imperial Metal Industries Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of British…
IMI plc →
Active · founded 1962 · England
IMI plc--formed in 1962 under the name Imperial Metal Industries Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of British…
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation →
Active · founded 1968
Once known primarily as a telecommunications company, the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT) has…
International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation →
Active · founded 1968
Once known primarily as a telecommunications company, the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT) has…
Watts Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Watts Industries, Inc., is one of the country's leading designers, manufacturers, and sellers of valves that regulate…
Watts Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Watts Industries, Inc., is one of the country's leading designers, manufacturers, and sellers of valves that regulate…
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