The Many Unions of Standard Sanitary – Now American Standard

The Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company made history in Pittsburgh with early porcelain bathroom fixtures . Theodore Ahrens, Jr. was its first president. He helped run the company until 1934.

Summary

Standard Sanitary resulted from what today would be called a “roll-up” of several Pittsburgh area companies. James West Arrott and Francis Torrance pulled off this feat. They had studied European enamel porcelain being rendered onto bathroom fixtures.

In 1875, the company grew by combining with the Ahrens and Ott Manufacturing Company. It began in 1865 by Theodore Ahrens, Sr. and Henry Ott. Ahrens and Ott started as a plumbing company, but it was making fixtures by the time of the merger.

By 1899, the company had merged with the Dawes and Myler Manufacturing Company, which began in 1887 by Edward L. Dawes and William A. Myler. Dawes and Myler was a manufacturer of enameled cast-iron bathtubs. The Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company became a major producer of enameled cast-iron bathroom fixtures.

In 1929, the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company formed a partnership with the American Radiator Co. of New York City under the name American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation. Later, the name shortened to American-Standard.

American Standard is still in business today and is a major manufacturer of bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, and heating and cooling systems.

Chain of Ownership

The ownership of the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company changed several times over the course of its history. The company started in 1875 by a group of investors, including James West Arrott and Francis Torrance. Arrott and Torrance had both learned about the enamelization of porcelain in Europe. They brought this technique to America, and Standard Sanitary became a major producer of enameled cast-iron bathroom fixtures.

In 1899, Standard Sanitary merged with the Dawes and Myler Manufacturing Company. Dawes and Myler was a manufacturer of enameled cast-iron bathtubs, and the merger created a major player in the bathroom fixture industry.

In 1929, Standard Sanitary merged with the American Radiator Company to form American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation. American Radiator was a major manufacturer of heating and cooling systems, and the merger created a diversified company. It could offer a full range of products for the home.

American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation was renamed American Standard in 1967. American Standard is still in business today. It is a major manufacturer of bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, and heating and cooling systems.

Products

Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company’s most popular products included:

Bathtubs: The company’s bathtubs featured enameled cast-iron, and they were available in a variety of styles and sizes.

Toilets: Standard Sanitary’s toilets also contained enameled cast-iron, and they were available in a variety of styles and flushing mechanisms.

Sinks: Standard Sanitary’s sinks featured enameled cast-iron or china, and they were available in a variety of styles and sizes.

Styles and Levels of Quality

In addition to these products, Standard Sanitary also manufactured a variety of other bathroom fixtures, including shower stalls, faucets, and accessories. The company’s products stood for quality and durability. They were popular with both consumers and builders. Each line had three models: Standard, Ideal, and Majestic. These models represented different prices, luxury, and durability.

Standard Sanitary’s products were popular with both consumers and builders. They had stylish designs, and they helped to set the standard for bathroom fixtures in the early 20th century.

They used high-quality materials in its products. There was a rigorous quality control process. Standard Sanitary’s products also achieved a long lifespan. They often endured from generation to generation.

As for their stylish designs, the company’s designers were always looking for new ways to make bathroom fixtures more attractive. They often incorporated the latest trends in fashion and design. Standard Sanitary’s products helped to set the standard for bathroom fixtures in the early 20th century. They are still considered to be some of the most stylish and well-made bathroom fixtures in history.

Facing the Competition

Here are some of the specific features that distinguished Standard Sanitary products from the competition:

Quality: Standard Sanitary used high-quality materials in its products, including enameled cast-iron, china, and brass. The company also had a rigorous quality control process, which ensured that its products met high standards of quality.

Durability: The company’s products achieved a long lifespan. The company’s bathtubs, toilets, and sinks were often passed down from generation to generation.

Style: Their designers were always looking for new ways to make bathroom fixtures more attractive. The company’s products often incorporated the latest trends in fashion and design.

As a result of these factors, Standard Sanitary products were popular with both consumers and builders. The company’s products were known for their quality, durability, and stylish designs, and they helped to set the standard for bathroom fixtures in the early 20th century.