For 100 years, Rheem has been a leader in product innovation.
And the best part is we're just getting started. Now, as we celebrate all that we've accomplished together, we look towards the future of air and water. To what's next. To remaining true to our values, while working with our customers to create a globally connected and forward-looking vision.
As we move forward through the many opportunities, changes and challenges of the next 100 years, we will continue to follow these three guiding principles.
From the roaring '20s to the 2020s, see how Rheem got its start, and capitalized on opportunities to innovate and move the entire industry forward.
Rheem Manufacturing Co. was established in Emeryville, California by brothers, William, Richard and Donald Rheem. Rheem's original focus was galvanizing steel drums and other metal products.
Read MoreI want you to picture this... You are smack in the middle of the Roaring Twenties, the world is still recovering from WW1. You find yourself positioned along the coast in an early developing area of California (known as Emeryville). The area is seeing the largest period of growth and industrial boom the region has ever seen. The new California dream is no longer gold, it's black gold (crude oil).
You have just now envisioned what the founders of what would come to be known as Rheem Manufacturing were seeing and this is Where it all started.
In case you didn't know, in 1925 the three Rheem brothers (William, Richard and Donald) created the Co-Partnership of Pacific Galvanizing Company. This first essential business was galvanizing steel products, nothing more, nothing less. Within the following year, the Rheem Manufacturing Co. would be born.
Rheem Manufacturing Company was incorporated in January 1930, boasting a broader product line including boilers and tanks, and a plant in Richmond, California.
Through its acquisition of the John Wood Manufacturing Company, Rheem began manufacturing automatic gas storage water heaters—a focus that would continue to present day.
Rheem expanded to the East Coast, moving the Flange Division to Philadelphia. Later that year, the expansion continued with the acquisition of Meuer Steel Barrel Company in Newark—achieving full barrel production by the end of 1937.
Rheem opened its first plant overseas in Sydney, Australia, manufacturing shipping containers and household appliances. This was a time of expansion with Rheem opening offices in the RCA building in New York City and opening plants in New Orleans, Chicago, Houston and Cleveland.
Read MoreTo those who may not know, Rheem Manufacturing was born on the west coast of the United States in Emeryville California. The young company concentrated its first many years in operation with its manufacturing facilities being embedded in and around the main Emeryville operation in California. The below story is the humble but honest story of Rheem's expansion to the east coast and first eastern production facilities.
In early 1937, Rheem Manufacturing decided that it was time to have a manufacturing presence on the east coast of the states. It was slated that the "Rheem Flange Division" (of Richmond CA) would be a suitable division/ facility to relocate. Uprooted and moved some 2,500 miles, the flange division would open its door on April 20th, 1937, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Relocated to a three-story residential building in Philadelphia, the site was operating for nearly the next straight year (day and night). At the time, barrel flanges would be manufactured about 10 miles away and transported to the site. Once arrived, the flanges would be cadmium plated in the living room fireplace, inspected in the dining room, packaged and shipped out of the front door. It was noted that employee "Pinky Wallstrom" would keep the cobble stone streets warm with all of the running between the production facility and this site.
On August 1st, 1937, Rheem would continue its east coast expansion by acquiring the Meuer Steel Barrel Company of Newark NJ. Rheem wasted no time and instantly began overhauling this facility by replacing equipment and transforming its operations into a straight-line assembly process. The Newark plant, named Rheem Meuer Division would start full barrel production by the end of 1937.
On January 8th, 1938, all contents of the manufacturing, plating and packaging sites in Philadelphia were transferred into the newly revamped Newark NJ plant. The Newark plant would simply absorb the processes of the Rheem Flange Division into its operations and the division would later be reduced to an internal department within the manufacturing facility.
Rheem continued opening new plants to produce water heaters, boilers and tanks—officially becoming the largest manufacturer of steel shipping containers and water heaters in the US.
Rheem ventured into the soft water appliances market, leading the charge from its Chicago division.
Read MoreRheem soft water appliances started making an appearance back in the early to mid-1940s. Dr. R.M. Thomas, the Division President was noted in many trade articles and books discussing the advantages of water softening and purification on behalf of the company. Dr. Thomas also brought a wealth of knowledge from his prior positions within the company including his time working for Rheem's Research Products Inc based in Baltimore. By 1957 the Rheem line of soft water appliances had become so popular that some people were even selling fraudulent (inferior) product that was badged as manufactured by Rheem. Several arrests would be made that year due to these fraudulent products and false claims of medical benefits that were made by deceptive salesmen that had no connection with Rheem MFG. For close to two decades Rheem soft water products could be found available for purchase on the consumer appliance market. But the story does not end there. Not to disappear forever, the new line of Rheem water softening products can be found today for purchase exclusively at The Home Depot.
Rheem purchased the Fraser line of gas furnaces and winter air conditioners foreseeing a future for central heating and air conditioning systems. Rheem also installed automatic conveyorized galvanizing equipment at various plants, improving the quality and lifespan of boilers, tanks and containers.
Rheem entered the residential gas stove market with the acquisition of the James Graham Manufacturing Company, becoming the first to supply all basic household temperature control needs: space heating, water heating, cooking and refrigeration. In 1956, Rheem also acquired Standard Enameling Co., Western Stove Co., and the Western-Holly Appliance Co., and merged all four into Wedgewood-Holly Division of Rheem Manufacturing. For the next three years, they would sell the Rheem Royal, Wedgewood and Western-Holly stoves until Rheem sold the division to the Welbilt Stove Corporation.
Read MoreThe below strategic moves beginning in 1951, made Rheem Manufacturing the very first gas appliance maker to supply all four basic household needs: space heating, water heating, cooking and refrigeration.
1951, Rheem announced that they were entering into the residential gas stove market with their latest acquisition of the James Graham Manufacturing Company of Newark California. Their impressive line of Wedgewood brand stoves was a major seller in the home appliance market across the U.S.
Released to the public in 1953, the Rheem Automatic, gas fired clothes dryer, included several special features that would find their way back into the public eye some 60 years later. Many public sales ads for the Rheem dryer even offered a $76 reduction of cost if you brought in your old clothesline.
In 1955 Richmond became a new Rheem name and Rheem was now in the business of porcelain plumbing fixtures. Within the merger, Rheem Mfg. would absorb the offices, and all four Richmond manufacturing plants located in Uniontown PA, Monaca PA, New Castle DE and Metuchen NJ.
The 1950s were tough years for the plumbing industry as conventional white plumbing fixtures were falling out of demand and the world was moving in the direction of pastel-colored bath fixtures. Rheem and Richmond had to act and act fast to develop an all-new pastel line of plumbing products. The new pastel plumbing line would soon be released with colors consisting of Misty Lilac, Bermuda Coral, Fern Green, Azure Blue, Tropic tan, Canary yellow and Quaker Gray. With just a few years in production the pastel product line accounted for 1/3 of total Rheem-Richmond sales and production.
Later in 1956, Rheem would continue its expansion into the residential stove market by acquiring the Standard Enameling Co, Western Stove Company and the Western-Holly appliance company. With these acquisitions, Rheem merged all four companies into Wedgewood-Holly Division of Rheem Manufacturing.
Rheem introduced the "Coppermatic" water heater featuring an extraordinary durable tank consisting of a copper shell within a conventional steel tank and offering a 10-year warranty.
Rheem acquired U.S. Spring and Bumper Co and announced the creation of its new division "Rheem Automotive" with a state-of-the-art manufacturing site. Rheem was the sole west coast supplier of springs, bumpers, and other parts and accessories to both Ford and Chevrolet until 1961 and even produced thousands of miles of "Rheem Beam" Highway Guard Rails.
Read MoreIn April 1954, Rheem Manufacturing Company "who was always looking to add to the corporate portfolio in the field of steel products" acquired the business of U.S. Spring and Bumper Company, Los Angeles California. The U.S. Spring and Bumper Company was a highly profitable manufacturing company that had been in the steel industry for the prior 26 years. The company supplied automotive parts and accessories to the automotive industry along the west coast. In the later months of 1955, Rheem would announce the creation of its new division "Rheem Automotive" and its plans to merge the two companies. Rheem would also announce plans to start building a state-of-the-art manufacturing site for the newly created division in Fullerton California. This would relocate the current manufacturing site of U.S. Spring and Bumper from Los Angeles to Fullerton California. To help fund this new facility construction, in early 1956 Rheem sold off the rights, machinery and sale locations of the Farm Tool and Agriculture Segment of Rheem Automotive. By the middle of 1956, the newly completed $7,000,000 Manufacturing site was dedicated and production was up and running. This new site consisted of 400,000 plus manufacturing square footage, over 100,000 square feet of outside storage and dock areas, and was nestled in the middle of a 59-acre tract of land. Towards the end of 1956, the original plant designer James H. Van Dyke received the Industry Designer of The Year award for his design of this plant and the plant itself was chosen as one of the country's top 10 factories out of 1,000 studied.
Rheem Automotive produced automotive parts and accessories and was the sole supplier on the west coast to both Ford and Chevrolet for springs, bumpers, other parts and accessories from 1954-1961 and produced thousands of miles of "Rheem Beam" Highway Guard Rails. Unfortunately, in December 1961 it was announced that production would be halted as of January 1962. The stop in production was said to be due to the growing trend of automotive manufacture's making their own parts in house. In later years, the Fullerton Plant was sold to Aerojet General Corp for an undisclosed amount.
Attached images show the newly completed manufacturing site of Rheem Automotive, a scene from inside the bumper press area of the plant and a section of "Rheem Beam" guardrails being installed on a section of highway.
Rheem released the Rheemglas water heater tank liner, the leading solution to eliminate corrosion and rust from the internal liner of a water heater. It was the greatest boon in the industry to extending the water heater tank life. Interestingly, the Frit and multi-step application process would later be introduced into the Rheem furnace line as well, to coat and protect the heat exchanger and combustion chamber.
After three years of focused research and development, Rheem launched the "Rheemaire" central air conditioning system, aiming to lower typical installation and operational costs. Ultimately the system reduced home cooling costs by 30 to 50% and was called, "the most revolutionary air conditioning development in 15 years".
In a joint development project with Thornton Canning Co. and Thermovac Inc., Rheem entered the commercial canning market with 'Sterile Pack', a bulk packaging solution to seal and ship food in 55-gallon containers—removing the need for additional additives or refrigeration. By 1960, Rheem would own Thermovac Inc. / "Sterile Pack" solution and would continue to remain in the food packaging industry until 1981.
Read MoreSterile Pack, Rheem Container Division, Thornton Canning and Thermovac Inc. Just another Rheem first.
"For the first time, food concentrates are being successfully vacuum packaged in large steel drums for shipment around the world without the use of additional additives, preservatives or even refrigeration".
Announced to the world August 1958, the new commercial canning process named "Sterile Pack" has ended many years of package research for the food supply, packaging and distribution industries. The new "Sterile Pack" design has finally provided a bulk packaging solution in which foods can be sealed, stored and shipped in 55-gallon containers all while cutting out the need for additional additives, preservatives or even refrigeration. This new packaging design was a joint development project involving Rheem Manufacturing Co, Thornton Canning Co. and Thermovac Inc. of Stockton California.
Rheem Manufacturing would create a drum that was electrolytic tin plated, double seamed and designed to withstand the extreme pressures of the vacuuming process; Thermovac designed the machinery that would sterilize, fill and vacuum seal the drums and Thornton provided the canning manufacturing facility. As of the end of August 1958 over thirty food canners, manufactures and distributors across the nation had already been utilizing the new bulk packaging method with remarkable success.
In early 1959, the Thornton Canning facility would go up for sale and become part of the California Canners and Growers Co-Op. At the time of its purchase the "Sterile Pack" process and on-site equipment remained as property of Rheem Manufacturing and Thermovac Inc.
In mid 1959, Rheem would make a major financial investment into Thermovac Inc. (At this time, Rheem had already entered the food packaging industry with its purchase of another company earlier in 1965). With this new investment and prior investment in 1965, Rheem was now providing packaging material, packaging machinery, designing packaging machinery, providing full turnkey packaging processes and contract machinery/ supply programs for both the food and chemical industries.
By October 1960, Rheem would solely own Thermovac Inc. and obtain all rights to the "Sterile Pack" packaging design and process, some Thermovac assets would be transferred to Rheem's production plant in Richmond and other assets would be sold off to interested parties. Rheem Manufacturing would continue to remain in the field of the food packaging industry until deciding to get out of the business completely in 1981.
Rheem and a group of leading scientists and engineers formed Rheem Semiconductor Co., manufacturing transistors, diodes, vacuum rectifier tubes and other semiconductors for the electronics industry. At its peak, Rheem was said to be the largest silicon transistor manufacturer around the globe.
Read MoreIn March 1959, eight senior employees of Fairchild Semiconductor "FC&I" left the company to create the first spinout company for semiconductor production. Rheem MFG and a group of the nation's leading scientists and engineers in the semiconductor field formed Rheem Semiconductor Corporation. The company developed/ manufactured transistors, diodes, vacuum rectifier tubes and other semiconductors for the electronics industry. By November 1960 the semiconductor company Raytheon took over daily operation for Rheem and eventually purchased all rights to the Division by 1961. At its peak, the plant was believed to have been the largest silicon transistor manufacture in the world.
Rheem purchased the water heater business of Ruud Manufacturing Company, gaining access to a broader line of commercial products and distribution network, and a second respected brand name in water heating.
Rheem introduced the "Demand-O-Matic" Gas Water Heater with a thermostat that automatically increased BTU input as hot water demand increased—automatically heating water up to 61% faster than standard water heaters.
This year Rheem was also the first manufacturer to offer bathroom fixtures in pastel, floral designs by renowned designer, Ellen McCluskey, best known for her work at Waldorf-Astoria, The Plaza and Regency hotels in New York City.
The Rheem Kee Bass was launched to market in the Music Trades Magazine, rolling out a new sound to the music industry that would go down in the keyed instrument history books. Rheem's organ program developed other new industry-leading designs, including an all-electric piano and rhythm box.
Read MoreThe brainchild and design engineer (Doug Moore) explained, "The Kee Bass plays like a piano, flip a switch and it sounds like an electric organ, now flip another switch and add some distortion, decay and you get its iconic sound which closely resembles an electric bass guitar."
Unfortunately, the Rheem Organ research program came to a sudden stop after the divisions Vice President, General Manager and major project supporter, O.X. Pitney, was killed in a personal plane crash. Rheem's organ program developed many new industry-leading breakthrough designs, including an all-electric piano, the Kee Bass and rhythm box. With the end of the organ program, these designs were left to the open market for replication by other manufacturers (many similar products can be found in the market after Rheem's departure).
Today, the Rheem Kee Bass can occasionally be found in the open market, but they will always be known to "add a little funk to your music".
You can see a prime example of the Kee Bass in the 1980 music video "Whip it" by the music group Devo.
As the details of the arrangement are not public knowledge, Rheem Manufacturing had partnerships with Califone and Roberts Electronics' dating back to 1959.
By 1960, Rheem Manufacturing wholly owned Califone and held major shares of Roberts Electronics and by the next year Rheem would acquire all rights to Roberts Electronics. Rheem Califone lead the field of language instruction equipment and teaching equipment for the military, public schools, colleges and overall industry training. The Roberts brand lead the field of tape recorders, record players, microphones and about any type of music equipment available to the market.
In 1964 Rheem announced that it was going to merge its current Rheem Califone Division and Roberts Electronics Inc into the "Califone-Roberts Electronics'" a Division of Rheem Manufacturing.
In April of 1972 it was announced that Rheem would drop the Roberts line of product and by May of the following year the Califone division of Rheem Manufacturing was sold to Western Audio-Visual Systems. The company was later renamed Califone International which is still an active company today.
Rheem purchased the National Heater Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, strengthening its commercial line of heating and cooling units.
Read MoreRheem Manufacturing developed partnerships with Califone and Roberts Electronics dating back to 1959.
By 1960, Rheem Manufacturing wholly owned Califone and held major shares of Roberts Electronics and by the next year Rheem would acquire all rights to Roberts Electronics. Rheem Califone led the field of language instruction equipment and teaching equipment for the military, public schools, colleges and overall industry training. The Roberts brand lead the field of tape recorders, record players, microphones and about any type of music equipment available to the market.
In 1964, Rheem announced that it was going to merge its current Rheem Califone Division and Roberts Electronics Inc into the "Califone-Roberts Electronics'" a Division of Rheem Manufacturing.
Rheem opened a heating and cooling plant and related offices in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Rheem formed two divisions—an Air Conditioning Division in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a Water Heater Division in Chicago, Illinois. Over the next five years, the Air Conditioning Division opened two more plant locations to meet increasing demand.
Rheem acquired Revco, Inc., and began offering food freezers for home and scientific use under the Revco brand, among other private labels.
After adding heat pumps to its product line in the mid-1970s, Rheem introduced a full range of "New Day" heat pumps, as well as a new line of high-efficiency central heating and air conditioning equipment.
The Rheem Water Heating Division launched its first heat pump water heater—delivering efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
Rheem introduced the Richmond line of gas and electric water heaters to the retail market, targeting DIY customers who buy at hardware and home improvement stores.
Rheem entered the pool heater and commercial boiler market with the acquisition of Raypak, Inc.
Rheem became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paloma Industries of Japan—one of the world's leading producers of gas appliances. This same year Rheem began manufacturing the Marathon water heater featuring a plastic tank and lifetime warranty as a part of a joint venture with Water Heater Innovations, Inc. Rheem also purchased the WeatherKing brand from Addison Products Company, broadening its distribution network across US markets.
Rheem broke ground on its water heating operations plant in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Rheem was the first to adapt scroll compressor technology to its entire line of air conditioning products, providing superior performance and efficiency. That same year, the company formed Rheem South America, manufacturing storage water heaters and room heaters.
Rheem launched the Professional Series of residential gas water heaters, the "Universal" line of commercial gas water heaters and a commercial electric water heater—offering the most effective conversion capabilities in the industry at the time.
Rheem became the first manufacturer to produce a 14 SEER HVAC unit.
Rheem began supplying The Home Depot with a line of water heaters under the GE brand.
Rheem opened a new plant in Mexicali, Mexico.
Rheem moved its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia.
Rheem was the first to launch a hybrid heat pump water heater, which was more than twice as efficient as standard electric water heaters. Rheem also began selling heating and cooling products at The Home Depot.
Rheem demonstrated the future of integrated air and water technology, unveiling its new brand identity and tagline, revamped product design across air and water, and numerous redesigned products.
Rheem transitioned to selling Rheem branded water heaters at The Home Depot.
Rheem added Commercial Refrigeration to its product portfolio with the acquisition of Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG). Over the next three years, Rheem fleshed out the water heating portfolio, acquiring CEM S.A., a Chilean water heating company, Peter Cocks and Eemax.
Rheem unveiled the EcoNet® Smart Thermostat, designed to optimize the performance of communicating HVAC and water heating systems, including intelligent management features for both homeowners and contractors.
Rheem continued its global expansion with the acquisition of Termas Bryant—based in Peru. Rheem also furthered its European expansion by acquiring the IBC brand along with Intergas, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency, residential gas boilers and water heaters. Based out of the Netherlands, this was a strategic move to meet demands in Europe and additional markets worldwide.
Rheem launched its global sustainability initiative, A Greater Degree of Good®, committing to bold 2025 goals across products, processes and people.
Rheem was deemed an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic, supplying critical equipment to homes and businesses around the world. HTPG developed equipment to maintain specific temperatures for vaccine storage, and along with Eemax, Rheem donated handwashing stations to schools while Rheem China installed handwashing stations in schools and other public spaces.
Rheem acquired Friedrich Air Conditioning, an industry leader in high-end room air conditioning solutions, expanding its presence in the hospitality and multi-family segments of the market.
Rheem acquired DEJONG, a leading, independent manufacturer and supplier of stainless-steel hot water tanks, based in the Netherlands. This strategic move accelerated expansion for the European manufacturer and expanded Rheem's global product offerings.
Rheem Europe extended its presence to Germany with the acquisition of MHG Heiztechnik GmbH, a manufacturer and supplier of sophisticated space heating and domestic hot water heating systems. This gave Rheem Europe a market channel for sustainable solutions—specifically hybrid and all-electric heat pumps.
Rheem announced its plan to acquire Nortek Global HVAC (NGH), a leading manufacturer of air conditioning products. NGH's unique offerings, operational capabilities and market channels provided a strong complement to Rheem's growing air and water businesses.
Visit our interactive multimedia ebook that provides a more immersive look at the last 100 years of Rheem.
felt the energy of the Roaring Twenties and took a gamble by setting up a company to galvanize steel drums and other metal products on the West Coast. When the Great Depression hit, the brothers approached the challenge with the same strategies that would define Rheem throughout its unfolding history: long-term thinking, vital partnerships, a deep understanding of customer needs and pioneering products to meet those needs.
journeyed to the US from Norway in the late 1800s to work as a mechanical engineer. While employed, he developed the first automatic water gas storage heater—which earned him a Gold Medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. He left his job, bought the rights to his invention and started his own company. The pioneering Ruud earned several patents in his lifetime. The Ruud Manufacturing Company was acquired by Rheem in 1959, and Ruud became a flagship brand for Rheem.
founded Friedrich in 1883 in San Antonio, Texas. As an innovator and inventor, Ed recognized a need for food preservation and developed one of the first refrigeration systems. By 1950, Friedrich had become one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment. Capitalizing on its reputation as an industry leader, the company expanded into room air conditioners. Rheem acquired Friedrich Air Conditioning in 2021, making Friedrich the company's third flagship brand.
founded Raypak as a garage start-up in 1947 to produce innovative and efficient boilers and water heaters. By 1950, the company had opened its first manufacturing facility in El Monte, California. Raypak's copper fin design fueled rapid growth, helping it become a top manufacturer of energy-efficient boilers, water heaters and pool heaters. Raypak became part of the Rheem Family of Brands in 1985, significantly expanding our product offerings.
founded Russell Coil Co. in 1946 and soon developed the first machine to allow variable fin spacing on a coil. The All-Temp Low Profile Unit Cooler created in 1948 quickly became an industry standard. In 1967, Russell Coil Co. was acquired by Ardco Glass Company. Russell became a division of the Heat Transfer Products Group division. After more than 60 years of innovation, Russell joined the Rheem Family of Brands in 2013, expanding our product range into commercial refrigeration.
See how Rheem's employees, strategic partners and communities proudly celebrate this historic milestone around the globe.
Rheem has always pursued innovation–that's why we have accumulated over 500 patents and groundbreaking industry firsts. Here are just a few highlights of how we've helped shape the air and water industries.
1931
Rheem began producing automatic storage water heaters in 1931.
1950
Rheem developed the "Rheemcote" lithography process that allowed the use of multicolor designs and messages on containers.
1954
Rheem develops "Glass Lining" for water heaters, which improved performance and longevity.
1956
"Rheemaire" central heating and air conditioning is introduced –ultimately the system reduced home cooling costs by 30 to 50% and was called, "the most revolutionary air conditioning development in 15 years".
1968
Rheem introduces the Imperial gas furnace in 1968.
1979
Rheem add heat pumps to its product line in 1979.
1994
Rheem was the first to adapt scroll compressor technology for air conditioners, providing superior performance and efficiency.
1998
Rheem launches the patented Modulating 90 Plus gas furnace, setting a new standard for efficiency.
2003
Rheem introduces the Guardian FVIR System, the industry's most protective Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistance system available for gas water heaters.
2010
Rheem debuts a condensing tankless water heater and the first integrated heating and water system with one manufacturer and one warranty.
2014
Rheem introduces EcoNet®, an exclusive integratedenergymanagement solution utilizing Wi-Fi connectivity.
We continue to raise the bar on product reliability, performance and efficiency, innovating air and water solutions that drive our industry forward.
You simply can't look towards the future without considering sustainability. As a global leader, we strive to amplify our positive impact by integrating sustainability in everything we do—from activating our employees to designing our products with intent, greening our manufacturing, engaging our partners and serving our communities around the world.
In celebration of this incredible milestone, Rheem commissioned this short-form documentary to give voice to the ideas, people and moments that brought us from humble beginnings in Emeryville, CA, to where we are today.
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