The T&S Story

By the mid-1970s, T&S had grown substantially, having become the market leader in the restaurant industry and grown into other markets, including healthcare, laboratory and non-residential plumbing. The company employed about 200 and operations were spread across three buildings in New York.

It was time to find a new home in order to consolidate operations and set T&S up for further growth in the future. Founder George Theisen looked to the South, which was in the midst of a reindustrialization push. He initially considered Asheville, North Carolina, but was lured farther south by Max Heller, a legendary mayor of Greenville, South Carolina.

T&S opened its new 80,000-square-foot facility in Travelers Rest, just north of Greenville, in the fall of 1978 and officially began operations on Nov. 1. Theisen called it a “big dream come true.”

The T&S headquarters campus has undergone multiple expansions and renovations since then, and the company proudly still calls South Carolina home.

Since its founding, T&S has been committed to making the best plumbing products by using the most advanced processes, while protecting the health of workers and the environment. This commitment has garnered the company multiple awards, including the first of its two IndustryWeek Best Plants wins in 2014. The second such recognition was awarded in 2018.

In 1995, T&S first achieved ISO 9001 registration, a standard that demonstrates a manufacturer’s ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements and to practice continuous improvement. The certification has been maintained ever since.

Continuous investment in T&S manufacturing processes and equipment has resulted in safer and more efficient manufacturing, higher-quality products, and reduced environmental impact. T&S proudly surpassed 2 million labor hours without a lost-time accident in 2019.

As part of a $10 million expansion and renovation investment, T&S constructed a 53,000 square foot addition to its South Carolina headquarters and plant.

The expansion added new distribution space, as well as a training room, additional offices and other facility enhancements, to support the company's continued growth in the U.S. and around the world.

The full project, which is expected to be completed in 2024, will include other improvements around the Travelers Rest campus. Solar panels will be added to the roof of the new building to further corporate sustainability initiatives, and tertiary buildings will also undergo renovation.