The T&S Story

T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of faucets, fittings and specialty products and accessories for the foodservice, industrial, commercial plumbing and laboratory markets. Founded in 1947, the company introduced the industry's first pre-rinse unit, followed by key innovations like the foot pedal valve over the next decade.

T&S products are highly acclaimed throughout the industry for being well-built, long-lasting and reliable. Rigorous testing and a focus on interchangeability have helped set T&S apart from the competition for more than 70 years.

Today, more than 200 employees manufacture products and serve customers from the company's main headquarters in South Carolina - with many more working behind the scenes at distribution facilities in California and China. In the last two decades, T&S has significantly increased its overseas presence, with representatives now selling products in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Canada, Japan, southeast Asia and South America.

1947

T&S Brass opened for business.
1950

T&S introduces its full line of foodservice plumbing products
1953

T&S introduces another industry first, the foot pedal valve
1956

T&S introduces the Lab-Flo line of laboratory service fittings
1957

T&S introduces the first-ever electronic glass-filling faucet
1960

T&S enters the commercial plumbing market with a line of faucets for institutional applications
1969

T&S updates its logo, modernizing its appearance and changing from a sharp-pointed triangle to one with rounded corners
1976

Long before the modern sustainability boom, T&S introduces its first low-flow spray valve, the B-0107-C
1978

Having outgrown its New York facilities, T&S relocates its headquarters and plant to a new 80,000 square-foot facility in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Operations officially begin November 1, 1978

Having outgrown its New York facilities, T&S relocates its headquarters and plant to a new 80,000 square-foot facility in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Operations officially begin November 1, 1978

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.
1985

T&S expands its operations to Rotterdam, Holland, setting the stage for future international growth

T&S expands its operations to Rotterdam, Holland, setting the stage for future international growth

In the late 1970s, T&S began to reach outside the borders of the United States, first expanding sales in the Middle East and Europe. That growth was solidified in 1985 with the introduction of a distribution center, as well as customer service and sales manager support, in Rotterdam, Holland, in 1985.
A distribution and customer service center opened in Simi Valley, California, in 1992, to help service more markets both in and outside the U.S.
Another distribution and manufacturing facility was introduced in Shanghai, China, in 2003, and a warehouse facility opened in Hong Kong in 2010.
With facilities the world over, T&S is able to quickly and reliably deliver its respected plumbing products to customers in Europe, Asia, Africa, India and the Americas.
1988

T&S expands the manufacturing facility and adds an internal waste treatment system to safely manage manufacturing waste
1989

T&S again updates its logo to the modern iteration featuring rounded corners and a serif font
1991

T&S is awarded South Carolina’s Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award for its innovative pollution prevention efforts and outstanding achievement in the reduction of hazardous waste
1992

Claude I. Theisen is named President of T&S. George I. Theisen becomes Chairman.
1992

T&S opens a new distribution center in Simi Valley, California
1992

T&S is named Manufacturer of the Year by Greenville Chamber of Commerce for its exemplary corporate citizenship, innovative production processes and positive management leadership
1995

T&S first achieves ISO 9001 registration. Certification has been maintained ever since, including the latest version, ISO 9001:2015
2000

equip line, offering value-priced plumbing alternatives, is launched
2002

E-store is launched
2002

Opening of the George I. Theisen Family YMCA, named in honor of T&S Brass founder George Theisen and created with the financial help and support of T&S and its associates
2003

T&S continues international expansion with the opening of a new distribution and manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China
2003

T&S enhances its educational role in the industry with the launch of T&S University
2006

T&S is named South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year (small/midsize category) by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
2007

T&S expands its headquarters campus with the addition of 13 acres of land and 61,000 square feet of warehouse space
2010

T&S opens warehouse facility in Hong Kong
2010

T&S redesigns its entire product line to meet new lead-free standards, several years before U.S. legislation mandates the change
2012

T&S adds new 4,400 square foot hands-on training facility
2013

Corporate headquarters undergo renovation
2014

T&S is named an IndustryWeek Best Plant, a recognition of its leadership in smart, world-class manufacturing

T&S is named an IndustryWeek Best Plant, a recognition of its leadership in smart, world-class manufacturing

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.
2015

T&S is again named South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
2016

T&S receives the Silver Crescent Award, South Carolina’s top manufacturing award
2017

T&S marks its 70th anniversary with a continued emphasis on sustainability, installing more than 600 solar panels that provide 15% of the facility’s total electrical usage
2017

T&S begins rollout of a product line revamp that introduces a new look across T&S products
2018

T&S named a Top Workplace in South Carolina
2018

T&S acquires Italian foodservice plumbing manufacturer Klarco
2018

T&S is again named an IndustryWeek Best Plant
2019

T&S awarded South Carolina manufacturing Transformation and Operations Excellence Award
2019

Innovative T&S DuraPull introduces pull-down activation with modern styling and industry-leading reliability
2020

T&S marks 10 years as a WaterSense partner, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and water conservation
2021

T&S WaterWatch, a water monitoring tool and software, wins prestigious National Restaurant Association Kitchen Innovations Award
2021

Expansion and renovation of T&S headquarters and plant adds 50,000 square feet of space

Expansion and renovation of T&S headquarters and plant adds 50,000 square feet of space

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.
2022

T&S Brass celebrates 75th anniversary
2022

T&S earns another National Restaurant Association Kitchen Innovations Award for the EasyInstall Hose Reel Cabinet
2023

T&S' UltraRinse, spray nozzle attachment for rinsing produce and thawing proteins, wins prestigious Kitchen Innovations Award from the National Restaurant Association