Bradley Corporation celebrates its 95th Anniversary in 2016.
Bradley Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories, is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, the company hosted a learning tour of its manufacturing plant for high school students that are enrolled in the Design Engineering Manufacturing (DEM) Center in Wisconsin.
“Bradley’s way of celebrating
Bradley’s machinists demonstrated equipment and operations, and discussed product materials as well as the production process.
our company’s rich heritage is by reaching out into the community and saluting these bright students, which represent the next generation of design engineering and manufacturing professionals,” said Bryan Mullett, incoming chief executive officer at Bradley.
Mullett represents the fifth generation of the Mullett family ownership and leadership of Bradley, and is one of the founders of the DEM Centre initiative.
In June, he was promoted to president/chief executive officer for the company following the retirement of Michael Sipek, the CEO and leader of Bradley since 2007.
Bradley product categories include: washfountains, multi-station lavatory systems, terreon solid surface products, emergency eyewash fixtures and drench showers, electric tankless heaters, patient care lavatory units, commercial faucets, commercial and group showers, washroom accessories, solid plastic locker systems and washroom partitions.
ABOUT BRADLEY
In 1917, Harry Bradley (founder of Allen Bradley Corporation)was investigating a way to reduce the floor space required for a bank of sinks, and to help workers wash their hands quicker so as not to waste all their break time standing in lines.
By 1918, “washfountain” prototypes were created that allowed multiple users to wash up quickly. Harry Bradley patented the concept in 1919. When word spread of the revolutionary product, Bradley decided to sell the patent in order to concentrate on his own business. In 1921, The Bradley Washfountain Company opened for business with Gustav Grossenbach, Louis Schlesinger, and Howard A. Mullett as founding partners.
In 1927, Howard A. Mullett assumed the secretary role, and in 1928 became president of Bradley. After moving through the sales ranks, his son, Howard G. Mullett became president in 1953. By 1980, grandson Donald H. Mullett assumed the president’s role and today, is the company’s CEO. In the fourth Mullett generation, two of Mullet’s sons hold key positions in the company.
The Classic Washfountain
The early circular washfountain, which sprayed water upward from the bottom of the bowl, was constructed as one piece. In addition to being sold for traditional industrial hand wash use, the fixtures were also used for flower planters, aquariums, rock terrariums, and even as fresh fruit produce displayers. The first washfountains, were hand operated. The first foot-operated models were introduced in 1925. This same year saw the introduction of the semi-circular washfountain.
Due to user complaints of getting soaked by water surges, the upward water discharge was redesigned in the early 1930s to feature a down pointing sprayhead. Management also designed a two piece bowl to make the product easier to ship and install.
In the company’s first year, 15 washfountains were sold. In 1922 the company sold 94 units. By 1989 the company was averaging 7000 units annually.
