American Cast Iron Pipe Company

This article is about the manufacturer, for the neighborhood, see Acipco-Finley.

The American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) is a Birmingham-based manufacturer of ductile cast iron pipe, electric-resistance steel pipe, spiral-welded steel pipe, fire hydrants, pumps, large valves and other industrial products. The company, with over 3,000 employees, is headquartered at 1501 31st Avenue North. Van Richey is president and CEO.

The company was founded by John Joseph Eagan in 1905 with $105,000 capital. It quickly became a pioneer in producing large-diameter iron pipes and concrete-lined pipe products using centrifugal casting methods. Eagan left the company to his employees after his death in 1924. Public spending on infrastructure helped the manufacturer survive the Great Depression. During World War II the company manufactured steel parts for warships, planes and tanks.

During the 1960s the company added water valves, gaskets and hydrants to its product line. It acquired the Waterous Company of Minnesota in the 1980s to expand its market share in that segment. In 1972 ACIPCO installed a new melting system with the world's largest cupola of its kind and switched from sand-spun casting to deLavaud metal molds. In the 1990s it opened an on-site scrap recycling facility. In 2000 the company engineered a new single-electrode DC furnace for melting iron.

The company operates divisions in Birmingham as well as Beaumont, Texas; Columbia, South Carolina; and St Paul, Minnesota

References

• Chapman, L (2005) ACIPCO The Golden Rule at Work Since 1905.