Rex Martin, chairman emeritus of NIBCO, was in for a great surprise last Nov. 12 as he and other NIBCO staff, manufacturers reps, local politicians and other dignitaries stood outside in a chilly, but sunny morning to be among the first inside the company’s new museum located on its Elkhart, Indiana, headquarters campus.

What Rex and most everyone else in attendance didn’t know until a blue tarp was pulled from the side of the building was the official name of the museum: the Rex Martin NIBCO Interactive Museum.

“Our decision to build the NIBCO Interactive Museum and name it after my father is a tribute to his remarkable contributions to the plumbing industry and a continuation of a legacy that began with my great-great-grandfather in 1904,” said Ashley Martin, NIBCO’s president and CEO.

The company began renovating the building for the museum in 2023 in order to mark NIBCO’s 120th anniversary.

“The museum is not just about preserving our history,” Ashley added, “it’s about showcasing the profound impact we’ve had on the evolution of plumbing and our philanthropic efforts within the community.”

Inside the museum

Just a few steps inside the front door, there’s no doubt you’re in museum dedicated to plumbing and piping and flow control. The first item that draws a visitor’s attention is a 14-inch copper-fitting water fountain, which continuously pumps 50 gallons through a reservoir.

Around the walls of the 3,200-square-foot museum are dedicated spaces to highlight family leadership at NIBCO throughout the generations.

On Nov. 12, 1904, Casper Schweitzer founded the Northern Indiana Brass Foundry Works in Elkhart, originally making products such as castings, bushings and bearings. However, brass keys and mouthpieces for cornets manufactured by local musical instrument maker C.G. Conn were an important part of its early years. (An original valve for a cornet, a brass instrument similar to a trumpet, made at the foundry along with a 1906 cornet is alongside Schweitzer’s exhibit).

Casper is well known for withdrawing $1,200 from his personal savings to start the business. For the next two decades, the company operated without borrowing, paying workers and bills in cash.

The company didn’t enter the plumbing market until 1922 when it introduced brass ball cocks, trip levers and flush valves. Casper’s son-in-law Ross Martin had joined the company as its 7th employee in 1919. Later, Ross took charge of the business, by then known as NIBCO, and is credited with introducing copper plumbing to the U.S. in 1927 with the creation of the first practical copper fittings for residential applications.

At the time, copper pipe was common overseas in plumbing applications, while lead, steel and iron pipe were prevalent in the U.S. Ross introduced flared copper fittings and took his big idea to the American Brass Co. and Chase Brass & Copper. In order for these manufacturers to sell their copper tube, they needed fittings. Contracts were signed, and NIBCO had three ways to go to market: NIBCO fittings, Chase Fittings, and later Anaconda American Brass Fittings.

In 1937, Ross further revolutionized the industry by producing the first wrot copper fitting using a cold extrusion process, eliminating the need for foundry work. This innovation, developed with the Michigan College of Mines, surpassed existing brass casting techniques. Later that year, Ross developed solder joints for wrot copper fittings – dubbed NIBCO’s “Crown Jewels” – providing an alternative to threaded or flared connections.

Ross’ son, Lee Martin, followed suit and became NIBCO’s third president in 1957 and remained as CEO until 1986. Lee is credited with expanding the company, perfecting manufacturing processes, entering into the bronze and iron valve market and diversifying into the emerging plastic pipe fitting market in 1968 building the company’s first such plant in nearby Goshen, Indiana. Lee’s leadership took what was a $30 million company in the 1950s, turning it into a $250 million business by 1985.

Lee’s son, Rex Martin, joined the company in 1975 and served in a variety of leadership positions in marketing, manufacturing plant management and executive management. Rex served as president from 1986 to 2005; president and CEO from 1992 to 2018 and was elected chairman in 1995. In 2024, he was named chairman emeritus and continues to serve as an advisor and mentor to the executive leadership team.

Rex is known for advancing technology throughout NIBCO, namely implementing in 1997 the first successful launch in the U.S. of SAP software, a worldwide enterprise resource planning system. This breakthrough enabled the launch of several websites, advanced utilization of Electronic Data Interchange and Vendor Managed Inventory, and the introduction of a customer self-service website, NIBCOpartner.com.

Rex was also a staunch proponent for continuing to make NIBCO products in the U.S., at a time when many U.S. manufacturers were offshoring production.

Employees and community

The museum also underscores the company’s dedicated employees as well as the company’s dedication to its local community.

One exhibit, for example, highlights the 25 Year Club, which honors those associates with 25 years of employment at NIBCO. Further recognition comes at every five-year increment. As of 2024, 15 percent of its workforce is in the 25 Year Club with several reaching not only 50 years, but also a record 61 years.

And associates have good reason to stick around. The company was well ahead of its time when Ross started an associate stock purchase plan in 1924. Later, Rex built upon Ross’ work, implementing an ESOP and thereby secured NIBCO’s future as a privately held, associate-owned business.

Rex, along with his wife, Alice A. Martin, who passed away in 2017, served as the president and co-founder of the Rex and Alice A. Martin Foundation, a charitable foundation headquartered in Elkhart, which donates to major projects for children.

Over the years, the foundation has funded the NIBCO Water & Ice Park in downtown Elkhart, the Martin Skate Park I and Martin Skate Park II on the west and east sides of Elkhart, respectively.

Additionally, the foundation has contributed significantly to the renovation of the Lerner Theatre (where many of the attendees gathered the night before the museum’s grand opening for a dinner gala) and to the construction of Indiana University at South Bend facility, both in downtown Elkhart. Other projects include the purchase of the soon to be completed Children’s Garden at the Wellfield Botanical Gardens in Elkhart and, along with three other donors, the purchase of the Havilah Beardsley House on Main Street in Elkhart.

“We’re so thankful for NIBCO’s lifelong commitment to our community,” said Jess Elam, member engagement specialist at the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, during the museum’s opening. “When I think of Elkhart and some of the organizations and people who pour into our community, NIBCO and the families and individuals involved are at the top of my list.”

An exhibit highlights the work of Alice, who served in a variety of positions at NIBCO, including chief revenue officer, chief people officer and board posts. 

A champion of women’s rights, Alice also founded the Women’s Leadership Group at NIBCO; led the implementation of NIBCO’s Human Resources Sales Training Program; established the annual Associate Recognition of Excellence awards to recognize associates’ outstanding achievements; and created the company’s wellness program, investing in fitness centers and health fairs raising awareness of healthy practices across all company locations.

Since 2019, the American Supply Association has given its annual Alice A. Martin Woman of the Year award, which was created with the goal of recognizing women in the PHCP/PVF industry who have a record of significant accomplishment and embody the character of Alice; who exemplify traits of embracing education and encouraging inventive ideas; promoting/mentoring women within our industry; inspiring others through their work and example; participating in ASA Women in Industry Division activities; and being a bold leader that others emulate. 

Interactive displays

Visitors could easily spend a long afternoon stopping and reading all the exhibits. In addition to product information, the exhibits feature plenty of memorability, including old trade publication advertising, original wrot copper fittings shipped neatly in their branded cotton sacks and a heartfelt display featuring handwritten notes Lee sent to son Rex, back in the 1970s as Rex worked at a copper fitting plant in Colorado along with a booklet entitled, “The Magic of Selling,” written by Rex’s grandfather, Ross.

Other items, representing various aspects of the history of plumbing, as well as the history of NIBCO, exhibited throughout the museum, include the following:

Early foundry tools

Original crown jewels of NIBCO

Original early fittings including the first fitting from 1927 and early valves

Original product blueprints from the 1930s

Philanthropic contributions

Collectibles and promotions

“There’s three main purposes for the museum,” Ashley explained. “One is to tell the history of NIBCO, the second is to show where our products go and how we help protect the health of the nation, and the third is to highlight our manufacturing processes and our plants and be able to engage more people in plumbing and different trades.”

As the name suggests, the museum also features interactive displays that allow visitors to learn more about manufacturing processes and how products operate. An interactive educational kiosk features NIBCO locations, puzzles and entertaining games, and a theater area provides seating for visitors to learn more via video programs.

In back of the museum, the “Plumbing Discovery House” uncovers the intricate systems behind the walls that keep homes running smoothly. 

“By making it interactive, we aim to create an engaging, hands-on experience that appeals to all ages, especially students,” Ashley added. “We want to make learning about plumbing, its importance, and the career opportunities it offers both fun and inspiring.” 

The 8,800-square-foot building also includes space that will be used for meetings and training with customers, distributors and NIBCO associates. 

The museum is open to the public, and more information can be found by logging on to www.nibco.com/museum/. People interested in a private tour can make an appointment by contacting museum@nibco.com.

“It’s been an amazing process,” Ashley added. “It was better than I could’ve imagined, so my team did a wonderful job. It’s been great.”