American Standard

American Standard is a well-known brand, primarily recognized for its plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and faucets. They also have a history in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Here's breakdown of what American Standard is about:

History and Evolution:

• Founded in 1875: The roots of American Standard go back to Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, which started producing cast iron plumbing products.
• Mergers and Name Changes: In 1929, Standard Sanitary merged with American Radiator Company to form the American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation. The name was later simplified to "American Standard" in 1967.
• Diversification and Divestitures: Over the years, the company expanded into various sectors, including automotive parts (WABCO) and HVAC (Trane).
• Breakup in 2007: American Standard Companies Inc. was broken up.
  • The automotive parts business spun off as WABCO Vehicle Control Systems.
  • The plumbing fixtures division was sold and became American Standard Brands.
  • The remaining HVAC business was renamed Trane (later acquired by Ingersoll Rand and now part of Trane Technologies).
• Current Ownership: American Standard Brands, the plumbing fixture company, is now a subsidiary of the Lixil Group (a Japanese global building products company) since 2013.

Current Products and Focus (American Standard Brands):

Today, American Standard Brands focuses on manufacturing and distributing bath and kitchen products for both residential and commercial customers.7 Their product lines include:

• Toilets: Known for innovations in flushing technology and water efficiency.
• Sinks: Bathroom and kitchen sinks.
• Faucets: A wide range of styles for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Bathtubs and Showers: Including whirlpool tubs and other wellness products.
• Accessories: Various bathroom and kitchen accessories.

Key Characteristics and Legacy:

• Innovation: American Standard has a long history of pioneering product improvements in plumbing, such as the one-piece toilet and tarnish-proof chrome finishes.¹³
• Quality and Dependability: They are known for producing durable and reliable products.
• Sustainability: They emphasize water-saving products and designs that aim to conserve resources.
• Widespread Presence: American Standard products are found in many homes, hotels, airports, and stadiums across North America and beyond.

In essence, American Standard, as it exists today (American Standard Brands), is a prominent manufacturer of plumbing fixtures with a rich history of innovation and a focus on quality and user-friendly design.