Our History

Edwin Ford becomes Hartford City, Indiana's, first water department superintendent.

Edwin Ford builds the first Ford Meter Box in his basement workshop. Word of Edwin Ford’s meter box design spreads to neighboring towns by word-of-mouth.  On December 20, 1898, Edwin files a patent for his meter box and the Ford Meter Box Company is born.

Ford Meter Box publishes its first printed brochure promoting the meter box.

The Ford Meter Box Company moves to Wabash, Indiana, and becomes incorporated.  The young company operates in the basement of the Diehl Machines Company, along the Wabash River.

The Ford Meter Box Company outgrows space in the basement of Diehl Machines and moves to 410 South Carroll Street.

Edwin Ford visits New Orleans on a sales trip and designs the Ford® Crescent Box for the city.  The lid design evolved from a quick drawing made on a borrowed drawing table at the New Orleans water department.

Ford Meter Box experiences growth and becomes known as a specialty house, making products to solve specific customer problems.

Unable to manufacture items for waterworks due to material restrictions, Ford Meter Box begins to manufacture aircraft carburetor parts to support war efforts.

The government lifts material restrictions and Ford Meter Box resumes production of water works products. 

Having outgrown the location on South Carroll Street, Ford Meter Box purchases buildings at 775 Manchester Avenue in Wabash.

Ford Meter Box introduces the Ball Valve Curb Stop to the waterworks industry.  Prior to this, ball valves were used primarily in gas and industrial applications.

Ford Meter Box receives the President’s “E” award for excellence in exporting. The “E” Award is presented “to persons, firms, and organizations engaged in the marketing of products who make significant contributions to the expansion of the export trade of the United States.” 

Ford Meter Box purchases Superior Utility Products, a small California company that manufactures repair clamps, couplings, and fabricated steel fittings.  Ford begins manufacturing pipe products in Pell City, Alabama.

Ford Meter Box acquires Uni-Flange, a Jacksonville, Florida, company that manufactures pipe restraint products.  Uni-Flange operations move to the Pell City, Alabama, location.

Ford Meter Box launches its first website. This online resource provides an up-to-date reference for submittals and for catalog and distributor information.

Ford Meter Box first receives ISO 9001 certification in 1996 for its quality system.

Ford introduces Armorguard e-coat for iron products. This coating provides a durable epoxy armor that guards against corrosion. 

With over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, Ford Meter Box manufactures over 30,000 product variations in Pell City, Alabama, and Wabash, Indiana.  Ford is committed to providing customer solutions and working with its distribution partners throughout the waterworks industry.