05/26/2011 - Dakota County Tribune Business Weekly

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Rail company to pay fines 5A Restaurant to rebuild after fire 40A Walmart to open in Burnsville 40A

AARON VEHLING ERIN JOHNSON JOHN GESSNER

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DATE26, ##, 2009 MAY 2011

VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 13

'DNRWD &RXQW\ 7ULEXQH Since 1884

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Waterous Company one of only 20 U.S. businesses operating since 1886 DANE SMITH

by Stacey Ackerman SPECIAL TO THE DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The next time you’re mowing the lawn or walking your dog around the neighborhood, stop and check out the fire hydrant (before your dog does, that is). Chances are you’ll find the word “Waterous� emblazoned on its side. Although the name of the company that made the Photo by Laura Adelmann hydrant is found all Waterous headquarters. over the U.S., few know that Waterous Company has been located in Dakota County Waterous – World Headquarters, for 125 years. 125 Hardman Avenue S., South St. Paul, phone: After 125 years the company (651) 450-5000. has faced many challenges. It has survived more disasters than the fire departments It is an industry leader and a large pump with a complete it services. The hardships have looked up to for its product in- air system. Waterous has also included a devastating fire in novations. recently developed an old-style 1894, World War I and The Waterous owns 45 percent of fire hydrant that replicates ones Great Depression. The company the market share in fire pumps from the 1930s and 1940s, but reports that it ranks among only in the U.S. and 50 percent of the the interior boasts the most ad20 U.S. businesses started in market share for fire hydrants in vanced technology. 1886 that are still in operation the U.S. and employs 250 peoWaterous began selling globtoday, including Coca-Cola, ple. ally in the 1930s. Avon and Sears-Roebuck. “We’re always trying to come In the mid-90s it hired overToday Waterous is a private- up with the next advancement,� seas representatives and set up ly-owned subsidiary of Ameri- said Mark Severin, Waterous’s dealer networks to expand its incan Cast Iron Pipe and still communications and marketing ternational exposure. It sells its produces and manufactures fire manager. products to parts of Europe and pumps and fire hydrants out of The company was recently Asia, including Vietnam and Inits South St. Paul facility. the first to produce and develop donesia.

In Brief

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FORUM

Former Gov. Elmer L. Andersen understood the link between government robust businesses. LORI 4A STURDEVANT CAPITOL COMMERCE

Eagan resident Tim Pawlenty travels to Des Moines, Iowa, to kick off his presidential campaign TIM 6A PAWLENTY CAPITOL COMMERCE

U.S. Sen. Al Franken addressed concerns about ‘tracking technology’ with domestic violence experts Eagan. AL 7A FRANKEN

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General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011

See Waterous, Page 11A

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Recently, Waterous added a director of international sales and marketing in an effort to grow its global presence, and sees South America as its biggest growth area. The company also hopes to increase its presence in China. “Our biggest challenge is the economy,� Severin said. “Fire departments get money from the state, and if budgets are cut, they’re not going after new fire trucks. We are seeing some improvement, but the industry lags about six months behind the economy.� Another challenge, according to Severin, is that fire hydrants are tied to the housing industry. New fire hydrants are typically put into new housing developments, and that slowed growth has affected Waterous’s sales. “We make our products too good,� Severin said. “Our fire pumps last 40 to 50 years, but most fire stations replace them after 10 years,� he said. Despite the challenging economy and housing market, Waterous officials say it will persevere, just as it did numerous times before.

Common-sense majority is f ighting and winning its case for a mix of tax increases and budget cuts. 4A

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