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Sterling Faucet Company
In 1940, the Sterling Faucet Company, a pioneer in chrome plating and one of the leading manufacturers of plumbing brass goods, relocated from Newcomerstown, Ohio to Morgantown. Here it moved into the former facilities of the American Sheet and Tin Plate Mill in the city's Sabraton section. The company was owned and headed by company founder J.M. Beggs, who was assisted by his plant supervisor J. W. Ruby.
When J. M. Beggs retired from the business in 1943, J. W. Ruby took over the company. Under his leadership the company expanded rapidly and eventually became the world's largest independent manufacturer of brass plumbing goods. Sterling Faucet's industrial empire included plants in Morgantown; Reedsville, West Virginia; Tyler, Texas; and Oakland, Ontario. In addition, Sterling Faucet also had warehouse operations in Boston; Elwood, Indiana; Kansas City; and Los Angeles.
On Dec. 31, 1968, Pittsburgh-based Rockwell International purchased the Sterling Faucet Company from J. W. Ruby. The company became a new Rockwell subsidiary, named Sterling Division, which was initially headed by J. W. Ruby as president.
In 1984, the Sterling Faucet Company was acquired by the Kohler Company. Kohler closed down the plant in 1995.
Our museum staff and volunteers are currently planning an exhibit focusing on this former Morgantown company. If you have any Sterling Faucet-related items, please consider donating them to the museum.
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