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Wheatland Tube Company has been a part of the American industrial landscape for more than a century, providing quality pipe and tube products since 1877. As one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of continuous weld and electric weld tube products, Wheatland continues to set the standard for the pipe and tube industry.
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1877 - Wheatland Tube Company roots date back to 1877 when John Maneely, an enterprising Irish immigrant, launched a pipe distribution business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania selling pipe, valves and fittings. Today, John Maneely Company (JMC) serves as the parent company for both Wheatland Tube Company and Seminole Tubular Products.
1920’s - John Maneely Company grows to become one of the largest independent distributors of steel and iron pipe on the East Coast. Edward Maneely, John’s youngest son, selects the town of Wheatland, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, as the site of the company’s first plant. The site is ideally situated for manufacturing pipe. A side rail extends from the building to the main line. The town has a ready and willing workforce, the area has an abundance of raw materials, and geographically, the location is close to major industrial markets.
1930's - Wheatland Tube Company makes its first piece of pipe in 1931. Wheatland Tube Company is organized as a subsidiary of JMC for the purpose of manufacturing steel pipe.
1940's - In 1944, Wheatland Tube Company begins production of couplings, an important line extension developed specifically for customer convenience.
1960's - The 1960’s ushers in a decade of improvements and expansion for the company, with upgrades in manufacturing methods leading to additions to the product line.
In 1963, Wheatland Tube eliminates the "tong and bell" method of manufacturing pipe, used since 1930, and installs a new Aetna Standard Mill. Wheatland's new Aetna Continuous Weld Mill expands the company’s capacity to produce new product. Rigid conduit is introduced, adding to the “bread and butter" standard pipe.
By the late 60’s, the success of Wheatland’s conduit sales prompts management to consider a companion product to rigid conduit, a thinner wall tubular product known as Electrical Metallic Tubing, or EMT. In 1969, JMC acquires the assets of International Conduit Company (ICC) a Chicago, Illinois based independent manufacturer of EMT. These assets include an electric resistance weld (ERW) tube mill and EMT finishing line on Chicago’s South Western Boulevard.
1970's - Within a year of purchase Wheatland Tube Company Chicago Division establishes itself as a producer of high quality EMT. In 1975, Wheatland extends the product line to include the manufacture of couplings and fittings. Seminole Tubular Products, a sister company of Wheatland, satisfies the market need for nipples, elbows and other threaded fittings.
1977 - John Maneely Company celebrates its centennial anniversary.
1980's - In 1980, the John Maneely Company moves its headquarters from downtown Philadelphia to Collingswood, New Jersey, a quiet town within 5 minutes of its former offices. The company remains officially chartered in Pennsylvania. 1987 marks the beginning of intermediate metal conduit (IMC) production in the Wheatland Tube Chicago facility.
1990's - Wheatland Tube Company expands its electrical and mechanical production capabilities and enters the residential fence tubing market with the purchase of Omega Tube and Conduit in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1992. The Omega Division is renamed Wheatland Tube, Little Rock Division. In 1996, Wheatland Tube Company is the first galvanized pipe manufacturer to be certified by NSF International for its hot dip galvanized pipe. This same year the Wheatland, Pennsylvania facility receives ISO 9002 certification. 1997 sees more expansion for the Chicago division with the completion of the Mechanical Tube Division of Wheatland.
2000’s - John Maneely Company acquires the assets of Sawhill Tubular from AK Steel in 2002. This is the largest expansion move in the company’s history. The acquisition includes additional production facilities in Wheatland, PA, in nearby Sharon, PA and 25 miles west in Warren, Ohio. Wheatland Tube Company increases capabilities and annual production to 800,000 tons. Also in 2002, Wheatland Tube Chicago Division completes a major expansion project, installing a fourth tube mill to produce up to 5” OD tube as well as adding a 165,000 square foot warehouse complex. In total, the Chicago Division has over 625,000 square feet of manufacturing space under roof.
2002 - John Maneely Company has enjoyed 125 years of success.
2003 - Peter S. Dooner, a fourth generation family member, is appointed president and CEO of John Maneely Company.
2006 - The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm in Washington DC, purchases John Maneely Company in March of 2006. Employees of John Maneely Company anticipate continued growth and success, under the guidance of the new owners.
