Press Releases

Cleveland, OH, December 15 — 2006 Oatey Company, a leader in the plumbing industry since 1916, has acquired the William H. Harvey Company of Omaha, Nebraska, a manufacturer and distributor of plumbing specialty products sold throughout North and South America.

The William H. Harvey Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Oatey Company. The sale includes Harvey's headquarters and manufacturing facility in Omaha. Both companies are privately held.

"This is a combination of two strong family-owned companies with complementary business models, values and motivations," said Oatey CEO Gary Oatey. "With the addition of the William H. Harvey Company, Oatey will strengthen its leadership position in the rough-in plumbing products business. Our goal is to provide a broad line of the highest quality products to maximize overall value to our customers."

"The Oatey Company's reputation for quality, integrity and trust is among the best in our industry, and we are pleased to become part of the Oatey family," said John Harvey. "The William H. Harvey Company sought a strong, respected partner who could secure a long-term future for our company." No immediate changes are planned in the way either company serves its customers. "We want to make this transition as smooth as possible to the customers of both companies to ensure that they continue to receive the excellent service they have come to expect," said Gary Oatey.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Oatey Company manufactures products for plumbing professionals and consumers. Oatey Supply Chain Services markets products under the Oatey, Cherne, Dearborn Brass and Hercules brand names. William H. Harvey manufactures and markets plumbing specialty products for the OEM, wholesale and hardware and building supply retail markets under the brand name Harvey as well as a variety of private-label brands.