Sloan Celebrates 120 Years of Innovation and Leadership in Commercial Plumbing

Sloan, the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems, is celebrating its 120th anniversary, marking over a century of innovation that has helped transform commercial restroom design, water management, hygiene, and sustainability. Since its founding in 1906, Sloan has introduced technologies and solutions that have continuously advanced the commercial plumbing industry while addressing the evolving needs of buildings and their occupants. 

“As we celebrate 120 years, we are incredibly proud of the innovations, partnerships, and people that have defined Sloan's journey,” said Graham Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sloan. “For over a century, our focus has remained constant: solving real-world challenges through thoughtful engineering and innovation. From helping modernize commercial plumbing in the early 1900s to advancing water conservation, touch-free hygiene, and connected technologies, Sloan has remained committed to helping customers navigate an ever-changing world.”

As part of the anniversary, Sloan has examined the societal, technological, and regulatory shifts that transformed commercial restrooms over the last 12 decades, from the early days of modern sanitation to today's era of smart, connected building technologies.

Founded by William E. Sloan following the invention of the Royal^® Flushometer, Sloan emerged during a period of rapid urbanization, when growing cities required more reliable and efficient plumbing infrastructure. What began as a solution to the limitations of gravity-fed tank systems would ultimately help establish a new standard for commercial restroom performance and lay the foundation for generations of innovation.

Throughout its history, Sloan has played a role in many of the innovations that have helped define their respective eras. The company's introduction of the flushometer helped improve reliability and efficiency in commercial buildings during a period of unprecedented growth. Later innovations contributed to advances in sanitation, water conservation, touch-free operation, sustainability, retrofit solutions, connected products, and integrated restroom design. Along the way, Sloan helped establish new expectations for performance, user experience, and responsible water stewardship.

Over the course of this evolution, Sloan has remained committed to American manufacturing and engineering excellence. During World War II, the company temporarily shifted production to support wartime manufacturing efforts while continuing to advance the expertise and capabilities that would shape future innovations. Today, Sloan continues to invest in product development, manufacturing, sustainability, and connected technologies that help improve building performance and occupant experiences.

“While 120 years is a remarkable milestone, we view it as both a celebration and a responsibility,” Allen said. “As we look ahead, we will continue building on Sloan’s legacy by developing solutions that help shape the next century of innovation in commercial plumbing.”

To learn more about Sloan's 120-year history, visit Sloan’s website. Follow Sloan on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and blog for additional updates.