In 2026, A.Y. McDonald proudly celebrates 170 years in business. Since 1856, our company has grown from a small plumbing shop in Dubuque, Iowa, into a trusted manufacturer serving the water works, plumbing, and natural gas industries. Through generations of change, our foundation has remained the same: make good products and sell them honestly.
For 170 years, A.Y. McDonald has grown because of a simple philosophy: The Customer is the Boss. That belief guides how we work, how we serve, and how we stand behind our products. Customers may not think about how long a company has been in business, but they know when a company keeps its word. Take a look at the history that has shaped our company over the years:
This milestone also belongs to the co-workers who have shaped A.Y. McDonald across generations. From manufacturing and foundry teams to engineering, customer service, sales, operations, and leadership, our people have always been at the heart of the company. Their skill, pride, and dedication are part of every chapter of our story.
Innovation remains central to who we are. From early product improvements to today’s testing, engineering, and product development efforts, we continue to look for better ways to serve customers and strengthen the industries that rely on us.
Generations of co-workers have dedicated their careers to helping A.Y. McDonald succeed. Families have worked side-by-side across multiple generations. Customers have trusted our products and partnered with us to build and maintain essential infrastructure. Together, they have created a culture that continues to define who we are today.
As we honor our 170th anniversary, we also look ahead. We will continue to make good products, sell them honestly, listen to customers, invest in our co-workers, and build the future of A.Y. McDonald together. Our history reminds us that lasting success is built through trust, steady improvement, and a shared commitment to doing the right thing. Those values will continue to guide us as we serve customers, support communities, and carry this legacy forward for generations to come.
