09/02/2026
🏠TYLER PIPE: A LEGACY OF STRENGTH — A CENTURY OF INNOVATION
For more than 90 years, Tyler Pipe has been part of the industrial story of Tyler, Texas—a story of innovation, manufacturing, jobs, and products that have helped build communities across America.
Founded in 1935 as the Tyler Iron & Foundry Company, the company began during the economic recovery of the Great Depression. What started as a local cast-iron pipe manufacturer grew into one of the nation’s significant producers of cast iron soil pipe, fittings, and couplings used in plumbing and drainage systems.
Innovation became a hallmark of the company. In 1959, Tyler Pipe introduced a 10-foot length of cast iron soil pipe, and by 1964, the company was manufacturing no-hub pipe and fittings along with its Ty-Seal compression gasket—advancements that helped transform installation methods within the plumbing industry.
The company entered another chapter in 1968, when industrialist Joseph F. McKinney purchased Tyler Pipe. In 1970, his larger enterprise took the name Tyler Corporation, reflecting the importance Tyler Pipe had achieved within the organization.
In 1995, Tyler Pipe became part of the McWane family of companies, and in 2007, Tyler Pipe and Union Foundry were brought together to form Tyler Union.
Through decades of changing technology, ownership, and industry, one thing has remained constant: Tyler, Texas, helped produce products that became part of America’s infrastructure.
As we commemorate America 250, Smith County 180, and Tyler 180, we also celebrate the industries, workers, innovators, and businesses whose stories helped shape our community.
TYLER PIPE — Built on History. Engineered for Tomorrow.
Courtesy of Empowerment CDC Historical Preservation Initiative ©2026
