When the history of an industry is written, few companies can claim to have invented a product category that defined modern infrastructure. Henry Pratt Company is one of those rare pioneers. Since 1901, Pratt has been at the forefront of valve technology, designing and manufacturing solutions for the most critical water, wastewater, and industrial applications in North America and beyond . This post explores the company’s legendary 125-year history, their renowned product lines, and how their engineering excellence continues to shape the flow control industry.
The Pratt Story: A Legacy of American Innovation Since 1901
Henry Pratt Company was incorporated on November 1, 1901, as the Henry Pratt Boiler and Machine Company, with founder Henry Pratt serving as president and treasurer . The company’s first home was at 875 S. Halsted Street in Chicago, housing an office, machine shop, and boiler shop .
From the very beginning, Pratt was involved in transformative infrastructure projects. In 1903, the company provided 16-inch valves for the first significant electric generating station in Chicago, built by Commonwealth Edison at Fisk Street . This marked the beginning of a long tradition of supplying critical components for major municipal projects.
The company’s name changed to the Henry Pratt Company in 1909. When Henry Pratt passed away in December 1914, his reputation for quality was so strong that the company retained his name .
The Invention That Changed an Industry: The Rubber-Seated Butterfly Valve
Pratt’s most significant contribution to valve technology came in the mid-1920s. As welding technology emerged, Pratt was instrumental in designing and producing the first welded smoke stack, installed at Commonwealth Edison’s Fisk Street Generating Station .
But the true breakthrough was yet to come. Henry Pratt Company designed the world’s first rubber-seated butterfly valve, applying for the patent in 1930 and receiving it in 1934 . These original valves were created for “controlling the flow of air, powdered coal, ash water, etc., under low pressures.” This innovation laid the foundation for modern flow control and established Pratt as the industry leader in butterfly valve technology .
Throughout the 20th century, Pratt continued to accumulate industry firsts :
- Rubber-seat ball valve
- High-pressure rubber-seat ball valves for water distribution service
- Development of the replaceable seat concept for large diameter butterfly valves
- Perfection of the “molded-in” seat concept for smaller butterfly valves
- Rectangular and obround shaped rubber-seat butterfly valve
- Fast closing valve to shut off ventilating systems in nuclear power plants
Comprehensive Product Portfolio
Today, Henry Pratt Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of flow control solutions for potable water, wastewater, power, industrial and nuclear markets . Their product line includes :
| Product Category | Key Series/Applications | Industries Served |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Valves | Rubber-seated butterfly valves (Series 100/200), rectangular butterfly valves, N-stamp butterfly valves for nuclear service | Waterworks, power generation, industrial |
| Ball Valves | AWWA rubber-seated ball valves, metal-seated ball valves | Potable water, wastewater, industrial |
| Check Valves | Tilting disc check valves | Pumping stations, transmission lines |
| Plug Valves | Ballcentric plug valves, multiport plug valves | Municipal and industrial applications |
| Cone Valves | For high-head flow control | Dams, reservoirs, large pipelines |
| Specialty Valves | Energy dissipating valves, sleeve valves, rectangular valves, industrial valves | High-pressure reducing stations, outfall lines |
| Figure P77 Knife Gate Valve | Newly released product engineered for the toughest slurries and abrasive materials | Mining, chemical, food and beverage, pulp and paper |
Duckbill Valve Key Industries and Critical Applications
Henry Pratt products are essential components in North America’s most critical infrastructure :
- Potable Water Systems: Butterfly and ball valves in water treatment plants and distribution networks
- Wastewater Treatment: Valves handling sewage, sludge, and effluent in treatment facilities
- Power Generation: Circulating water systems, condenser isolation, and nuclear service valves
- Industrial Processing: Chemical, food and beverage, pulp and paper, and mining applications
- Flood Control: Large-diameter valves for dam outlets and flood protection systems
- Fire Protection: Specialized valves for fire protection systems
2019 Tragedy and Community Remembrance
On February 15, 2019, the Henry Pratt Company facility in Aurora, Illinois, was the site of a tragic workplace shooting that claimed the lives of five employees . The victims were Vicente Juarez, Russel Beyer, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner .
In February 2026, the Aurora community marked the seventh anniversary of the tragedy with a memorial event organized by the city council . Mayor John Laesch led the commemoration, offering a wreath and naming each victim. Family members shared their ongoing grief—Diana Juarez spoke of talking to her father’s photos and hearing his voice, while Christian Juarez expressed sorrow that his father would miss milestones like his future wedding or children .
The memorial included placing a wreath at the Aurora Art Museum, where an exhibition dedicated to the victims features the crosses from a makeshift altar created outside the company facility . The community’s commitment to remembering the victims and preventing such tragedies remains strong.
Recent Developments and Manufacturing Consolidation
In 2020, Henry Pratt Company announced a phased consolidation of its manufacturing plants into a modern, newly built facility in Kimball, Tennessee . This strategic move centralized production to improve efficiency and maintain the highest quality standards.
As a result, the historic Aurora, Illinois, office and manufacturing plant—Pratt’s home for over 55 years since moving there in the mid-1960s—closed on March 31, 2022 . Today, Pratt and other branded products ship to customers from the state-of-the-art Tennessee facility .
Recent Product Launch: Figure P77 Knife Gate Valve
The company continues to innovate, recently releasing the Figure P77 Knife Gate Valve . This new product is specifically engineered to handle even the toughest slurries and abrasive materials with ease. It is applicable for mining, chemical, food and beverage, and pulp and paper industries, demonstrating Pratt’s ongoing commitment to solving demanding flow control challenges .
Interactive Product Exploration
Henry Pratt Company has embraced digital innovation, offering an interactive app that allows engineers and customers to experience their products in action . This tool provides an immersive way to explore valve features, operation, and specifications, enhancing the specification and selection process.
How to Contact Henry Pratt Company
Henry Pratt Company operates as a key part of Mueller Water Products, Inc. , a publicly traded company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia . For inquiries about their products, including butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, and the new Figure P77 knife gate valve, here are the contact methods:
Primary Contact Information:
- Website: www.henrypratt.com
- General Contact: Marketing Department, 1200 Abernathy Road, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30328 U.S.A.
- Phone: +1 877 436 7977 (toll-free)
- Phone: 630-844-4000 (historical headquarters number)
- Email: [email protected]
For specific product inquiries, technical support, or to find an authorized representative in your region, the website contact form is the most effective starting point.
Conclusion
For 125 years, Henry Pratt Company has stood as a pillar of American manufacturing and engineering innovation. From supplying valves for Chicago’s first electric generating station in 1903 to inventing the rubber-seated butterfly valve in 1930 and releasing the Figure P77 knife gate valve in 2025, Pratt has consistently led the industry.
While they do not manufacture traditional soft duckbill valves, their heavy-duty engineered solutions—butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, cone valves, and knife gate valves—are the preferred choice for engineers specifying critical infrastructure from coast to coast.
As they continue operating from their new Tennessee manufacturing facility and honoring their legacy while looking toward the future, Henry Pratt Company remains what they have always been: a trusted partner for the toughest flow control challenges in water, wastewater, power, and industry.