In 1929 Ritchie incorporated and moved to an old machine shed in Marshalltown. Part of the manufactering also took place in a small 24' x 48' machine shed in Conrad until 1943. That year, blacksmith C.D. Wilson purchased Ritchie, moved the business to Conrad, and operated the business out of a small blacksmith shop. Shortly after the move, automatic electric heat was introduced to the watering equipment helping to establish Ritchie as the leader in the industry.

After his father’s death in 1979, C. D. Wilson Jr. took the reins of the business, and expanded its market and the technology of the product. To meet demands, the company had gone from making six models, to more than 40, giving it the distinction of being the largest manufacturer and distributor of the most complete line of animal and livestock watering equipment in North America. In January of 2004, Ritchie Industries became employee owned.

Today, 90 years later, Ritchie Industries offers a complete line of animal watering products all over the world, and can point with pride to an unmatched reputation for quality and integrity. We receive orders from farmers who tell us they’re still using an original Ritchie fountain they bought 30, 40, and even 50 years ago. That history of quality is what guides us in the manufacturing process today. So when you buy a Ritchie, you know it’s going to work for a long, long time.

Did you know

In 1925, the valve was called "The Iowa Float Valve" and parts for the valve ranged from .5 - .90 cents.

Advertisments from 1925 say "Reap the profits you should have by providing your hogs, cattle, sheep and poultry with the necessary pure, clean fresh drinkin water."

The same holds true today.