Oatey Co.
Oatey Co. is a privately held, Cleveland-based plumbing products manufacturer founded in 1916, designing and selling thousands of products across nine brands, including solvent cements, drains, valves, and testing equipment to professional contractors, DIY consumers, and waterworks buyers in over 100 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1916
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Oatey Co. does
Oatey Co. is a privately held, Cleveland, Ohio-based plumbing products manufacturer founded in 1916. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes thousands of plumbing products under nine owned brands (Oatey, Cherne, Dearborn, Harvey, Hercules, Keeney, QuickDrain, Plumb Pak, Designline), spanning solvent cements, primers, cleaners, thread sealants, drain and toilet flange products, shower systems, air admittance valves, pipe support solutions, putty and water barriers, and pneumatic/mechanical testing equipment. Notable proprietary technologies include the Cherne I-Series robotic test plug manufacturing process with mechanically bonded rubber-to-aluminum construction, stain-free plumber's putty formulations patented in the US and Canada, patented linear drain adjustment systems, and multiple patents on water hammer arrestor valves and toilet flange extension kits. The company's product portfolio is protected by over 50 patents.
Oatey operates owned manufacturing facilities in the United States (Cleveland, Shakopee, Omaha), Canada, Mexico, China, the Netherlands (Lansas B.V., acquired 2023), and Sweden (Durgo, acquired 2024), serving customers in over 100 countries. The business model is hardware sales through wholesale plumbing distributors, retail home improvement channels, and regional manufacturer representative agencies that cover territories across North America, Europe, and Asia. Revenue is generated from professional plumbers and contractors (primary), DIY homeowners (primary), commercial plumbing projects (primary), waterworks and municipal buyers (primary), and tile contractors and designers (secondary). The company invests in trade community engagement through an Ambassador program, an in-house podcast (The Fix), annual trade events including KBIS, and a 10-year cancer research fundraising partnership with Cleveland Clinic's VeloSano initiative that has raised over $1.7 million.
The company is led by CEO Neal Restivo, with a senior leadership team including dedicated CXOs for finance, commercial, HR, IT, and operations, and functional VPs for wholesale, retail, supply chain, eCommerce, international development, sourcing, quality and engineering, analytics, and Cherne global operations. Oatey has pursued a programmatic acquisition strategy, completing five acquisitions since 2017 to expand its product platform and geographic footprint, most recently Durgo (Sweden, 2024) and Lansas B.V. (Netherlands, 2023) to anchor European manufacturing. The company is not publicly traded and does not disclose revenue or detailed ownership structure.
Oatey Co. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oatey Co.
- Legal name
- Oatey Co.
- Website
- https://oatey.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1916
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Oatey Co. is a privately held, Cleveland-based plumbing products manufacturer founded in 1916, designing and selling thousands of products across nine brands, including solvent cements, drains, valves, and testing equipment to professional contractors, DIY consumers, and waterworks buyers in over 100 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oatey Co. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plumbing Products Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (423710)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Irrigation & Outdoor Plumbing Products (IMADALAI)
Keywords
Where Oatey Co. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Oatey Co. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Plumbing Products Sales: Oatey generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of thousands of plumbing products including solvent cements, drains, valves, fittings, and specialty products to professional contractors, plumbers, and DIY consumers.
- Brand Portfolio Revenue: Multiple branded product lines (Oatey, Cherne, Dearborn, Harvey, Hercules, Keeney, QuickDrain, Plumb Pak) sold through wholesale and retail channels generate revenue across residential, commercial, and waterworks markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale distribution through plumbing supply retailers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Oatey Co. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oatey Co. manufactures and sells thousands of plumbing products under multiple brands including solvent cements, primers, cleaners, thread sealants, drains, toilet flanges, shower systems, air admittance valves, pipe supports, putty and water barriers, commercial drains, and pipe testing/plugging equipment. Products are sold through wholesale plumbing distributors, retail/home improvement channels, and manufacturer representative agencies for professional plumbers, contractors, commercial builders, waterworks/municipal customers, and DIY consumers across residential, commercial, and waterworks markets worldwide.
Product overview
Oatey Co. is a comprehensive plumbing products manufacturer offering thousands of products across multiple sub-brands including Oatey (core brand), Cherne (pipe plugs and testing equipment), Dearborn (bathroom plumbing), Harvey (toilet products), Hercules (chemical products), Keeney (tubular drainage), QuickDrain (linear shower drains), and Plumb Pak (tubular accessories). The product portfolio includes chemical bonding products (solvent cements, primers, cleaners), thread sealants, drain and toilet flange products, shower systems, air admittance valves, pipe support solutions, putty and water barriers, and testing equipment. The company serves residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, specialty construction, and waterworks markets. Oatey's products are protected by numerous patents covering innovations in water hammer arrestors, linear drains, toilet flanges, and decorative shower drains. Recent acquisitions of Lansas B.V. (European waterworks) and Durgo (air admittance valves) have expanded the company's international product capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cherne: Industry-leading manufacturer of test plugs and testing equipment for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal piping systems.
- Dearborn
- Harvey
- Hercules
- Keeney
- QuickDrain
- Plumb Pak
- Designline
- QuickDrain ProLine
Products and services
- Solvent Cements, Primers & Cleaners Chemical bonding products for joining plastic pipes including PVC, CPVC, and ABS for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing applications. Sold to professional plumbers and contractors.
- Thread Sealants Sealant products for threaded pipe connections to prevent leaks in plumbing systems. For professional contractors and plumbers.
- Drains & Toilet Flanges Drain assemblies and toilet flange products for residential and commercial bathroom installations, including the Designline decorative drain collection. For professional plumbers, contractors, and DIY consumers.
- Shower Systems Complete shower drainage solutions including linear drains and shower pans for tiled showers in residential and commercial applications. Targets tile contractors, designers, and high-end bathroom renovation projects.
- Air Admittance Valves (AAV) Air admittance valves that allow air to enter plumbing systems while preventing sewer gases from escaping. Capabilities expanded through the 2024 Durgo acquisition. For plumbing professionals.
- Pipe Support In-wall bracketing systems, pipe clamps, and accessories for supporting PEX, copper, and CPVC pipes in residential and light commercial plumbing applications. For professional plumbers and contractors.
- Putty, Caulks & Water Barriers Sealant and waterproofing products including the patented stain-free plumber's putty and various caulking products. For professional plumbers and DIY consumers.
- Testing Equipment / Tools & Accessories Testing equipment including pneumatic test balls, mechanical test plugs, and related accessories for pressure testing plumbing systems. Sold under the Cherne brand for professional contractors and municipal applications.
- Commercial Drains Commercial-grade drainage products for large-scale plumbing installations in offices, retail, hospitality, and institutional facilities. For commercial plumbing contractors.
- Waterworks Products Products for water distribution and municipal applications, expanded through the 2023 Lansas B.V. acquisition of underground pipe and disc plugs. For waterworks and municipal customers.
- Oatey Brand Products Core Oatey brand products including solvent cements, primers, cleaners, thread sealants, drain products, and toilet flanges that have earned the trust of plumbing professionals for over 100 years.
- Cherne Test Plugs and Testing Equipment Cherne Industries products: industry-leading pipe plugs, blocking, and testing equipment for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal piping systems, including the I-Series robotic-manufactured Test-Ball Plugs.
- Dearborn Plumbing Products Dearborn brand products: superior quality plumbing products designed with the plumber in mind, including sink drains, bath waste products, and space-saving sink drain kits.
- Harvey Plumbing Products Harvey brand products: a wide variety of plumbing products offered for more than 75 years, including wax rings and toilet installation products.
- Hercules Chemical Products Hercules brand products: pipe joint compounds, drain cleaners, septic system cleaning products, and rust removers built to last and trusted by plumbers.
- Keeney Tubular Drainage Products Keeney brand products (founded 1923): under-sink drainage, quarter-turn valves, bath drains, toilet repair parts, and related tubular products.
- QuickDrain Shower Solutions QuickDrain brand: sophisticated linear shower drain solutions for residential and commercial applications, featuring the ProLine system with patented adjustment method and curb cover waterproofing technology.
- Plumb Pak Tubular Products Plumb Pak brand: a complete range of tubular products and bathroom accessories designed for quality and performance.
- Oatey Stainless Steel Fix-It Flange Repair Ring Stainless steel version of Oatey's Fix-It Repair Ring for repairing broken, cracked or worn-out toilet mounting flanges without full flange replacement. For professional plumbers.
- Oatey Designline Decorative Shower Drains Designline collection of decorative shower drain covers featuring various patterns and finishes for premium bathroom renovation projects. Targets tile contractors, designers, and high-end bathroom renovations.
- Oatey Stain-Free Plumber's Putty for ABS Pipe First stain-free plumber's putty compatible with ABS pipe. Patented formulation registered in US and Canada. For professional plumbers and DIY consumers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Named Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio for 15th time in 2025
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Oatey Co.
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Oatey Co. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Oatey Co. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Luxury Products GroupminorQuickDrain joined as approved vendor to expand reach in the showroom space, connecting more showrooms and customers with QuickDrain's shower solutions.
- The House That She Built (Children's Book)minorOatey supports STEM education through reading events at schools featuring the children's book about construction careers, generating awareness of skilled trades.
- VeloSano (Cleveland Clinic)core10-year partnership supporting VeloSano's annual Bike to Cure event to raise funds for cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. Oatey has raised over $1.7 million, funding 13 cancer research projects. In 2025, Oatey raised a record $353,600.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Oatey Co. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RectorSeal: RectorSeal (a CSW Industrials company) directly competes with Oatey's Hercules and Oatey brands in plumbing chemicals including thread sealants, pipe joint compounds, and drain chemicals sold through similar wholesale and contractor channels.
- IPS Corporation (Weld-On): IPS Corporation's Weld-On brand is the most direct competitor to Oatey's solvent cements, primers, and cleaners for PVC/CPVC/ABS pipe joining, serving the same professional plumber and contractor segments.
- Sioux Chief Mfg: Sioux Chief manufactures rough plumbing products including pipe supports, stub-outs, and water heater connectors, directly competing with Oatey's Pipe Support category and serving similar plumbing wholesale channels.
- Fernco: Fernco is a leading manufacturer of flexible couplings, connectors, and pipe repair products used in plumbing and drainage, directly comparable to Oatey's coupling, drainage, and repair product offerings.
- Fluidmaster: Fluidmaster is a leading manufacturer of toilet repair parts, fill valves, and flush valves, directly competing with Oatey's Keeney brand tubular drainage and toilet repair product lines in retail and wholesale channels.
Broad incumbents
- Watts Water Technologies: Watts Water Technologies is a much larger publicly-traded incumbent in plumbing, water safety, and drainage products. While broader in scope (valves, backflow preventers, water quality), it overlaps with Oatey in drains, fittings, and commercial plumbing solutions.
- Charlotte Pipe and Foundry: Charlotte Pipe is a major manufacturer of cast iron, PVC, and CPVC plumbing pipe and fittings, serving residential and commercial plumbing contractors through similar wholesale distribution channels as Oatey.
- Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC): RWC owns SharkBite and other plumbing fittings brands, competing with Oatey in push-to-connect fittings, valves, and water management products across residential and commercial markets globally.
- NIBCO: NIBCO is a major manufacturer of plumbing valves, fittings, and flow control products. As a privately-held, family-owned company (like Oatey) it competes directly across fittings and valves categories through wholesale plumbing distribution.
Regional players
- Canplas (Aliaxis): Canplas is a Canadian manufacturer of plumbing fittings, drainage, and ventilation products (part of Aliaxis), serving similar North American markets to Oatey Canada with comparable plumbing product categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oatey Co. social profiles
Digital presenceOatey Co. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oatey Co. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Oatey Co. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
Oatey Co. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oatey Co. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A5 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oatey Co.
What does Oatey Co. do?
Oatey Co. manufactures and sells thousands of plumbing products under multiple brands including solvent cements, primers, cleaners, thread sealants, drains, toilet flanges, shower systems, air admittance valves, pipe supports, putty and water barriers, commercial drains, and pipe testing/plugging equipment. Products are sold through wholesale plumbing distributors, retail/home improvement channels, and manufacturer representative agencies for professional plumbers, contractors, commercial builders, waterworks/municipal customers, and DIY consumers across residential, commercial, and waterworks markets worldwide.
Is Oatey Co. a public or private company?
Oatey Co. is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Oatey Co. founded?
Oatey Co. was founded in 1916. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Oatey Co. based?
Oatey Co. is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oatey Co. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Plumbing Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are brand Portfolio Revenue.
Who are Oatey Co.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RectorSeal, IPS Corporation (Weld-On), Sioux Chief Mfg, Fernco and Fluidmaster. Broad incumbents are Watts Water Technologies, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) and NIBCO. Canplas (Aliaxis) is listed as a regional player.
Does Oatey Co. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oatey Co..
What industry is Oatey Co. in?
Oatey Co.'s product category is Plumbing Products Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADALAI, Irrigation & Outdoor Plumbing Products. Its NAICS code is 3256 and its SIC code is 5070.