Wade Drains
WADE manufactures specification-grade commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products for the US construction market. Operating since 1865 and based in Tyler, Texas, it serves engineers, contractors, and distributors through a nationwide rep network as a subsidiary of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1865
- HeadquartersTexas, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Wade Drains does
WADE (Wade Drains) is a North American manufacturer of commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products founded in 1865 in Chicago and now headquartered operationally in Tyler, Texas. The company produces a comprehensive specification-grade portfolio including floor and area drains, roof drains, trench drain systems (Hydro-Flo HDPE and fabricated carbon/stainless steel), grease interceptors (Grease Guardian), fixture supports, cleanouts, hydrants, sanitary floor sinks, and siphonic drainage systems. Its products are widely accepted by engineers and meet Buy America Act requirements, positioning WADE primarily in the commercial construction and specification market across the United States. Its stainless steel sub-line (models in the 1100SS through 9790SS series) serves corrosive-environment applications including food service, pharmaceutical, and industrial facilities.
WADE's go-to-market is structured around three channels: trained manufacturer representatives covering all US states, a nationwide network of organized plumbing distributors, and direct customer service (phone, email, fax). Pricing follows published list-price catalogs (WSS126, WHF126, WSD126) with no public disclosure of negotiated enterprise contracts, consistent with a transactional, specification-driven distribution model. The company's revenue model is not publicly disclosed, and no independent financial metrics are available. Since November 2021, WADE has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, a publicly held water management company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Engineering, customer service, and production operations remain in Tyler, Texas, with distribution and logistics based in Commerce, Texas.
Wade Drains firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wade Drains
- Legal name
- WADE
- Website
- https://wadedrains.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1865
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WADE manufactures specification-grade commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products for the US construction market. Operating since 1865 and based in Tyler, Texas, it serves engineers, contractors, and distributors through a nationwide rep network as a subsidiary of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wade Drains industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Drainage Products
- NAICS
- Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42384)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drainage, Waste & Vent (DWV) Systems & Components (IMADALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Plumbing Fixtures (Faucets, Sinks & Bath Fixtures) (IMADALAA)
Keywords
Where Wade Drains is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Texas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Wade Drains business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Wade Drains product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WADE manufactures specification-grade commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products including floor and area drains, roof drains, trench drains, grease interceptors, fixture supports, sanitary floor sinks, cleanouts, and hydrants. The product portfolio serves commercial construction, industrial, and institutional applications across North America, with materials including cast iron, nickel bronze, stainless steel, and HDPE, all meeting Buy America Act requirements.
Product overview
WADE is a traditional manufacturer of commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products with over 160 years of history. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of specification-grade drainage products organized into product categories including Fixture Supports, Floor & Area Drains, Roof Drains, Traps/Primers/Specialties, Interceptors, Grease Guardian systems, Cleanouts & Access Covers, Hydrants, Sanitary Floor Sinks, and Funnels. The Hydro-Flo sub-brand encompasses HDPE and fabricated (carbon steel/stainless steel) trench drain systems. The Stainless Steel Drainage Products line includes specific models like the 1100SS, 1200SS, 1300SS, 1500SS series, along with modular trench drains (2930SS, 2940SS), floor cleanouts (6100SS, 8200SS), floor sinks (9700-9750SS series), kettle drains (9790SS series), open site drip drains (9410SS, 9440SS), and receptor drains. The company also offers siphonic drainage systems and a full range of replacement parts including grates in various materials (nickel bronze, ductile iron). All products meet Buy America Act requirements. Engineering, customer service, and operations remain in Tyler, Texas, with distribution in Commerce, Texas. WADE is owned by Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Grease Guardian: Grease interceptor product line
Products and services
- Floor & Area Drains
- Roof Drains
- Fixture Supports
- Traps, Primers, & Specialties
- Interceptors
- Grease Guardian
- Cleanouts & Access Covers
- Hydrants
- Sanitary Floor Sinks
- Hydro-Flo HDPE Trench Drain Systems
- Hydro-Flo Fabricated Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel Trench Drain System
- Siphonic Drainage
- Stainless Steel Drainage Products
- Funnels (CI, NB, SS)
- Replacement Parts
Companies that use Wade Drains
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Wade Drains technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Wade Drains partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wade Drains competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Josam Company: Josam manufactures cast iron and stainless steel commercial drainage, roof drains, and floor drains for specification-grade plumbing. Most direct comparable to WADE in product line, customer base, and specification channel.
- MIFAB Manufacturing: MIFAB is a leading manufacturer of commercial drainage products including floor drains, roof drains, cleanouts, and grease interceptors, serving the same specification market as WADE across North America.
- Jay R. Smith Mfg Co: Jay R. Smith is a long-established manufacturer of commercial plumbing drainage products including roof drains, floor drains, and backwater valves. Direct competitor to WADE in the specification market.
- ACO Drain (ACO Group): ACO Drain is a leading manufacturer of trench drains, slot drains, and stormwater management systems. Directly competes with WADE's Hydro-Flo trench drain product line in commercial and industrial applications.
- NDS Inc. NDS manufactures commercial drainage and stormwater management products including trench drains and catch basins. Overlaps with WADE's Hydro-Flo HDPE trench drain systems in commercial and light-industrial segments.
Broad incumbents
- Watts Water Technologies: Watts Water is a large publicly held manufacturer of water and plumbing products including drainage. Operates broadly with multiple brands and competes across many of WADE's specification segments with greater scale.
- Zurn Elkay Water Solutions: Zurn Elkay is WADE's publicly held parent company and a major manufacturer of commercial plumbing and water management products. Its broader portfolio overlaps with WADE's specification products across drain and interceptor categories.
Emerging players
- Sioux Chief Manufacturing: Sioux Chief manufactures plumbing specialty products including drains, carriers, and supports. Partial overlap with WADE's fixture support and floor drain categories, with stronger presence in residential and light commercial segments.
Regional players
- Blücher Metal A/S (BLÜCHER): BLÜCHER is a leading European manufacturer of stainless steel drainage products for commercial and industrial applications. Comparable to WADE's stainless steel drainage line but primarily serves EMEA rather than North America.
Others
- Plumbing Distributors (Ferguson, Winsupply): Major plumbing distributors such as Ferguson are WADE's primary sales channel partners rather than competitors. They are ecosystem participants that determine WADE's reach into the specification market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wade Drains social profiles
Digital presenceWade Drains financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wade Drains leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Wade Drains funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wade Drains M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wade Drains
What does Wade Drains do?
WADE manufactures specification-grade commercial drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) products including floor and area drains, roof drains, trench drains, grease interceptors, fixture supports, sanitary floor sinks, cleanouts, and hydrants. The product portfolio serves commercial construction, industrial, and institutional applications across North America, with materials including cast iron, nickel bronze, stainless steel, and HDPE, all meeting Buy America Act requirements.
Is Wade Drains a public or private company?
Wade Drains is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Wade Drains founded?
Wade Drains was founded in 1865. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wade Drains based?
Wade Drains is headquartered in Texas, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Wade Drains's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Josam Company, MIFAB Manufacturing, Jay R. Smith Mfg Co, ACO Drain (ACO Group) and NDS Inc.. Broad incumbents are Watts Water Technologies and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions. Sioux Chief Manufacturing is listed as an emerging player. Blücher Metal A/S (BLÜCHER) is listed as a regional player. Plumbing Distributors (Ferguson, Winsupply) is listed as an others.
Does Wade Drains have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wade Drains.
What industry is Wade Drains in?
Wade Drains's product category is Commercial Drainage Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADALAE, Drainage, Waste & Vent (DWV) Systems & Components, with a secondary code of IMADALAA, Plumbing Fixtures (Faucets, Sinks & Bath Fixtures). Its NAICS code is 42384 and its SIC code is 5070.