What Kupferle does

Kupferle Water Solutions, headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, is a 165-year-old specialty manufacturer of products that maintain and monitor water quality in potable water distribution systems. Founded in 1857 as The Kupferle Foundry Company and rebranded under new ownership in 2023, the company operates from a 50,000+ square foot facility and serves municipal and private water utilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and commercial facilities across the United States and Canada.

Kupferle's product portfolio spans six categories: intelligent monitoring and flushing stations (the Eclipse i-Series with chlorine analyzers, PLC controllers, solar power, cellular/SCADA data transmission, and an 8-sensor platform for chlorine residual, turbidity, pH, pressure, and temperature); automatic flushing stations that flush dead-end water mains to maintain chlorine residuals and prevent disinfection byproduct formation; EPA-permitted sampling stations for bacteriological testing; post hydrants and below-grade blow-offs for dead-end main flushing; washdown and monitor hydrants for treatment plants; and yard hydrants for non-potable outdoor use. The Eclipse #2 post hydrant has been in continuous production for over 100 years, and the MainGuard #95WM-R meter setter carries a patent-pending adjustable design. Product certifications include NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372 lead-free, AIS, BABA, and ARRA, qualifying the catalog for federally funded water infrastructure projects.

The company operates an exclusive distribution model, selling only through waterworks distributors supported by 50+ independent manufacturer representatives covering all 50 US states and Canada, with a small direct-sales overlay in select Illinois ZIPs. Pricing is quote-based through channel partners, and the go-to-market relies on technology-van roadshows, major industry conferences (ACE, WEFTEC, WQTC), and a multi-brand product architecture (Eclipse, MainGuard, Truflo, Corn King). Revenue is undisclosed; the company is privately held with a small employee base of 11–50.

Name

Kupferle

Legal name

Kupferle Water Solutions

Website

https://hydrants.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1857

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kupferle Water Solutions, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, manufactures chlorine analyzers, automatic flushing devices, intelligent water-quality monitoring stations, sampling stations, and hydrants for municipal water utilities in the US and Canada, selling exclusively through a 50+ waterworks distributor and manufacturer-rep network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Quality Management Hardware

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Totalizing Fluid Meters & Counting Devices (3824)

akta.pro primary industry

Distribution System Water Quality & Integrity Monitoring (residuals, DBPs, nitrification, corrosion) (EUANAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG), Disinfection & Oxidation (Chlorine/Chloramine, UV, Ozone, AOP) (EUANABAD), Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK), Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)

Keywords

• Water quality management
• Automatic flushing stations
• Water distribution hydrants
• Bacteriological sampling stations
• Chlorine residual monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Water Infrastructure Hardware Sales: One-time sale of physical water monitoring, flushing, and distribution equipment including intelligent monitoring stations, automatic flushing devices, sampling stations, post hydrants, blow-offs, yard hydrants, and plant washdown products. Products sold through waterworks distributors.
2. Replacement Parts: Sale of replacement parts and components for all product lines including controllers, valves, sensors, enclosures, and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kupferle Water Solutions manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of American-made water quality management hardware for potable water distribution systems, including chlorine analyzers, automatic flushing stations, intelligent monitoring/flushing devices, dedicated EPA-permitted sampling stations, post flushing hydrants, blow-offs, plant washdown hydrants, and yard hydrants. Its Eclipse i-Series products combine chlorine analyzers, PLC controllers, and cellular communication to enable automated chlorine-residual maintenance and 24/7 cloud/SCADA-connected water quality monitoring. All products are sold exclusively through waterworks distributors served by a network of 50+ manufacturer representatives across the US and Canada.

Product overview

Kupferle Water Solutions is a manufacturer of water quality management products headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, with over 160 years of history (founded 1857). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of water distribution system products organized into six main product lines: (1) Intelligent Monitoring and Flushing (Eclipse i-Series) - monitoring stations and flushing devices that track water quality parameters like chlorine residual, turbidity, pH, pressure, and temperature; (2) Automatic Flushing Stations - programmable devices that flush dead-end mains on scheduled basis to maintain chlorine residuals; (3) Sampling Stations (Eclipse and MainGuard brands) - EPA-compliant dedicated sampling stations for bacteriological testing; (4) Post Hydrants and Blow-Offs - flushing hydrants for dead-end water mains including Eclipse, MainGuard, and Truflo sub-brands; (5) Plant and Wash Down equipment for water/wastewater treatment facilities; and (6) Yard Hydrants for non-potable outdoor applications. Products are sold through distribution with manufacturer representatives across the US and Canada. The company also offers a Water Quality Road Show with Technology Vans for product demonstrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eclipse: Product line including intelligent monitoring and flushing products, automatic flushing devices, post hydrants, blow-offs, and sampling stations.
• MainGuard
• Truflo
• Corn King

Products and services

• Eclipse i-Series Intelligent Monitoring and Flushing

Quantifiable outcome

• Automatic flushing stations flush up to 50% less water than flushing fire hydrants while maintaining water quality
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Waterworks Distributors (US and Canada)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKupferle sells exclusively through waterworks distributors across the US and Canada. Distributors handle quotes, ordering, and fulfillment to end-user utilities. This is the primary revenue channel for all products.
• Manufacturer Representatives (50+ US/Canada)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 50 independent manufacturer representatives covering all 50 US states and Canada. Examples include S&S Utility Sales (Alabama), Frank J. Martin Company (Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, British Columbia), Ten Point Sales (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah), and many regional firms. Representatives provide sales support and customer relationships for distribution.
• NSF InternationalcoreOthersThird-party certification organization providing NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI 372 certifications for Kupferle products, verifying compliance with drinking water safety standards and lead-free requirements.
• US Environmental Protection AgencycoreOthersEPA provides regulatory framework that Kupferle products comply with, including Total Coliform Rule language allowing use of sampling stations, Reduction of Lead Drinking Water Act, AIS requirements, and ARRA compliance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hydro Instruments: Specialty manufacturer of chlorine gas feed and water treatment disinfection equipment. Closely comparable in niche specialization around chlorine chemistry for water treatment, an adjacent capability to Kupferle's chlorine-residual monitoring focus.
• Clow Valve: Manufacturer of hydrants, valves, and water distribution products for municipal water systems. Direct competitor in the hydrant and waterworks equipment category with overlapping utility customers.
• American AVK: US manufacturer of valves, hydrants, and water distribution products serving municipal and industrial water markets. Direct competitor in the hydrant and distribution-system product category with similar utility-customer focus.
• Kennedy Valve: US manufacturer of fire hydrants and waterworks valves serving municipal water utilities. Directly competes with Kupferle in hydrant product lines and shares the American-made, distributor-channel model.
• A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Co. Family-owned US manufacturer of waterworks products including hydrants, valves, and meter setting equipment. Directly comparable to Kupferle in size, channel approach (distributor-only), and focus on waterworks distribution fittings.

Broad incumbents

• Watts Water Technologies: Public-company manufacturer of water products including valves, hydrants, and water quality components. Overlaps Kupferle across multiple waterworks product categories but with a much broader portfolio and global presence.
• Mueller Water Products: Leading US manufacturer of water infrastructure products including hydrants, valves, and pipe fittings. Broadly overlaps Kupferle in post hydrants and distribution-system water products but operates at much greater scale with a public-company balance sheet.
• Hach (a Danaher company): Global leader in water quality testing and analytical instruments, including chlorine analyzers. Overlaps with Kupferle's intelligent monitoring product line in chlorine and water quality sensors, though focused on bench/portable instruments at much larger scale.
• Badger Meter: Leading US manufacturer of flow metering and smart water management solutions. Compares to Kupferle in the broader water-distribution technology category and increasingly in smart-water data services, though Badger is a public company focused on metering rather than hydrants/flushing.
• Xylem: Global water technology company offering a wide range of water infrastructure, treatment, and smart metering solutions. Overlaps with Kupferle in the distribution-system water quality space and represents the dominant scaled competitor in smart water.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcWPL1-KgaYUh5e6JmuS48Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/kupferle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-kupferle-foundry-company
• Xx.com/kupferlefoundry

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kupferle