Company History
INDUSTRIAL PROCESS EQUIPMENT EXCELLENCE SINCE 1974
From a two-man operation to a renowned industry leader.
R-V was founded in 1974 in Honey Brook, PA by Ronald L. Putt and Victor D. Dodd as a small job shop offering custom manufacturing services. In August of 1977, R-V experienced a major fire that virtually destroyed our entire facility, but rather than be deterred, Ron and Vic resolved to rebuild and come back stronger than ever. By September of 1980, R-V’s manufacturing space had been repaired, and our facilities expanded through the 1980s and 1990s to meet rising demand.
Since then, we have grown and diversified through the strategic acquisition of specialized manufacturing companies, and we now boast an in-house engineering team, extensive market-specific expertise, and over 160,000 square feet of fabrication and assembly space. Our expertise as a trusted provider of industrial process equipment is supported by a variety of Fortune 500 customers and technically proven by over 300 certified weld procedures.
Company Timeline
1974 RonVic Associates Formed
The first operation was in a garage on White School Road, in Honey Brook, PA
1975 RonVic Associates Moves
In 1975 RonVic Associates moves to their current location on Poplar Road, Honey Brook, PA
1976 Incorporated as R-V Industries, Inc.
1977 First Addition Built
The first expansion was added to the original steel building.
1977 Major Fire
In August of 1977, R-V experienced a major fire that virtually destroyed our entire facility, but rather than be deterred, Ron and Vic resolved to rebuild and come back stronger than ever. By September of 1980, R-V’s manufacturing space had been repaired, and our facilities expanded through the 1980s and 1990s to meet rising demand.
1980 Three Story Office Building Completed
To facilitate the company’s growth, a three story office building was constructed for management and manufacturing support staff.
1984 Team Tech Machine
Team Tech Machine was formed establishing R-V’s machining group in Honey Brook, PA.
1984 Manufacturing Facility Expansion
R-V’s commitment to supply superior products and services at a competitive price with integrity proves to be a valuable mission. Additional machining and fabrication space is required just 10 years after the company was formed.
1986 CryoChem Acquired
R-V acquires CryoChem, a manufacturer of ASME Section VIII rated pressure vessels for the chemical industry. The acquisition created a blueprint for company growth through vertical expansion into numerous industries.
1987 Manufacturing Expansion
Manufacturing space nearly doubles as R-V continues to provide products to a growing list of satisfied customers.
1987 Treatment Technologies
Treatment Technologies was formed. Custom engineered water and wastewater treatment systems designed to meet EPA pretreatment standards using slant tube clarification technology and cross-flow membrane filtration.
1987 Ash Handling Division
R-V expands their capabilities into the power plant industries ash handling market. R-V provided engineering and manufacturing of vacuum and pressure systems, dry fly ash conveyors, bottom ash conveyors, bins, silos, hoppers and unloading systems.
1991 All Divisions to Operate as R-V Industries, Inc.
All divisions under R-V merged to operate as one company. During this time office space expanded into the nearby town of Elverson, PA.
1994 Maintenance Building
In 1994 a separate maintenance building was added allowing more manufacturing space on the main shop floor.
1996 Ash Handling Division Sold
R-V’s Ash Handling Division was sold.
1997 APTEC Acquired
R-V acquires APTEC, CMSI and expands their market into the combustion power generation with engineering services and manufacturing of OEM replacement and upgraded parts associated with tangentially and wall fired power plants.
1997 Office Expansion
R-V expands Honey Brook office space and consolidates the Boyertown and Elverson, PA locations to the corporate headquarters in Honey Brook, PA.
1998 Manufacturing Expansion
R-V creates additional manufacturing space for the fossil power, water treatment, and ASME vessel markets.
2001 Manufacturing in Morgantown, PA
With increased market share in the chemical and petrochemical markets, R-V added manufacturing space in Morgantown, PA, where fabrication of large vessels and columns are formed and tested.
2001 LG Industries Acquired
R-V acquired LG Industries, formerly of Wagontown, PA, a paper mill machinery company supplying mill process equipment across the United states.
2002 Rainbow Valley Daycare
As the company grew, so did the needs of the employees. R-V opened a corporate daycare down the street from the manufacturing plant. The daycare included a fenced in playground and experienced childhood education workers. The daycare is still thriving today.
2004 Implement NQA-1 Program
R-V enhances their quality program with a NQA-1 (Nuclear Quality Assurance-1) certification. Complementing R-V’s current engineering and manufacturing strengths, this certification allows R-V to service a broader range of customer requirements.
2006 Beta Star Life Science Equipment Acquired
Originally established in 1982 as a sterilizer service company, Beta Star was purchased by R-V Industries. Decades of sterilization experience combined with R-V’s state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities are combined to become a leader in the steam sterilizer industry.
2007 Prospect Capital Acquires R-V Industries, Inc.
Prospect Capital Corporation is a leading publicly-traded Business Development Company. Prospect makes debt and equity investments in U.S. middle market businesses across a range of industries. “Prospect has enabled the generational transfer of our company, and we look forward to continuing our growth with Prospect’s backing,” said Kirk Putt, CEO of R-V.
2009 High Nickel Alloy Fabrication Facility
R-V expanded 26,000 square feet of fabrication space to satisfy customer stringent sanitary requirements for the fabrication of high nickel alloys including common grade stainless steel and specialty alloys such as: Inconel, Hastalloy, Monel, RA 253 MA® , 353MA, and many others.
2012 AccuDraft Acquired
R-V completes acquisition of AccuDraft, LLC, based out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The acquisition expands R-V’s existing engineering services and customer base. AccuDraft has provided design and drafting services to industrial and engineering clients for over 34 years.
2017 Genesis Packaging Technologies Acquired
R-V purchases Genesis Packaging Technologies, Exton, PA. Genesis Packaging Technologies is a worldwide leader in the science and technology of parenteral vial sealing and residual seal force testing. R-V will retain the Genesis employees and continue operations at its existing Exton, PA location as the “Genesis Packaging Technologies” division of R-V.
2022 MBC Aerosol Joins R-V Industries
R-V acquires MBC Aerosol, located in Elgin, IL. MBC is the preeminent source for aerosol processing and packaging equipment and services. The MBC acquisition is R-V’s first outside of Pennsylvania. Growth in multiple regions provides company and employee growth opportunities that are key to attracting and retaining talent.
