"Since our founding in 1850, Wagner has been dedicated to creating and manufacturing innovative metal products for the fabricating industry while fostering a prosperous environment for our customers and employees. Our mission is to uphold the highest standards of quality and service and to continuously improve our manufacturing methods. We take pride in our progress and growth and remain committed to maintaining our leadership and reputation."
– Bob Wagner, Executive Chair, Board of Directors
With a legacy dating back to 1835, the company's success today reflects the enduring principles and craftsmanship on which it was founded. Originally established by Gustav Wagner over 170 years ago, Wagner transitioned to an employee-owned company in 2015 through the creation of an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). This shift underscores the company’s commitment to its employees and the collaborative spirit that drives its innovation and growth.
Gustav Wagner started a blacksmith shop in Buffalo, N.Y.
Gustav Wagner moved his business to Milwaukee and opened an iron railing and iron works shop at a site that would today be located across from the Milwaukee County Courthouse at 518 N. Market St.
Adolph F. Wagner, the son of Gustav Wagner, founded the A.F. Wagner Iron Works.
Adolph A. Wagner joined his father, Adolph F. Wagner, at A.F. Wagner Iron Works. A Milwaukee native, Adolph A. Wagner became active in the family business, helping transform it into one of the city’s largest and most respected industrial enterprises under the Wagners’ leadership.
The company manufactured structural steel, miscellaneous and ornamental iron, wire work, and metal products for industrial, municipal and residential buildings, as well as bridges. A.F. Wagner Iron Works gained national recognition for its bridge construction
projects across the country.
Adolph A. Wagner developed a hydraulically operated tractor loader and received the first of many patents. He also created one of the first commercially available small garden tractors, the Little Giant. Wagner dominated the market until other companies
began competing with tractor loaders in 1953.
Adolph A. Wagner officially founded the business sector of R&B Wagner, Inc. in 1955. At the time, Wagner still had sister companies that had yet to be unified under the collective R&B Wagner name.
At 59 years old, Adolph A. Wagner began developing the products Wagner is known for today. Using his basement as a workshop, he designed approximately 40 products, including fittings such as elbows, flanges and connectors. Those initial products have since grown into a catalog of more than 4,000 items.
Advance Stamping Company, Inc. was purchased. R&B Wagner had been operating at the same location as Advance Stamping, manufacturing the products R&B Wagner, Inc. distributed.
Robert A. Wagner joined his father, Adolph A. Wagner, in the family business after earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).
Johann Tube and Pipe Benders, Inc. joined R&B Wagner. Established in 1935, Johann served the bending and end-forming needs of local industrial teams. This addition enhances Wagner’s bending capabilities.
Although R&B Wagner, Inc. was founded in 1955, all companies operating under the Wagner name were officially consolidated into one legal entity, R&B Wagner, Inc., in 2001.
Wagner introduces its first illuminated railing system, Lumenrail®.
R&B Wagner, Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary as H&R Polishing joined the company, expanding Wagner's custom polishing capabilities.
Wagner launched its original dry glaze glass shoe molding system, PanelGrip®.
Wagner launched its e-commerce site, now known as shop.wagnercompanies.com.
The Wagner family sold 100% of R&B Wagner’s ownership to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), making Wagner an employee-owned company.
Wagner purchased the assets of Enprocon Inc., including the ENDURALL™ brand of stainless steel junction boxes. The company also celebrated 65 years as R&B Wagner, Inc.
