Ritchie Industries Inc.
Ritchie manufactures a complete line of horse and livestock watering products to the highest specifications in the industry. Today, 100 years since our founding, we offer a complete line of animal watering products all over the world and can point with pride to an unmatched reputation for quality and integrity. We even receive orders from farmers who tell us they’re still using an original Ritchie fountain they bought 30, 40 and even 50 years ago. Since 2004, we’ve been fully employee owned and we’ve been in the same location on Main Street since 1943. We build our automatic waterers from the ground up, from design to prototype to end product. This allows us to ensure quality from the very beginning.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations and our distributors
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Livestock
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
- 1921
This company also provides solutions for other industrial applications.
Please, visit the following links for more info:
About Us
Fresh Water For Life
A Breakthrough for Farmers
Oskaloosa, Iowa native Thomas Ritchie patented his first water device in 1921 by connecting underground running water to automatic float-controlled watering equipment. Heated with a kerosene lamp, the water remained free flowing in cold weather. Ritchie’s new patented waterer was a revolutionary innovation for farmers, and soon, a business was born.
Building a Legacy
In 1929 Ritchie incorporated and moved to an old machine shed in Marshalltown, and part of the manufacturing took place in a 24′ x 48′ machine shed in Conrad until 1943. That year, blacksmith C.D. Wilson purchased Ritchie, moved the business to Conrad, and operated it out of a small blacksmith shop. Shortly after the move, automatic electric heat was introduced to the watering equipment, helping to establish Ritchie as the leader in the industry.
After his father’s death in 1979, C. D. Wilson Jr. took the reins of the business and expanded its market and the technology of the product. To meet demands, the company had gone from making six models to more than 40, giving it the distinction of being the largest manufacturer and distributor of the most complete line of animal and livestock watering equipment in North America.
A Bright Future
From single horse stall founts to large fountains that accommodate 500 cattle, Ritchie automatic waterers continue to set the standard in quality. So when you buy a Ritchie waterer, you know you’re getting the most dependable product on the market—not to mention the best value, service and warranty in the business. Our history of quality will continue to guide us and our manufacturing process for years to come.
10 Reasons Why Ritchie STANDS OUT
Fresh Water
Trough and valve combinations are sized to provide as much water as your animals want, yet at the same time, limit the amount that sits in the trough when they are not drinking. That way, the water is fresh and clean. Ritchie’s high flow valves are available in two different sizes, depending on the size of the fountain’s trough. Valves are available in different flow capacities to accommodate different supply line pressures.
The Best Warranty in the Industry
Want to know how strongly a company believes in its products? Just look at the warranty and see if it has any teeth in it. At Ritchie, we provide a superior fountain, so we offer a superior 10 year limited warranty program on all our poly products: five years full, followed by five years prorated. Steel products carry a 10 year, 100% warranty on stainless troughs against manufacturing defects and corrosion.
Totally Sealed Polyethylene Units
You might think we’re taking excessive pride in our workmanship, but we can’t help bragging on the fact our heavy-duty, impact resistant, polyethylene fountains are totally sealed so moisture can’t get to the insulation. Our poly is thicker than the competition. In addition, the heavy wall, roto-molded one piece construction employs UV inhibitors for extended life.
Nothing Less Than 304 Stainless
There are cheaper grades of stainless steel out there, but you won’t find them in Ritchie fountains. Our steel troughs are made of 304 stainless—the ultimate in durability and corrosion resistance.
Heavy Duty, but not heavy
Compare a Ritchie fountain with the concrete water unit offered by the competition. Our troughs don't pit, they're easy to clean, they're economical to heat and they don't compromise the cleanliness of the water. Two people can install a Ritchie fountain, but you'll need heavy equipment to install a concrete unit. Ritchie fountains use 75% less energy than concrete.
Designed with Animal Safety in Mind
All of Ritchie’s stainless steel troughs have hemmed edges to make them smooth and blunt. Of course, our heavy-duty poly fountains have smooth, curved surfaces. All heated stainless steel troughs tested to United States, Canadian or European applicable standards.
Smart Design Keeps Things in Working Order
Our water seal design eliminates the need for gaskets that can freeze, crack and tear. No one else uses this superior sealing technology to keep cold air away from the valve, which is the heart and soul of any fountain. By protecting our high capacity valves, we’re protecting your investment.
'Grade A' Dairy Recommendations
You don’t have to search the entire Ritchie product line for a fountain that meets Grade A dairy recommendations—they all do!
Minimal Energy Costs
Designed with efficient energy use in mind, Ritchie fountains keep from freezing without much cost. The costs below represent an entire year's energy costs, calculated at a rate of 8 cents per kilowatt hour. They are derived from university and Ritchie testing and have been adjusted by the degree days for each area. This illustrates the impact that poly construction has on energy usage, as well as the effect covered troughs have on energy efficiency.
Long, Long Life
Many livestock producers only buy a Ritchie fountain once every 30 years or so, but that’s because their original Ritchie fountain has served them faithfully for all 30 years! Pride in workmanship is still one of the hallmarks of the Ritchie business and we make it easy on you by building fountains you can rely on, day in and day out. Once you find the right fountain for your operation, you’ll understand why Ritchie products inspire the kind of loyalty that lasts for years.