The Story So Far ...

Founded in nearby Preston, partners Ervin Steinmann and the late Elmer Schlegel, moved their fledgling foundry business to the former Hahn Brass Works on Waterloo Street in New Hamburg in 1969. For Ervin, now retired, it was a homecoming.  He was returning to the place where he had first worked in the industry and mastered the casting trade.

Over the last four decades, Riverside Brass can truly claim to have moved with the times. The original workforce of just 2 is now over 125.  The early client list, dominated by two customers, has risen to over 100.  In recent years, the business has consolidated its focus on the manufacturing sector producing a wide range of quality industrial castings for major North American customers, primarily serving the water and electrical markets.

The symbol of that success is Riverside's spacious 42,000 square foot foundry that was built on a 5-acre industrial site.  Officially opened in September 1996, the $5.5 million computer-controlled foundry was designed from the ground up to handle large-run castings delivering maximum control and quality. Riverside also maintains its original Waterloo Street facility offering additional capacity and state-of-the-art technology in medium and large run castings.

Family ownership, a key feature of the Riverside success story, has also been undergoing change. Ervin Steinmann retired in late 1999 after 33 years at the helm of this highly successful company. His sons-in-law, David N. Seyler (married to Susan) and Lynn Yantzi (married to Nancy), became Co-Presidents of Riverside Brass & Aluminum Foundry Limited. Son, Doug Steinmann became Vice President.

The Riverside Brass Team, includes a highly skilled workforce that takes pride in every task, now stands poised to continue to be a leader in the foundry industry during a new period of growth and challenge. The company continues to build on a proud tradition of casting and looks forward to serving customer needs with the best products the industry has to offer.

(This short history was drawn in part from "The Story of Riverside Brass," a 30-page booklet published on the company's 30th anniversary in 1996. For a free copy email us at sales@riversidebrass.com)