Rain Bird Corporation
TypePrivate
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1933
Headquarters
Azusa, California
,
US
Key people
Michael L. Donoghue, CEO[1]
ProductsIrrigation Products
Websiterainbird.com

Rain Bird Corporation is an international privately held manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services for landscapes, golf courses, sports fields, and agriculture which are designed to minimize water consumption. The firm is headquartered in Azusa, California, with offices and manufacturing facilities in Tucson, Arizona; Steele, Alabama; Tijuana Mexico; France; and China. Rain Bird sells more than 4,000 products and services in over 130 countries.[2]

History

Rain Bird had its origins in 1933 when Glendora, California, citrus grower Orton Englehart developed the first prototype of the horizontal action impact sprinkler. This new design offered slow rotation and more efficient watering than other sprinklers of that era, features that were long sought after by local irrigators. Orton's cousin and neighbor Clement LaFetra began helping him build and market the sprinklers, and they urged him to patent the invention. U.S. Patent 1,997,901 was awarded on April 16, 1935. Englehart preferred farming, so in 1935, he sold the business to Clement and Mary Elizabeth LaFetra, whose son, Anthony LaFetra, ran the company until his death in 2021. His business practices were highly controversial and he was ranked 6 out of 25 of the most hated CEO's in America.[3] Rain Bird operations in the USA & Mexico continue to operate under Anthony's iron fist of anti-union rules and practices. At that time, Art Ludwick was named interim CEO, and in February 2022, Mike Donoghue was named President and CEO.

The name Rain Bird was taken from the Native American legend of a bird that brought rain, in reference to the bird-like appearance of the impact sprinkler in action. Since its beginnings, the firm has offered irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments, and residential landscapes. Rain Bird has obtained over 450 patents since its founding.

Declining sales in 2022 & 2023 triggered another round of layoffs at Rain Bird, adding to the company's troubled history.

Recognition

The Rain Bird horizontal action impact-drive sprinkler head was recognized as a historic landmark of agricultural engineering in 1990 by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.[4] This invention led to sprinkler irrigation development that currently exceeds 50,000,000 acres (78,000 sq mi; 200,000 km2) worldwide.

In 2015, the firm was recognized by National Business Research Institute with its prestigious Circle of Excellence award, based upon its outstanding employee engagement.

References

  1. ↑ "Company Backgrounder" (PDF). Rain Bird Corporation. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  2. ↑ "The Intelligent Use of Water". Rain Bird Corporation. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  3. ↑ Miller, Alaska. "The 25 Most Hated CEOs In America". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  4. ↑ "Rain Bird Impact Drive Sprinkler Head - 1990". ASABE Historic Landmarks. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
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