When it comes to pipe support and hangers, Anvil International (now part of ASC Engineered Solutions) is a name that has defined quality, innovation, and trust for over 150 years. Learn how these industry-leading products evolved from historic roots to modern engineered systems and why they're the go-to choice for contractors, engineers, and specifiers.
Origins in the 19th Century: From Providence to Grinnell
Anvil’s legacy began in the mid‑1800s with the Providence Steam & Gas Pipe Company, later renamed Grinnell Co., by Frederick Grinnell. Grinnell pioneered many of the early pipe safety and sprinkler technologies, laying the foundation for many products in the modern piping industry.
By 1909, Grinnell had expanded into manufacturing pipe fittings, valves, and support components. These products formed the backbone of early piping systems.
Becoming Anvil International: Modernization & Growth
In 2000, the company was officially renamed Anvil International, reflecting its transition into a global leader in piping products, especially in pipe hangers, support systems, and grooved fittings.
This rebranding coincided with key acquisitions in the early 2000s, including Merit Manufacturing, Beck Manufacturing, and Star Pipe Products’ fire division, dramatically expanding Anvil’s capabilities in engineered hanger solutions and mechanical support systems.
Innovation Through Acquisitions: AFCON & Smith‑Cooper
Under a growth-focused strategy by One Equity Partners, Anvil continued to scale:
-
In 2017, it acquired AFCON, a leader in fire protection hangers and seismic bracing, boosting its product line for critical response systems.
-
By 2019, Smith‑Cooper International merged into Anvil, broadening the portfolio with HVAC supports, valves, and additional piping products, strengthening its presence in high-performance mechanical systems.
Engineering Better Pipe Supports
Anvil’s legacy spans over 150 years, with continual R&D into:
-
Standard and seismic pipe hangers (beam clamps, clevis, trapeze)
-
Fire-rated and adjustable hangers for sprinkler systems
-
Grooved and channel attachments, strut system integration
-
Cable hangers and multi-tier supports via acquisition brands like SprinkFLEX and FlexHead
Their products are engineered per MSS SP‑58, ASME B31, and other key standards, ensuring compliant, reliable performance nationwide.
Today’s ASC Engineered Solutions: A Unified Brand
With its merger completed in 2021, Anvil and Smith‑Cooper now operate under the ASC Engineered Solutions name (ASC). Despite the rebranding, the Anvil® brand continues as a flagship line in pipe support, hangers, and accessories.
Today, ASC/Anvil supports pipelines across mechanical, industrial, fire protection, mining, and oil & gas sectors.
Why It Matters for Your Projects
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Heritage & trust | Backed by over 150 years of engineering legacy |
| Comprehensive solutions | From seismic to sprinkler to grooved systems |
| Compliance-ready | Designed to meet ASME, MSS, and code requirements |
| Global sourcing with local service | U.S.-based manufacturing plus worldwide reach |
Need the Right Hanger for the Job?
At Hayward Pipe & Supply Co., we support your piping designs with full access to Anvil/ASC engineered hanger systems.
-
Beam clamps, clevis hangers, trapeze supports
-
AFCON seismic supports and accessories
-
Cable clutch systems and strut-integrated solutions
Whether you’re specifying new piping systems or upgrading supports for compliance or seismic resilience, ASC pipe hangers deliver proven quality with trusted support.
Anvil’s pipe hanger history is a foundation you can build on, engineered support backed by innovation, quality, and over a century of expertise.
