Our History

Since 1957, we’ve been committed to providing the highest level of value and experience to our partners.

1957

California Hydronics Corporation (CHC) was founded by Thomas E. Brewer, John W. Littleton, and Milton P. McLeod to serve the mechanical trades industry as a manufacturer representative of hydronic heating equipment, steam components, heat transfer equipment, and plumbing accessories.

1970

The FlowTherm Systems division was formed when CHC expanded into the prefabricated equipment space by developing packaged systems that use many of the manufacturer components CHC represents. FlowTherm Systems provides a pre-engineered, packaged product that overcomes partners’ unique financial, dimensional, and timeline constraints.

1970–1992

We’re growing—and fast! During this time we moved to larger facilities three times before landing in our current location in Hayward, California. The more than 45,000-square-foot facility boasts warehouse and office space and a manufacturing and fabrication facility. Two additional 5,000-square-foot facilities were opened in this time in Rocklin, California, and Reno, Nevada.

1998

FlowTherm Systems received Underwriter Laboratories (UL) approval status—providing customers the assurance that FlowTherm products are built to rigid specifications and code compliance. FlowTherm Systems has since received IAPMO, NSF/ANSI 61 and approval by the City of Los Angeles.

2001

We’ve expanded up the Pacific Coast from Hayward, California after acquiring a renowned company in Vancouver, Washington. Renamed Columbia Hydronics Company to mirror the “CHC” in California Hydronics Corporation. The expansion gave access to a large portion of business in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska.

2009

CHC Pacific division was formed, which markets and sells products for overseas projects, concentrating on Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, South Pacific, and US military installations in Japan and South Korea.

2011

After 53 years of dedication and hard work, CHC employees purchased the company through an employee stock ownership program (ESOP). We are 100 percent employee-owned. The ESOP helps fund retirement, build accountability, and influence productivity and collaboration.

2012-Present

We continue to grow! CHC has expanded to over 150 employees, we have updated our brand identity and website, and opened our new office in Vancouver, WA. What hasn't changed is that we remain committed to providing the highest level of value and expertise to our partners.