Wagner Companies

History of The Wagner Companies

Since our origin in 1850 the Wagner Companies has been dedicated and committed to creating and manufacturing innovativemetal products for the fabricating industry in an atmosphere that is prosperous for our customers and employees. Our mission is to maintain the highest standard of quality and service, and continuously improve our manufacturing methods. We are proud of our progress and growth and are aware of the responsibility of maintaining our leadership and our reputation.
Bob Wagner, President

1850
Julius Wagner starts a blacksmith shop in Buffalo, New York
1870
Julius Wagner moves to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and opens an iron shop.
1890
Adolph F. Wagner begins working at the J. F. Wagner Iron Works and becomes owner in 1890.
1923

Adolph A. Wagner joins his father, Adolph F. Wagner, at the A. F. Wagner Iron Works in 1923.

Founder of what we now know as R & B Wagner, Inc., Adolph A. Wagner grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under the Wagners' creative hands, the Iron Works becomes one of the city's largest and most important industrial enterprises. The company fabricates structural steel, miscellaneous and ornamental iron, wire work and metal products for all types of industrial, manufacturing, municipal and residential buildings; and bridge and viaduct railings. The A. F. Wagner Iron Works is known for bridges throughout the country.

1947
Adolph A. Wagner develops the first hydraulically operated tractor loaders and acquires the first patents. Wagner dominates the market until 1953 when other companies begin to compete with the loaders. Click here to learn more about Wagner Tractor Loaders. Download the Wagner Tractor Loader Owner's Manual.
1950
1955
Adolph finds his capacity for invention as strong as ever. At the age of 59, he begins working on the products that R & B Wagner, Inc. is famous for today. With his basement as his work shop, he designs approximately forty products – basic fittings including two sizes of elbows, flanges and connectors. Today those forty-some products have grown into over 11,000 catalog items.
1964
Advance Stamping Co., Inc. is purchased. The companies had been operating in the same location with Advance Stamping Co., Inc. manufacturing the products that R & B Wagner, Inc. distributed.
1965
Robert A. Wagner joins his father, Adolph A. Wagner, at R & B Wagner, Inc. with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
1968
Barbara Wagner Karol joins the Wagner team.
1985
Advance Stamping purchases Superior Polishing to provide in-house polishing services.
1987
The company moves to a 77,000 square foot facility on Milwaukee's northwest side.
1993
Johann Tube and Pipe Benders, Inc. is purchased. Johann was established in 1935 to serve the bending and end forming needs of local industrial firms.
1997
J. G. Braun Co. of Skokie, Illinois joins the Wagner family. With a history that dates to 1887, the Braun reputation, product line and staff expertise add to the continued success and strength of Wagner.
2001
R & B Wagner, Inc., J.G. Braun Co., Advance Stamping Co. Inc., Johann Tube and Pipe Benders, Inc. and Wagner Ornamental combine to form one legal entity – R & B Wagner, Inc.
2002
The three facilities of R & B Wagner, Inc. in Wisconsin move to one central location – 10600 West Brown Deer Road on Milwaukee's north side.
2005
R & B Wagner, Inc. uses 33 presses – many with coil feeds, straighteners and coil handling equipment; 14 rotary benders; 2 induction benders; 2 roll benders, saws; cut-off machines; 12 polishing and finishing machines; welders; hand finishers; a complete tool and die shop with CNC milling and wire EDM machines; CNC lathe; Waterjet Cutting; and material handling and storage equipment to meet the needs of our customers. While we move forward toward ISO certification, our quality control department presently uses established standards that equal ISO requirements.
Wagner Companies facility
Wagner Companies, Today
124th street Wagner Facility
124th Street Facility in Wauwatosa, WI

Hornbach and Wagner
Hornbach & Wagner circa 1850
Adolph Wagner
Julius Wagner
Adolph F. Wagner
Julius Wagner
J.G. Braun Company
J.G. Braun circa 1892
Adolph and Florence Wagner
Adolph A. Wagner
Florence Wagner
Wagner Tractor Loader
First hydraulically operated tractor loader
Click here to learn more about Wagner Tractor Loaders. 
Download the Wagner Tractor Loader Owner's Manual.

Download the Wagner Little Giant Brochure
Download the Wagner Riding Tractors Model 450 and Model 700 Brochure
Gladstone Ave Wagner Facility
Gladstone Avenue Facility in Milwaukee, WI, circa 1964
Bob and Barbara
Bob Wagner, Owner/President
Barbara Karol, Owner/Treasurer