Lee Brass - Company History

Lee Brass History

LEE BRASS is a worldwide vendor of brass and bronze castings to original equipment manufacturers in a full range of industries. The business participates in four markets: plumbing and industrial, commercial casting, water works, and marine products for the U. S. Navy.

LEE BRASS has provided employment in Calhoun County since 1919 when the operations began as “Lee Brothers”, a business created by twin brothers Arthur and Alfred Lee. The Lee brothers went into business with one employee, operating on $550 of borrowed money, in a 1,200 square foot building, and manufacturing only one product. That product, brass clean-out plugs for the soil pipe industry, continues to be a significant segment of the business. Four years later, they began furnishing rough castings to M & H Valve Company, and in the late 1920’s started making a few brass fittings under their own name. Copper plumbing was an infant at that time and, because of slow housing starts during the Great Depression and the restrictions of World War II, had a slow growth over the next 15 years.

During the war, the company had a great production record, primarily for the shipbuilding industry, and by 1946 had 250 employees and 63,000 square feet of manufacturing space. In the postwar era, as housing soared and copper plumbing gained wide acceptance, Lee Brothers became an important supplier to the plumbing industry with a growing network of agents, warehouses and wholesalers across the country.

LEE BRASS is a major manufacturer in the area and produces one of the highest mold rates in the industry. The process begins by melting scrap metal and metals reclaimed from sand. This melted material is poured into brass ingots that are then melted to a minimum of 1,900 F. and poured into molds to form the castings. Routing from the foundries depends on the type of castings being manufactured. Some castings are routed through grinding, machining, and testing operations before being shipped. Others, which are commercial castings, are cast and shipped to the customer for machining.

LEE BRASS has continued to be committed to producing a quality product at a competitive price, thereby assuring employment stability for our 250 associates. With three foundry operations, full machining capabilities, in-house pattern shop and a sand reclamation plant, the facility now covers 423,000 square feet under roof and is situated on 144 acres of land in Anniston, Alabama.