The Verdin Company™ story

CELEBRATING 184 YEARS!

The Verdin Company’s legacy, experience, and passion to innovate have been passed down over six generations. After 184 years, we still use craftsmanship honed over the decades to produce the highest-quality bells, clocks, and towers in the world.

The early days

When two French immigrant brothers, Francis de Sales and Michael Verdin, came to the Cincinnati, Ohio area from Alsace, France in 1835, they were determined to use their iron forging skills to build clocks in America. The two brothers immediately established a tower clock business in the famous Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, where their first documented installation was a clock and bell equipment at Old St. Mary’s Church in 1842.

A milestone few companies reach

Six generations and 184 years later, The Verdin Company has grown from that modest beginning to become the industry leader in bells, bell equipment, restoration, digital carillons, and clocks. One of the nation’s oldest family-owned manufacturers, Verdin is known for innovation – including the electric clock winder in 1910, the first electric bell ringer in 1927, the largest swinging cast bell in America, and the only traveling bell foundry in the world. With a national sales force, a dedicated team of service professionals, and international recognition for craftsmanship, Verdin has over 55,000 installations in churches, universities, municipalities, and businesses across the country.

A six-generation family business

In the tradition of the last several generations The Verdin Company is led by Verdin cousins Bob Verdin and Jill Verdin Crew. They learned the business from, and were inspired by, their fathers after that generation took ownership from their grandfathers. Bob and Jill are the 6th generation of our privately owned business which was founded in 1842.

Quality products and solid customer relationships are Verdin’s most important goals. After more than 184 years, The Verdin Company continues to have an impact on the industry as a pioneer and innovator.

Our values

  • Customer-focused

  • Credible, trusted partner

  • Attention to detail

  • Passion and innovation

  • Quality craftsmanship

  • Long-term relationships

SIX

GENERATIONS

184

YEARS

55,000

INSTALLATIONS

The Verdin timeline

Innovation is the hallmark of Verdin. Since the first installation in 1842, Verdin has pioneered multiple breakthroughs in the bell and clock industry, and acquired several bell foundries and related businesses.

  • 1835

     

    Two French immigrant brothers, Francis de Sales and Michael Verdin, immigrated to the Cincinnati, Ohio area from Alsace, France in 1835, and established the Verdin & Brother company, a tower clock business on Vine and 12th Street.

  • 1842

     

    First installation: Tower clock

    Verdin & Brother built the clock and bell equipment for Old St. Mary’s, Cincinnati, Ohio. Today, the original face and mechanism are still in place, although the weights and pendulum were removed when the clock was electrified by Verdin 100 years after its installation. Old St. Mary’s is the oldest clock tower in Cincinnati, and one of the oldest in the United States.

  • 1910

     

    Invents continuous mechanical winder

    Alois Nicolas Verdin, second generation, invents the continuous mechanical winder for tower clocks. He was recognized as one of the region’s most distinguished inventors in the field of time-keeping.

  • 1927

     

    Creates America’s first electric bell ringer

    As electricity became more widely available, Innes Theopholis (I.T.) Verdin, third generation, invented America’s first electric bell ringer. Prior to his invention, bells were rung by hand by pulling a rope.

  • 1936

     

    4th generation

    In 1934, leadership of the company passed from I.T. Verdin to his sons Robert Verdin, Sr., Ralph Verdin, and Forrest Verdin. Together, they modernized the company’s products and continued the trend set by I.T. Verdin of introducing electrification to many installations that were manually operated.

  • 1950

     

    Introduces electronic bell carillons

    These new carillons amplify bell sounds through speakers.

  • 1955

     

    Acquires Vanduzen Bell Foundry

  • 1971

     

    5th generation

    Fifth generation, James Verdin, Robert Verdin, Jr. and David Verdin take over business. Create national sales force selling tower and street clocks, cast bronze bells, bell ringing equipment and electronic carillons.

  • 1975

    Acquires Deagan Tubular Chime Company

  • 1999

     

    Purchases VanBergen Bell Foundry

    In 1999, Verdin acquired the vanBergen Bell Company that was descended from the vanBergen Bell Foundry originally founded in 1795 in the Netherlands. The Verdin Company services bells from all foundries, including hundreds of vanBergen customers throughout the North America

  • 1999

     

    Creates the world’s largest swinging bell

    Verdin designed and manufactured the world’s largest swinging bell—the 66,600-pound World Peace Bell—to commemorate the Millennium.  This bell remains the largest swinging bell in North America.

  • 2001

     

    Creates world’s only Bell Foundry on Wheels

    To celebrate the Ohio Bicentennial, Verdin created the world’s first traveling bell foundry. The Bell Foundry on Wheels was designed to more easily cast bells on site in each Ohio county.

  • 2002

    Purchases Stoermer Bell Foundry

    The Stoermer Bell Foundry was established in Canada in 1931 when Carl Stoermer emigrated to Kitchener, Ontario.

  • 2006

    Purchases Belltron U.S.A.

  • 2014

     

    Acquires Schulmerich® Carillons

    George J. Schulmerich pioneered the field of electro-mechanical bells and carillons in 1932 with the first digital bell music. He discovered that tiny rods of cast bronze struck with miniature hammers produced audible and pure bell tones that could be amplified electronically to produce a rich, sonorous tone.

  • 2017

     

    In 2017, Verdin celebrates its 175th anniversary as a family business. Verdin has over 55,000 installations worldwide and is the oldest privately-held manufacturing business in Ohio.

Today Verdin is led by the sixth generation of Verdins – cousins Bob Verdin III and Jill Verdin Crew. Like their family members before them, today’s sixth generation leads the industry with old-world craftsmanship, modern technology and innovation offering creative ideas, new clock and bell products, and unparalleled customer service.