Elkhart Products Corporation is a manufacturer of wrought copper tube fittings and copper connection system components for plumbing, AC, and refrigeration. Founded in 1940 in Elkhart, Indiana (initially screw machine products), Elkhart added wrought copper fittings in the late 1950s after acquiring machinery from Chase Brass and Copper. Now part of Aalberts Industries N.V. and one of the world's largest manufacturers of wrought copper fittings.
Product Lines
- Wrought Copper Solder Fittings: Elbows (90° and 45°, street and fitting), tees, couplings, reducers, caps, unions, adapters; DWV, plumbing, ACR, and medical gas sizes
- TECTITE Push-Fit: No-torch push-fit copper fittings; internal grab ring and O-ring seal; no tools beyond tube cutter and deburring
- CopperLOC Push-Fit: Second push-fit copper connection product line
- APOLLOXPRESS Press-Fit (introduced 2011): Press tool required; mechanical crimp connection without torch; straight fittings, elbows, tees, adapters, press valves; compatible with standard press tool jaws
Why Contractors Specify Elkhart
- One of the world's largest wrought copper fitting manufacturers; deep product inventory across fitting types and sizes
- Wrought copper: better mechanical properties and more consistent wall thickness than cast copper
- TECTITE: flame-free push-fit for occupied buildings, hospitals, fire-sensitive environments
- APOLLOXPRESS: flame-free press-fit with mechanical crimp for buried/concealed copper applications
- Part of Aalberts Industries global manufacturing and distribution network
How to Choose Elkhart Products
Standard copper soldering: Elkhart wrought copper pressure fittings in matching tube OD. No-torch required: TECTITE or CopperLOC push-fit (no press tool) or APOLLOXPRESS press-fit (press tool required). Buried or concealed: use APOLLOXPRESS press-fit over push-fit for a permanent mechanical connection that doesn't rely on O-ring condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Founded? 1940 in Elkhart, Indiana; wrought copper fittings added late 1950s.
- Who owns Elkhart? Aalberts Industries N.V.; one of the world's largest wrought copper fitting manufacturers.
- TECTITE vs. APOLLOXPRESS? TECTITE: push-fit, O-ring and grab ring, no tools needed. APOLLOXPRESS: press-fit, press tool required, mechanical crimp.
- What is wrought copper? Manufactured by hot/cold working from copper billet; work-hardened body, consistent wall thickness, better mechanical properties than cast copper.
- ACR fittings? Yes. Elkhart has manufactured AC and refrigeration copper fittings since the late 1950s.