Empire Industries

Empire Industries has operated as a privately owned, family business since 1942, with its primary manufacturing plant based in Manchester, Connecticut. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the company has built its reputation around piping support hardware rather than mechanical equipment, a narrower focus that has kept its catalog deep in a single category.

Product Lines

The Empire Industries line carried by SupplyHouse centers on pipe hangers and supports, including copper epoxy-coated clevis hangers, Milford hangers, split ring extension hangers, riser clamps, and strut clamps in a range of pipe sizes and finishes. Fasteners and accessories such as fender washers and electro-galvanized hardware round out the assortment, giving plumbing and mechanical crews a single source for hanging and securing pipe runs.

Why Contractors Specify Empire Industries

Pipe support selection rarely gets attention until a hanger fails or a riser clamp is undersized for the load, so plumbers and mechanical contractors favor hardware built to recognized standards such as MSS SP-58 and SP-69. Empire Industries' copper epoxy coating on hangers used with copper pipe prevents the galvanic corrosion that occurs when bare steel hardware contacts copper tube directly. A long manufacturing history in a narrow product category also means sizing and load data are well established, reducing guesswork during rough-in.

How to Choose Empire Industries Products

Hanger and clamp selection starts with matching pipe size and material: copper pipe calls for epoxy-coated or copper-plated hardware to avoid galvanic corrosion, while steel and iron pipe can use standard electro-galvanized or black finishes. Riser clamps should be sized to the pipe's outer diameter and chosen in short-arm or standard-arm configurations based on the available wall clearance. Spacing and support intervals should follow local plumbing code and the pipe manufacturer's span tables rather than a fixed rule of thumb, since interval requirements vary by pipe material and diameter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do copper pipes need epoxy-coated hangers?

Bare steel hardware in direct contact with copper pipe can trigger galvanic corrosion, so epoxy-coated or copper-plated hangers create a barrier that protects both the hanger and the pipe.

What is the difference between a clevis hanger and a riser clamp?

A clevis hanger supports horizontal pipe runs by cradling the pipe from below, while a riser clamp supports vertical pipe by clamping around the pipe and resting on a structural surface or bracket.

What standards do Empire Industries hangers meet?

Many Empire Industries hangers and clamps are manufactured to meet MSS SP-58 and SP-69 industry standards for pipe hangers and supports.

How far apart should pipe hangers be spaced?

Spacing depends on pipe material, diameter, and applicable plumbing code requirements, so installers should consult local code and the pipe manufacturer's span tables rather than a single universal spacing.

What is a Milford hanger used for?

A Milford hanger is a band-style hanger used to support copper or steel pipe from an overhead structure, commonly chosen for its adjustable, clamp-style design in tight installation spaces.