Reliance Worldwide Corporation
Corporate brand
UnclaimedReliance Worldwide Corporation is an Australian-owned manufacturer and supplier of plumbing water-flow, temperature-control and connection products.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) is an Australian-owned public company that designs, manufactures and supplies products used in plumbing, water heating and water-flow control systems. Its portfolio includes push-to-connect fittings, temperature and pressure valves, water-heating controls, flexible plumbing products and related connection technologies. The company is particularly associated with behind-the-wall push-to-connect plumbing fittings and is described as the world's largest manufacturer in that category. RWC traces its origins to a small tool shop established in Brisbane, Australia, in 1949. During the 1950s, the business developed a series of products intended to improve the safety and reliability of water-heating and plumbing installations, including reduction valves, relief valves, pressure-vacuum relief valves, and pressure-reducing and non-return valves. In 1953, the business introduced the RMC Full Control Valve, a packaged unvented water-heating storage system that combined pressure-reducing and relief functions in a pre-assembled unit. The design reduced the need for ventilation pipes and ceiling cistern tanks and aimed to reduce installation faults and related safety risks. The company expanded through product development and acquisitions. In 1986, Reliance Machinery Company was acquired by GSA Industries Group, an Australian private investment company. In 2000, RWC acquired Yorkshire Fittings, adding brass plumbing and heating products, including the York Flex range. In 2005, GAS and Ryemetal amalgamated to form Reliance Worldwide Corporation (Aust). That same year, the enlarged business entered the United States through the acquisition of Cash Acme, a major manufacturer of temperature and pressure valves. The company began presenting itself internationally as Reliance Worldwide Corporation, reflecting its broader geographic ambitions. RWC became publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2016. Following the listing, it reorganized its operations into three geographic regions: the Americas; Asia-Pacific; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its international footprint subsequently included manufacturing, commercial and distribution activities across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe and India. The company serves plumbing, water-heating, construction, maintenance and building-services markets. Its products are generally sold through trade distribution channels and used by professional installers, plumbing contractors, equipment manufacturers and other participants in residential and commercial building systems. The brand's practical value proposition centers on installation efficiency, control of water pressure and temperature, system safety, compatibility with plumbing applications and reduction of labor-intensive installation steps. RWC experienced material operating pressure in 2020. A profit downgrade attributed to weak conditions in the United Kingdom and Australia was followed in February 2020 by a reported decline of approximately A$970 million in market value. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted operations: the 2020 annual report described leave affecting 40 percent of European staff, a temporary four-day working week for Australian employees and temporary 20 percent salary reductions for senior executives. The same account noted stronger business conditions in the United States. No further corporate developments are established by the supplied reference material.
History
Reliance Worldwide Corporation began in Brisbane, Australia, in 1949 as a small tool shop. The business developed into a specialist manufacturer of plumbing and water-heating controls, with an early emphasis on products intended to regulate pressure and improve installation safety. During the 1950s, the company developed several products described as industry firsts, including reduction valves, relief valves, pressure-vacuum relief valves, pressure-reducing valves and non-return valves. In 1953, RMC introduced the Full Control Valve, a packaged unvented water-heating storage solution. By combining pressure-reducing and relief functions in a pre-assembled product, the system reduced reliance on ventilation pipes and ceiling cistern tanks and sought to limit faulty installations and associated hazards. In 1986, Reliance Machinery Company was acquired by GSA Industries Group, an Australian private investment company. Under the new ownership, the business continued to expand through product development. A significant step in international and product expansion came in 2000, when RWC acquired Yorkshire Fittings and its brass plumbing and heating range, including York Flex products. In 2005, GAS and Ryemetal, described in the reference material as a major supplier, amalgamated to create Reliance Worldwide Corporation (Aust). The new organization also entered the United States through its acquisition of Cash Acme, a high-volume manufacturer of temperature and pressure valves. RWC promoted the Reliance Worldwide Corporation name at the AHR Expo in the United States as it developed a broader international identity. The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2016. After listing, it organized its business into three geographic regions: the Americas; Asia-Pacific; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its stated operating footprint covered Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy and India. RWC's business is centered on water-flow and control products used in plumbing and water-heating systems. Its portfolio combines traditional valves and fittings with push-to-connect technologies designed to simplify installation. The company's international growth has been supported by acquisitions, regional operating structures and a focus on products sold through professional plumbing and building-services channels. The company faced difficult conditions in 2020. A profit downgrade associated with weaker United Kingdom and Australian markets was followed by a reported approximately A$970 million decrease in market value. The COVID-19 pandemic created additional disruption. According to the 2020 annual report as summarized in the reference material, 40 percent of European employees were placed on leave, Australian staff moved temporarily to a four-day week and senior executives accepted 20 percent salary reductions for two months. The report also indicated that United States business was performing strongly during the disruption.
- 2016
Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
[1]RWC became a publicly listed company and reorganized into the Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA geographic regions.
- 2005
Reliance Worldwide Corporation formed and enters the United States
[1]GAS and Ryemetal amalgamated to form Reliance Worldwide Corporation (Aust), while the company entered the United States through the acquisition of Cash Acme.
- 2000
Yorkshire Fittings acquired
[1]RWC acquired Yorkshire Fittings and added its brass plumbing and heating products, including York Flex.
- 1986
Acquisition by GSA Industries Group
[1]Reliance Machinery Company was acquired by GSA Industries Group, an Australian private investment company.
- 1953
RMC Full Control Valve introduced
[1]RMC unveiled a packaged unvented water-heating storage system that combined pressure-reducing and relief functions.
- 1949
Business founded in Brisbane
[1]The company began in Brisbane, Australia, as a small tool shop.
Products and positioning
A global plumbing-component manufacturer focused on water-flow control, water-heating safety, push-to-connect installation technologies and products that improve efficiency and reliability for professional installers.
Water-heating control · 1953
RMC Full Control Valves
Introduced in 1953, the RMC Full Control Valve was a packaged solution for unvented water-heating storage systems. It combined pressure-reducing and relief functions in a pre-assembled unit, reducing the need for separate installation of certain control components and eliminating reliance on ventilation pipes and ceiling cistern tanks in the described application.
Valves
Cash Acme temperature and pressure valves
The Cash Acme portfolio consists of temperature and pressure valve products associated with water-heating and plumbing applications. RWC acquired Cash Acme in 2005 as part of its entry into the United States and its expansion of control-product manufacturing.
Plumbing fittings
SharkBite push-to-connect fittings
SharkBite is a push-to-connect plumbing fitting line associated with RWC's focus on faster installation and behind-the-wall plumbing connections. The fittings are designed for use in water-distribution and plumbing systems and form part of the company's major connection-technology offering.
Flexible plumbing and heating products · 2000
York Flex
York Flex is a brass plumbing and heating product range obtained through RWC's 2000 acquisition of Yorkshire Fittings. It represents the company's expansion beyond valves into plumbing connection and flexible installation products.
Brand decisions
2020
COVID-19 workforce and compensation responseOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted RWC's European and Australian operations, while the company reported stronger business conditions in the United States.
Action taken
The company placed 40 percent of European staff on leave, moved Australian employees to a four-day week and applied temporary 20 percent salary reductions to senior executives for two months.
Aftermath
These measures were described in the 2020 annual report as responses to pandemic disruption; the supplied material does not establish their longer-term effects.
2016
Public listing and geographic reorganizationStrategyBackground
RWC pursued a public-market structure as its operations expanded across multiple international regions.
Action taken
The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and reorganized into the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
Aftermath
The reorganization established a geographic framework for managing the company's global operations.
2005
Enter the United States through Cash Acme acquisitionM&ABackground
The formation of the enlarged Reliance Worldwide Corporation coincided with an effort to establish a direct presence in the United States and broaden the company's valve portfolio.
Action taken
RWC acquired Cash Acme, described as a major high-volume manufacturer of temperature and pressure valves, and promoted the Reliance Worldwide Corporation name internationally.
Aftermath
The transaction became a foundation for RWC's Americas operations and supported its broader international identity.
Sources1 sources
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