Category: AGF News

This year marks a remarkable milestone at AGF Manufacturing: 40 years of unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and domestic manufacturing in the fire sprinkler industry. Since our founding in 1986, we’ve stood tall as one

of the few family-owned American manufacturers serving the fire sprinkler industry, and we couldn’t be prouder of the journey we’ve taken. From the very beginning, our mission was clear: simplify life-safety systems, reduce labor burdens for contractors, and give engineers and designers products they could rely on. That vision began with a breakthrough; the original TESTanDRAIN Model 1000 single-handle inspector’s test valve, invented to replace a complex loop of 17 components with one intuitive solution. That spark of innovation didn’t just solve a problem; it started a legacy.

MALVERN, PA, December 2, 2025 – AGF, a leading manufacturer of innovative fire sprinkler solutions, is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Wolseley Canada. This agreement strengthens AGF’s presence in the Canadian fire protection market and expands access to its full line of innovative fire sprinkler products.

Wolseley Canada is the country’s largest national distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection products and supports contractors and engineers through more than 220 locations across Canada. This partnership will ensure improved availability of AGF products, including TESTANDRAIN valves, PURGENVENT Air Vents, COLLECTANDRAIN auxiliary drains, RISERPACK manifolds, and the Flood Eliminator.

“Wolseley Canada is an ideal partner for AGF,” said Jim McHugh, President of AGF Manufacturing. “Their national reach and strong reputation for customer service will make it easier for contractors and fire protection professionals across Canada to access our products. We look forward to supporting Wolseley customers with the quality and reliability AGF is known for.”

Through this agreement, Wolseley Canada will distribute AGF’s full product range, offering faster delivery and consistent availability for fire protection contractors nationwide.

For nearly 40 years, AGF Manufacturing has been guided by the same principles it was founded: innovation, integrity, and a commitment to the fire protection industry. But what truly sets AGF apart isn’t just its reputation for quality, it’s

the fact that it has remained a proudly family-owned, American manufacturer from the start.

AGF’s story began in 1986, when George J. McHugh III partnered with Alan Gilmore to solve a problem in the fire sprinkler world. Their solution, the original TESTANDRAIN Model 1000, replaced a complex assembly of 17 separate components with a single handle, multi-function valve. It was a simple but powerful innovation that changed the industry. That spirit of problem solving and practical engineering continues to define AGF today.

Marking the Third Generation of Family Leadership

Malvern, PA — June 11, 2025 — AGF Manufacturing, a leading innovator in the fire sprinkler industry, is proud to announce the hiring of George “Joe” McHugh as Director of Operations. This milestone marks the continuation of a proud family tradition, as Joe becomes the third generation of the McHugh family to help lead the company.
Joe brings over a decade of operations and logistics leadership from Amazon, where he most recently served as a Senior Program Manager for Amazon Logistics ACES. Throughout his 11-year tenure, he led large-scale process improvement initiatives, launched and optimized logistics delivery stations across North America, and implemented lean principles to enhance efficiency and performance.

AGF Manufacturing proudly welcomes Steve Tajer as our new Regional Sales Manager for the Southern U.S.

With a territory covering Texas to the top of North Carolina, Steve will work closely with fire protection contractors, distributors, and industry partners to support AGF’s mission of delivering innovative, reliable solutions for the fire protection industry. He’ll focus on providing product knowledge, technical support, and strengthening relationships across the region.

Steve brings over a decade of experience in commercial construction, including nearly five years in fire protection sales. His hands-on industry knowledge and commitment to customer service make him a strong addition to the AGF team.

We’re excited to have Steve on board—please join us in welcoming him to AGF!