Posted on February 16th, 2026

For a company like Victaulic, National Engineers Week is always a moment of pride and anticipation. Now more than 100 years strong, our engineering roots remain at the heart of who we are. As we celebrate this annual event, we reflect on the people, ideas, and innovations that not only shape our industry, but make it great. From day one, Victaulic has committed to providing a world-class engineering environment, where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are valued, and careers can grow without limits.

Engineering From the Very Beginning

Victaulic’s engineering roots began in 1919 when two men invented the idea of a grooved mechanical pipe coupling. Ernest Tribe, a British Royal Engineers Lieutenant, joined with Dr. Henry Selby Hele-Shaw, a prestigious engineer, to develop a faster, more reliable way to join pipes after Tribe’s experiences in World War I. With this breakthrough, The Victaulic Company Ltd. was formed, and a new era for the mechanical trades began.

Victaulic engineers quickly began making their mark with grooved pipe couplings and fittings, as well as world known and projects that have stood the test of time. In 1932, Victaulic developed grooved solutions for joining 3,500 feet of pipe during the construction of the Panama Canal. A decade later, a new design for flexible couplings made from malleable iron was used to join pipes on the SS John W Brown, a Liberty ship built during World War II. The design was so robust that the original joints remain in place today. That same innovative spirit lives on as the Style 77 flexible grooved coupling, still a hallmark of reliability.

Engineering Landmark Projects Around the World

Victaulic engineers also played a key role in the rise of skylines across American cities. From enabling a 25-mile pipe network within Chicago’s former Sears Tower, a network engineered to withstand building sway and extreme seasonal temperature changes, to supporting fire protection systems that safeguard commercial and residential structures worldwide, Victaulic’s engineering ingenuity is woven into some of the world’s most recognizable places.

Victaulic engineers also played a key role in the rise of skylines across American cities. Our solutions help power and protect engineering feats such as Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Whether at the top of the tallest towers or deep within the world’s most challenging mining environments, Victaulic engineers are there.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers

Each year, more than 70 engineering societies and government organizations come together to support Engineers Week. Their shared mission is to promote the ways engineering has raised our quality of life and to emphasize the importance of math, science and technology education. The industry’s future relies on inspiring students to consider engineering as a career and highlighting the awe-inspiring things they can create.

Victaulic stands out among its peers because of its innovative culture. We are truly focused on developing best in class technology and providing the resources to support those efforts. As a privately held company, we have the ability and patience to support long-term growth opportunities. Victaulic’s commitment to product and process development is truly what set it apart. As a core part of our current and future success, engineers continue to be at the forefront of Victaulic, driving us forward with a passion for innovation.