This year, 2026, Graco, worldwide leaders in fluid handling, are marking their 100th anniversary; a rare milestone for a manufacturing company and a moment that reflects a century of resilience, innovation and growth.
Founded in a Minnesota garage by two very different brothers, one an inventor, the other a businessman, the company began with a single solution to a real-world problem and has since grown into a global leader serving manufacturing, construction and industrial markets.
Over the past century, Graco has navigated major inflection points, from rapidly shifting to wartime production during World War II to evolving alongside decades of technological and economic change, while maintaining its engineering core and customer-first approach.
As manufacturers today face workforce shortages, automation decisions and long-term competitiveness challenges, Graco’s centenary offers a compelling real-world case study in how companies can adapt across generations without losing their identity.
