Elka Industries, Inc. has been in business since 1962. We began plastic injection molding hardware related items to where metal components were more commonly used. As the markets expanded and more reliable plastics were engineered, Elka Industries, Inc. introduced the concept of plastic components to the toilet manufacturing industry. This industry at the time utilized more brass and zinc in its flushing components. Plastic offered a less expensive, more dependable material to manufacture the control valve, flush valve and trip levers for the conventional gravity flush toilet.

Mr. Walter Ott, founder of Elka Industries, Inc. began his trade as a tool and die maker. He and his wife worked nights in the back of a warehouse where he would run molds processing nylon wall anchors. Under patent protection in the mid 1960's, Mr. Ott was able to expand this market throughout Canada and the United States quite rapidly. The anchors were of a unique design that offered a strong wall mount for concrete and plaster. The Elka PLUG became quite popular and earned a large market share in the fastener market. As business grew, Mr. Ott decided to expand Elka's production capability and decided that he would need investors to do so. In 1965 Mr. Tony Mantia purchased 12% of Elka Industries, Inc. shares.

In 1971 Elka leased at 1147 Bellamy a 8,000 sq/ft building where they were able to bring in larger plastic injection molding machinery and large cavitation molds. Sales grew rapidly and opportunities into other products were becoming greater and greater. Elka Industries, Inc. had a place in the plastic manufacturing market, so Mr. Ott ventured into other industries that would offer high volume production. The toilet trip lever and bolt cap business offered just that.
Elka Industries, Inc. initially offered plastic trip levers to Crane Plumbing of the US and with some creative engineering a new era of tank levers was born. Elka also held a patent on the “Snap Fit” function of the bolt cap and washer. Many other toilet manufactures followed in the introduction of plastic trip levers and bolt caps and today has proven to be the norm throughout the market.

In 1987 Mr. Tony Mantia purchased an additional 38% of the Elka Industries, Inc. shares and became a full partner in the ongoing day to day business. Mr. Ott decided at this time it was time to wind down and in 1990, Mr. Tony Mantia purchased the balance of the company shares and became sole owner of Elka Industries, Inc. Business continually grew and once again expansion was needed.

In 1994, on May 2nd Elka Industries, Inc. moved into its present location at 155 Nantucket Blvd, where we have been able to double our sales since 1994 and increase our manufacturing/warehouse capacity to 18 machines and 60,000sq/ft of building. At present we manufacture over 10,000,000 toilet trip levers annually along with a variety of plumbing related items in over 8 different types of materials. We also offer a complete packaging and assembly program and in August of 1999 we were registered as a ISO 9001. Along with our quality and verification processes, we are able to offer our manufacturing capabilities to most injection molded product industries.

We thank you for your patronage and support.

Joe Mantia
General Manager-Elka Industries Incorporated.