ABOUT
US
Designing products with the highest quality since 1915.
Quality Float Works, Inc. manufactures hollow metal float balls and assemblies used to level liquid controls in a variety of industries including gas, plumbing, oil and agriculture applications.
Our products are engineered to the most exacting standards built with the know-how and skilled craftsmanship born out of a lifetime of experience. Our advanced production capacity and in-house design capabilities allow us to develop floats in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to meet the specific needs of our customers.
We are unsurpassed for our design and development of floats for even the most critical control conditions. Our ability to custom build our floats and valves separates us from our competitors; we’ll custom build a float to meet a customer’s requirements, exactly. From steel to copper, our floats and assemblies stand out for both our expert craftsmanship.
We pride ourselves on quality. Each item is tested and inspected at least three times before shipping. We have 100% quality ratings with customers across various industries. Quality is in our products, not just in our name.
Typical product applications include: vacuum pumps/trucks, accumulators, temperature/pressure gauges, corona balls, chemicals, surge tanks, spray balls, pulsation dampeners, liquefied gas storage, electronics, storage vessels, petroleum processing, volume bottles, pumps, valves, check vents/watering troughs, housing water tank, cooling towers, and decorative uses.
Typical industries using Quality Float Works products include: water purification, air quality, oil/gas drilling & exploration, construction, water management, water treatment, agriculture, and tanker trucks.
Customers including Ford, General Dynamics, Grainger, the U.S. Department of Navy, Walt Disney, Aramco, Shell, ABB, and NASA use our products as vital components in the operation of their equipment. Without our floats, their products would not work.
HISTORY
PRINCIPALS
AWARDS
HISTORY
In 1915, Louis Yablin founded Chicago Float Works in his southwest side home in Chicago, Illinois. An immigrant tradesman, he had the know-how in metal spinning that ultimately developed into creating metal floats which became the foundation for the company. During the second World War, Chicago Float Works shifted operations to naval and other government contracts.
Being early pioneers in the global market, in the 1960s the company began exporting outside the United States. In 1995, Chicago Float Works evolved into Quality Float Works, Inc. located in Schaumburg, Illinois and remains a family owned and operated company. Starting in 2011, the company expanded its reach with the launch of distribution centers in U.A.E., Singapore / Indonesia and Spain to serve their growing international customer base.
The ingenuity that launched this company almost 100 years ago continues today. The company is a global competitor in part due to the development of its innovative Quality Float Valve (2001) and QFW Controls (2018) divisions, which sell a variety of float and control valves. Since its inception, total sales have grown by 200 percent and international sales have grown by 300 percent. This vision has allowed the company to grow in times when the manufacturing industry has faced difficulties.
Quality Float Works has upgraded many pieces of equipment over the years. The equipment and our extensive tooling and dies enable us to design specific products to meet customer needs. However, the company still takes a hands-on approach to inspecting and quality control.
In 1915, Louis Yablin founded Chicago Float Works in his southwest side home in Chicago, Illinois. An immigrant tradesman, he had the know-how in metal spinning that ultimately developed into creating metal floats which became the foundation for the company. During the second World War, Chicago Float Works shifted operations to naval and other government contracts.
Being early pioneers in the global market, in the 1960s the company began exporting outside the United States. In 1995, Chicago Float Works evolved into Quality Float Works, Inc. located in Schaumburg, Illinois and remains a family owned and operated company. Starting in 2011, the company expanded its reach with the launch of distribution centers in U.A.E., Singapore / Indonesia and Spain to serve their growing international customer base.
The ingenuity that launched this company almost 100 years ago continues today. The company is a global competitor in part due to the development of its innovative Quality Float Valve (2001) and QFW Controls (2018) divisions, which sell a variety of float and control valves. Since its inception, total sales have grown by 200 percent and international sales have grown by 300 percent. This vision has allowed the company to grow in times when the manufacturing industry has faced difficulties.
Quality Float Works has upgraded many pieces of equipment over the years. The equipment and our extensive tooling and dies enable us to design specific products to meet customer needs. However, the company still takes a hands-on approach to inspecting and quality control.
Global Reach
Quality Float Works, Inc. serves countries all over the world since 1965, including:
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>Aruba
> Austria
> Australia
> Belgium
> Belize
> Bermuda
> Canada
> Chile
> China
> Colombia
> Egypt
> France
> Germany
> Guatemala
> Hong Kong
> Hungary
> India
> Indonesia
> Iraq
> Ireland
> Jamaica
> Jordan
> Kazakhstan
> Malaysia
> Mexico
> Morocco
> Netherlands
> New Zealand
> Nicaragua
> Nigeria
> Oman
> Panama
> Philippines
> Portugal
> Puerta Rico
> Qatar
> Russia
> Saipan
> Saudi Arabia
> Sierra Leone
> Singapore
> Slovenia
> South Africa
> South Korea
> Spain
> Thailand
> Turkey
> Ukraine
> United Arab
Emirates
> United Kingdom
> Vietnam
> Aruba
> Austria
> Australia
> Belgium
> Belize
> Bermuda
> Canada
> Chile
> China
> Colombia
> Egypt
> France
> Germany
> Guatemala
> Hong Kong
> Hungary
> India
> Indonesia
> Iraq
> Ireland
> Jamaica
> Jordan
> Kazakhstan
> Malaysia
> Mexico
> Morocco
> Netherlands
> New Zealand
> Nicaragua
> Nigeria
> Oman
> Panama
> Philippines
> Portugal
> Puerta Rico
> Qatar
> Russia
> Saipan
> Saudi Arabia
> Sierra Leone
> Singapore
> Slovenia
> South Africa
> South Korea
> Spain
> Thailand
> Turkey
> Ukraine
> United Arab
Emirates
> United Kingdom
> Vietnam
PRINCIPALS
Sandra Westlund-Deenihan
President and Design Engineer of Quality Float Works, Inc.
Sandra serves as President and Design Engineer of Quality Float Works, Inc., the premier manufacturer of metal float balls, valves
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International sales have increased from 3% to 33% over the past decade; this record-setting international growth in the 98-year history of the company. Today, Quality Float Works, Inc. exports its products throughout Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America
Quality Float Works, Inc. is recognized worldwide for its top-grade materials, excellent workmanship, exclusive designs
Sandra serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and is a member of the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) and National Federation Independent Business (NFIB). Active with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in 2007, Sandra was tapped to serve on the U.S. Chamber’s Education, Employment and Training Committee (EETC), providing solutions to the skills gap crisis in manufacturing and business.
Sandra also served as Co-Chair of the Western Suburban Chapter of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) (2009-2010). Most recently, Sandra was appointed to serve as Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Gender Equity Advisory Committee (2011-2012) advising and consulting with the State Board of Education to ensure all students have equal educational opportunities to pursue high-wage, high-skill occupations.
She has long been an advocate to increase the pipeline of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance and the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity Education. Through her efforts, she has been instrumental in bringing a STEM Equity pipeline program to her home area school district to engage young girls in STEM learning.
Sandra is also active in the local community having served two terms on the Hanover Township Board of Trustees (2007-2012), the Schaumburg Business Development Committee and Board of Directors of the Bartlett Veteran’s Memorial Foundation.
Sandra holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona. She and her husband, Maurice, reside in Streamwood, Illinois.
Jason Speer
President of Quality Float Works, Inc.
Jason serves as President of Quality Float Works, Inc., the premier manufacturer of metal float balls, valves
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In the spring of 2011, under Speer’s leadership, the company expanded its reach further with the launch a new distribution center located in Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates) to serve their growing international customer base. Under his leadership, total sales have increased 200% while international sales have increased from 3% to 33% over the past decade; this record-setting international growth in the 98-year history of the company (founded in 1915). Today, Quality Float Works, Inc. exports its products throughout Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America
Jason has been active in the public policy process for many years working to ensure a pro-growth, pro-manufacturing climate. He broke the mold becoming the first small business manufacturing member to serve on the National Association of Manufacturers Public Affairs Committee, the nation’s largest and most prominent manufacturing trade association.
In 2007, he became a charter member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Corporate Leadership Advisory Committee as well as continued service on the Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee. In 2008, Jason’s passion for public service and leadership skills culminated in his appointment to The Manufacturing Council by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. In this capacity, he provides advice to the Secretary regarding the implementation of the President’s Manufacturing Initiative and other related matters.
During his first term, Jason served as the sole representative from Illinois and one of the few small business manufacturers to serve on the prestigious 14-member council. He was one of five members to be reappointed in 2010 for another two-year term on the growing council now consisting of 24 leaders of the domestic manufacturing sector who represent a broad cross section of U.S. industry.
Active at the local level as well, in 2007, Jason was elected and served a four-year term as Trustee for the Village of Streamwood, IL. He lent his business expertise to the Village board advocating for lower taxes and fiscal restraint with taxpayer dollars. In addition to formerly holding public office, he is active with countless local business, community and environmental organizations.
A fourth generation entrepreneur, Jason has a passion for innovation and is constantly exploring new opportunities. Over the past few years, he identified a market niche for a product which ultimately led him to establishing a new Sunflower Seed Processing Plant, Oil Float, Ltd. The Ukrainian based facility accepted its first order in October of 2012. Currently serving a highly concentrated Middle Eastern client base, Jason ultimately has plans for meeting the growing demand for healthier alternatives to traditional oils in North America and Europe.
Jason Speer’s professional and personal achievements have been featured by state and national media outlets. Features include national television programs such as CNN with Lou Dobbs, ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson, CBS Evening News and PBS’ Nightly Business Report.
He has also appeared on Chicago area television and radio programs and featured in top business publications such as USA Today, Fortune Small Business, Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, China Business Review, Bloomberg News, Inc.com, CNN Money.com, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Daily Herald, Illinois Manufacturer, Business Reporter, Live American Dining and Travel, Pioneer Press Publications and Examiner Publications.
Jason and his wife Ruth have two children, Esther and Nicolas, and live in Streamwood, Illinois.
Awards
2013
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Blue Ribbon Award”
-Women in Science, Technology, Engineering
-The 2013 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar features Sandra Westlund-Deenihan
2012
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Blue Ribbon Award”
-The 2012 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar features Sandra Westlund-Deenihan
2011
-Daily Herald Business Ledger’s 12th annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards – Young Entrepreneur Award (Jason Speer)
-The 2011 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar features Sandra Westlund-Deenihan
2010
-Plant Engineering magazine’s “Future 30” list (Jason Speer)
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Blue Ribbon Award”
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2010 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, Great Lakes Regional Finalist
2009
-Association of Illinois Township Committees on Youth (AITCOY) “2009 Township Friend of Youth Award” (Sandra Westlund-Deenihan)
Inc. Magazine, Inc. 5000 list of “Fastest Growing Privately-Held Businesses” in America
The 2009 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar features Sandra Westlund-Deenihan.
2008
-Plant Engineering, “2008 Top Plant” Award
-Loyola University Chicago Family Center ‘Illinois Family Business of the Year (Small Business)’
-ComPsych Corporation, Health at Work, Silver Award
-Inc. Magazine – Inc. 5000 list of “Fastest Growing Privately-Held Businesses” in America
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Blue Ribbon Award”
-Business Civic Leadership Center’s (BCLC) 2008 Corporate Citizenship Awards Finalist
2007
-The Business Ledger names Sandra Westlund-Deenihan named “One of the Most Influential Women in Business”
-Inc. Magazine – Inc. 5000 list of “Fastest Growing Privately-Held Businesses” in America;
-The Business Ledger’s Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards nominates Sandra Westlund-Deenihan for “Regional Spirit Award”
-U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Blue Ribbon Award”
-IIT Industries, “Excellent Supplier Award” for outstanding services (FMC – 100 percent customer service award)
1990’s
Quality Float Works, Inc. received the “Excellent Supplier Award” from IIT Industries for outstanding services.
