Chris Kelley

For Over 60 Years, H.H. Barnum Company Has Taken Great Pride In Creating A Legacy That Places Customers And Employees As A Top Priority. H.H. Barnum Company was founded in 1946 by Herb Barnum. At its inception, the company focused operations on process control valves and instrumentation. After ten years, former World War II bomber pilot and University of Illinois alumnus Ken Koza joined Barnum as a salesman. In addition to a relentless work ethic, Koza also brought with him experience from his work as an engineer at Honeywell, an industrial control and thermostat manufacturer. This was the first of many product and service line expansions for the company. After quickly earning his place as a top salesman, Koza purchased 40 percent of Barnum, eventually taking on full ownership of the company following Mr. Barnum’s retirement in 1975. Koza, soon joined by his sons, Ed and Ken Junior, refocused business efforts from control valves and instrumentation to the distribution of factory automation systems across multiple industries. At the time of Ken Koza’s retirement in 1988, Barnum stood poised for growth with 12 employees and an opportunity to provide manufacturers with thoughtful industrial solutions and a detailed knowledge of automation controls. Today the company proudly employs over 130 people, operating a 65,000 square foot facility in its Brighton, Michigan Headquarters and stocking offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dedication to innovation and quality by both our valued customers and employees is the foundation on which Barnum is built, and has remained a driving force behind the company since its humble beginnings over six decades ago.