Dramm celebrates 75 years

Dramm Corporation has announced the passing of the ‘Rain Wand’ to the next generation. Receiving the Rain Wand from Kurt and Marlene Dramm (pictured right) are Hans Dramm and Heidi Dramm Becker (pictured left).

Dramm Corporation is celebrating 75 years in the in watering tools and accessories business. The company developed from a “basement operation” to a 70,000 sq. ft. facility, employing more than 65 people.

In 1941, John G. Dramm produced cut flowers for his florist shop in Manitowoc, Wis. Johnny, as everyone knew him, always had a passion and a gift for invention. In order to water greenhouse crops quickly, Johnny saw the need for a nozzle to apply very large quantities of water in a soft stream. Thus, he designed the 400 Water Breaker Nozzle, which applied water with no damage to plants.

News quickly spread about this innovative watering tool and requests for the new nozzle were received. Johnny continued to work in his floral shop during the day and fulfilled the 400 Water Breaker orders at night. As the business began expanding, tragedy struck. John G. Dramm passed away suddenly in 1951 at age 47. He was survived by his wife, Perdita, with two sons ages 12 and 18.

His family had no Social Security benefits and now struggled to keep the business going. Subcontracting the parts and assembly, Perdita packed the orders and attended to all of the paperwork, using her lunch hours while she worked as a school librarian to mail out the orders. Taking no salary from the Dramm Company, Perdita used the modest profits to put her two sons through college.

After the two boys went to college they continued the tradition of contributing to the growth of the family business. By the late 1950s and into the early 1960s, John Peter, the older son, started working out of his own basement. He eventually rented a small factory and gave it the name Dramm Manufacturing Company. Like his father, he had a natural interest and talent for invention. He evolved into a self-taught engineer, designing and building equipment and machines to manufacture the expanding menus of Dramm products. 

In 1967, younger brother Kurt William, the born salesman of the family, purchased The Dramm Company from his mother, Perdita. Although there were two companies, being a close family, they operated as one entity. In 1978 at an early age of 45, John P. Dramm passed away and the two companies became one under the name Dramm Corporation.

In an effort to increase sales, Kurt purchased German-made Pulsfog machines, low-volume chemical applicators that greatly reduce the risk of exposure. He then added the Japanese Autofog, advantageous because it requires no operator. With a history of being a leader in horticultural technology, today, the Dramm Corporation manufactures and distributes a variety of sprayers, foggers, environmental controllers and horticultural equipment.

A new facet in development at the Dramm Corp. is its Drammatic Liquid Fish Fertilizer. Environmentally appealing because it is 100 percent organic, the low-impact fertilizer utilizes chopped-up fish; something considered waste and formerly dumped into landfills is now made into useful and highly effective product. Native Americans apparently understood this secret when they taught the Mayflower Pilgrims to “plant” a fish in each hill of corn. A clean, state-of-the-art factory was newly completed in Algoma, Wis. in 1999.

While keeping a position at the forefront of technology is essential, the 400 Water Breaker Nozzle, in combination with a variety of extension handles, still remains the premiere Dramm product. Its success attracts many imitators. Though copied worldwide, none of the competition has equaled the quality, craftsmanship and durability of the original American-made product.

Family involvement has been an integral part of the growth and success of the company and is still a vital ingredient today.

In July of 2013, Kurt and Marlene Dramm announced the ownership transfer to their son Hans Dramm and daughter Heidi Dramm Becker. Hans Dramm is the chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Heidi Dramm Becker is executive vice president and appears in many of Dramm’s TV commercials and lifestyle photos.

Hans Dramm’s daughter and Heidi Dramm Becker’s children appear in TV commercials and lifestyle photos. Kurt Becker, son-in-law, is the executive vice president and the director of commercial sales and marketing. Kurt Dramm remains active with the company as chairman of the board of directors.

Today, Dramm continues to provide quality, durable and professional watering tools, accessories and natural fertilizers to nurseries, greenhouses and avid gardeners nationwide.

Photo: Courtesy of Dramm