About
It all began in 1943 when David Fee – the company’s founder – saw the need for a better machine for the farm dairy to fill and cap glass bottles.
Shown to the right is Federal’s first filler, the Model H21, with two valves and one capper. It was on this hand-operated Federal filler, in the early 1940′s, that Federal’s simple and dependable ‘Vacu-Matic’ valve, with built-in suction pump, was developed. The idea for this unique valve came to Federal’s founder and his friend, Archie Ladewig, when they were searching for a way to fill buttermilk.
Federal’s first 6-valve filler was built in 1946 for half-gallons and smaller sizes. This 6-valve filler along with a 9-valve filler and the hand-filler were introduced at the 1948 Dairy Show in Atlantic City.
Federal’s ‘Vacu-Matic’ valve became the foundation for the Federal’s line of bottle fillers.
In 1948 the Lawson Company of Akron, Ohio ordered the first two 9-valve fillers for glass gallons. This was the beginning of Federal’s highly successful “G” series ad established Federal’s roots for sanitary design.
Federal continued to broaden its line of bottle fillers during the 50′s and 60′s. Glass gallons and half-gallons continued to grow in popularity and by 1970 Federal had 5 Series of fillers (5 bowl sizes). Federal installed high-speed filling lines in the larger markets. The 70′s brought about the plastic gallon. It was this bottle that enabled Federal to establish its reputation for handling bottles gently.
By specializing on sanitary design, Federal’s market widened. Processors came to Federal for specially designed fillers for pharmaceutical companies.
During the 80′s and 90′s the emphasis was on the need for Federal fillers with greater output for the dairy industry and for household and the industrial products. Also, a growing demand for fruit juice and for bottled water created the need for higher speed Federal fillers.
Years of unceasing effort by Federal employees has brought Federal Mfg. Co. to its present position as the leader in its field.
In setting our course for the future, Federal will continue to be a tightly focused company. Our mission is to listen to our customers and to develop and build the equipment that will satisfy their packaging needs.
Throughout our organization, our employees are committed to develop and build filling equipment that excels in simplicity of sanitary design. Equally important, our employees have a sincere interest in engineering and building filling equipment that will give dependable performance for years to come.
We are grateful for the recognition that our customers have accorded Federal filling and capping equipment. Such recognition earned by serving the industry well is your assurance of top performance day after day and year after year.

