Empire Ventilation Equipment Company, Inc. was founded over sixty years ago by brothers Robert and Thomas Abernethy in the basement of their Long Island City home. Shortly before both brothers were called to serve their country in World War II, they moved the business to its first location on Vernon Boulevard.
Their father Thomas and sister Anna kept operations going until the brothers returned home.
Growth and expansion were rapid during the early 1950’s. Empire’s customer base grew from local to national to international and continues to do so to this day.
In the early 1970’s, nephews Robert Warnken and George Taylor joined the organization. Starting as assemblers and machine operators, they both learned the business from the ground up. As years passed, each found their niche in the company with Robert taking on the sales and promotion chores and George managing production.
With over sixty years experience between them, this proved to be a successful combination as Empire Ventilation continued its tradition of providing its customers with quality ventilation products.
In late 1997, George’s son Brian joined Empire after a four year hitch in the U.S. Marine Corps. “Sgt. Taylor” started at the ground level learning every facet of the operation and continued the Empire tradition of providing the world with quality ventilation products.
In July, 2021, the assets of the former Empire Ventilation, Inc. were purchased by Empire Ventilation, LLC and the company was relocated to Green Lane, Pennsylvania where it continues to grow and thrive.