Our History
Over 125 Years
of Building for Real Life
Since 1901, Bishopric Industries has continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of industry. From specialty materials for breweries to large-scale fabrication of critical process equipment, our history reflects a legacy of innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship.
Across generations, our teams have embraced new technologies, entered emerging markets, and expanded capabilities—all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and performance.
Today, Bishopric stands as a premier fabricator of process tanks, pressure vessels, and heavy industrial equipment, trusted by customers operating in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
The Founding
Peter Allison Bishopric signed the Articles of Incorporation for the British-American Sealing Wax Company, establishing a business dedicated to manufacturing and importing materials used in sealing wax and lacquers.
Coming from a family of inventors, Bishopric combined ingenuity, business acumen, and salesmanship to create an enterprise built for long-term success—a foundation that would support generations to come.
Supporting America’s Brewing Industry
Allison Bishopric secured a patent for a brewer’s pitch formula known as Sanite Mastic. This material was used to line wooden beer barrels, helping breweries maintain product integrity.
Located in Cincinnati, one of the nation’s largest beer-producing cities, the company benefited from the strong demand and built deep expertise serving industrial customers with specialized solutions.
A New Name
The company was renamed The Bishopric Products Company, reflecting a broader identity beyond its original sealing wax business.
Despite growing social pressure toward alcohol reform, Bishopric continued to thrive through strong ties to the brewing and manufacturing sectors.
Adapting Through Prohibition
Ohio’s Prohibition amendment significantly disrupted the brewing industry, impacting demand for barrel linings. During this challenging period, the company also lost a founder, George F. Bishopric, to pneumonia during the influenza pandemic.
These events tested the organization’s resilience and demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
The Birth of Fabrication
As Bishopric expanded its tank relining work, customers began requesting coatings for new tanks fabricated by others. Recognizing the opportunity, the company began producing complete tanks in-house.
This marked the creation of Bishopric’s Fabrication Division, a pivotal shift that would define the company’s future as an industrial equipment manufacturer.
Pioneering Large Vertical Tanks
Later in the decade, Bishopric installed a 4,000-barrel outdoor vertical tank for the National Brewing Company in Baltimore. This innovative design increased storage capacity while reducing the cost per barrel, setting a new industry standard.
Field Erection Capabilities
The ability to assemble large tanks on-site by welding sections into a single structure significantly expanded the project scope. Field erection enabled Bishopric to deliver equipment that exceeded transportation limits, opening new markets and applications.
Advancing into Stainless Steel
A major contract with Schaefer Brewing Company marked the company’s first large stainless-steel tank project. This milestone launched a long trajectory toward expertise in stainless steel and high-alloy fabrication, capabilities that remain central today.
The Enerfab Era
To reflect the expanding opportunities in engineering, erection, and fabrication, the company adopted the “Enerfab” name. This period saw significant growth and diversification across industrial markets.
Aseptic Storage Innovation
The company pioneered turnkey aseptic storage systems for the citrus industry, enabling large-scale storage of not-from-concentrate juice while preserving freshness and quality.
These projects demonstrated the company’s ability to deliver complex, integrated solutions—from site preparation through commissioning.
Formation of Enerfab Process Solutions
As the broader Enerfab organization expanded, a dedicated division, Enerfab Process Solutions, was established to focus on the fabrication of critical process equipment.
This division concentrated expertise, facilities, and resources on manufacturing tanks, vessels, and equipment for heavy industrial applications.
A Return to Bishopric
The reintroduction of the Bishopric name represents more than a rebrand; it is a reconnection with a legacy built on over a century of fabrication excellence.
Although the name has changed, the people, facilities, and capabilities developed as Enerfab Process Solutions remain unchanged. Now, they are united under a name that reflects our strong heritage in large-scale process equipment fabrication.
Bishopric today combines historical expertise with modern technology to deliver solutions engineered for the future.
Building What Industry Depends On
From brewer’s pitch to pressure vessels, Bishopric’s evolution mirrors the changing needs of industrial production. Each generation has expanded capabilities while preserving the craftsmanship and reliability that define our work.
Our equipment operates in facilities that produce essential goods, energy, and materials—supporting infrastructure and supply chains around the world
Looking Ahead
Innovation continues to shape Bishopric’s future. Investments in advanced fabrication technologies, materials expertise, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities position the company to meet the demands of emerging industries and increasingly complex projects.
What has remained constant for more than 125 years is our commitment to delivering equipment built for real-world performance.