Recognized for his longstanding contributions to the industry, the Plumbing Contractors Association inducted Sloan Executive Chairman, Charles (Chuck) S. Allen, into the Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame at a gala held on Jan. 26.

A third-generation descendant of William Elvis Sloan, Allen joins the company’s founder on the distinguished list of hall of fame awardees, after a career devoted to the global manufacturing of smart, sustainable commercial plumbing products.

“On behalf of the entire company, I am so honored to join the elite fraternity of accomplished professionals in the Plumbing Contractors Association Hall of Fame,” Allen said. “And on a personal level, to stand alongside William Elvis Sloan on that list is all the more gratifying. I could not have achieved this accolade without the help of those before me and all the bright minds walking the halls at Sloan today.”

Allen started his Sloan career in 1972 on the shop floor running machines. After earning an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, he returned to the company as a sales representative in New York, working directly with wholesalers and contractors. For years, he applied his talents in the sales and marketing departments and was instrumental in Sloan’s partnership with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and Mechanical Contractors Association of America. He served as president and CEO of Sloan from 1977 to 2008.

He assumed the title of executive chairman in 2008. While his three sons – Kirk, Jim and Graham – currently serve as co-president and CEO, Allen has remained an integral part of the company, contributing and helping to define Sloan’s strategic direction.

Under Allen’s guidance, Sloan has become a global brand synonymous with innovative, smart, sustainable and water efficient products. He was a pioneer who ushered in electronic plumbing technology such as battery operated sensor flushometers and faucets, at a time when manual flushometers and faucets were the industry norm. Chuck’s vision and persistence regarding electronic sensor technology heralded a whole new industry segment, that today is embraced by plumbing manufactures, contractors and end users.

“ ‘Water Connects Us’ is more than just Sloan’s tagline,” Allen said. “Every day, around the world, Sloan products connect the systems that manage our planet’s most precious resource. We want to preserve the environment and continue to be the global leader for smart, sustainable restroom solutions that are as beautiful as they are innovative. We strive to elevate the total commercial restroom experience.”