South Gate : Artistic Brass Announces It Will Move to Indiana

After 10 years of manufacturing brass bathroom and kitchen faucets in South Gate, Artistic Brass is moving its operations and many of its 135 employees to Indiana.

Jon Forbes, president of the 150,000-square-foot plant on Ardmore Avenue, said the company wants to be near its parent company, Masco Corp.’s Plumbing Products Division in Greensburg, Ind., where it will merge some operations.

“By moving closer to the larger company, we will have access to big company manufacturing facilities, engineering, and research and development,” said Forbes, a 44-year-old Southern California native.

In addition to Artistic Brass, Masco Corp.’s Plumbing Products Division includes Delta Faucet Company, EPIC, Peerless Faucet Co. and Sherle Wagner. Artistic Brass will remain a separate brand.

Forbes said the company has not determined how many of its 135 employees will be relocating, but the company will try to find jobs for the remaining employees in local Masco companies.

Artistic Brass moved from Los Angeles to South Gate in 1982. It first introduced decorative brass fittings for bathrooms more than 30 years ago.

South Gate Mayor Johnny Ramirez said he is sorry to see the company leave the city. “I understand the economy prevents them from continuing to do business here,” he said.