OUR HISTORY


A Little History…
SLY, LLC was founded in 1874 as a manufacturer of foundry equipment. The company’s experience with dusty environments lead to its development of industrial dust collection equipment. Sly holds the very first patent for a cloth-type dust collector issued in 1902.

The company subsequently expanded into four styles of dust collectors:

and four styles of wet scrubbers:

Your Trusted Advisor

Sly has always valued its customer relationships. Respecting your schedule and needs has been our hallmark since day one. We work with you to develop the right solution and deliver our detailed quote on time. You can rely on our experience to provide the right recommendation.

The Expertise You Need. The Service You Deserve.



150 Years of Sly

1874
1874

W.W. Sly founded what is now known as Sly, LLC, marking the company’s start. This is one year after the Jesse James gang first robbed a train on horseback in the American West. 

1902
1902

Sly received the first U.S. patent for a fabric filter, introducing a significant advancement in air pollution control. Just two years after this, the Wright brothers would successfully record the first air flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

1920
1920

The company became part of Cleveland, OH historical lore when Wilfred C. Sly and George K. Fanner were murdered by the “Mayfield Road Mob” in a payroll holdup.

1930
1930

Marie Sly, along with four others, took ownership of Sly, notably appointing a woman as head of a manufacturing firm, during a time when female CEOs were extremely rare. This bold move came the year after the stock market crashed in 1929 and the country sank into the Great Depression.

1960
1960

Sly expanded its manufacturing capabilities by opening a plant in Mississippi dedicated to sewing filter bags. In the early 60s, the space program was gaining momentum, and the Beatles released their debut single. 

1962
1962

The development of the Impinjet Scrubber marked a major innovation in gas cleaning technology, significantly improving the efficiency of removing particulates and gases from industrial emissions.

1974
1974

A fire destroyed the Sly manufacturing plant on Train Avenue in Cleveland, resulting in a substantial loss.

1976
1976

The invention of the Venturi Scrubber introduced a highly effective method for scrubbing gases, particularly useful in handling high dust loads and small particle sizes. America celebrated the bicentennial of the nation’s founding.

1987
1987

The Vertical PleatJet (CF) was developed, showcasing Sly’s ongoing innovation in filter technology.

1990
1990

The development of the STJ, SBR, CTR, CBR Tubejets (tubular bags) represented an advancement in baghouse filters, offering improved dust collection efficiency and ease of maintenance.

1993
1993

Sly purchased a building and relocated to 8300 Dow Circle, Strongsville, OH, in the summer of 1994, marking a new chapter for the company. 2009: The Round Reverse Air (RAC) was developed, further expanding Sly’s portfolio of air pollution control solutions.

2019
2019

Sly was sold to Carrier Process Equipment Group (ESOP) on October 18, ending 145 years of being a family-owned and operated business as Ted Kurz retired.

2024
2024

Sly celebrates 150 years in business, a rare milestone achieved by less than 0.5% of all U.S. companies.