One company to celebrate 125 years of operation next year

A business started by one Utica man over a century ago is still running strong in our area. And you've probably heard of them or have bought their products.

The Fountainhead Group will be celebrating 125 years of operation next year.

And from the founder of the company to the current CEO of the company, all were born and raised in Central New York.

"We find that we can grow and compete here in New York State. We want to stay here for another 125 years," said CEO John Romano.

John Romano took over the company in the 1980s from his father, Gene Romano who bought the business from the smith family.

D.B. Smith founded the company in 1888, the oldest company in the country to produce compressed air sprayers for commercial agriculture and home gardening.

Since then John Romano renamed the company to fountainhead group, made acquisitions and has been producing more than just gardening products.

"It's not just pesticides or insecticides. It could be ice melting products. It could be germicides or any products that need an applicator. We move fluids," said Romano.

If you go into any major retail store in the u-s you can see their products which were made right here in Central New York.

"They would be sold under our heritage name which is D.B. Smith, our acquired name which is Roundup and our licensing partner, Black Flag," said Romano.

As the company eagerly awaits next year, Mr. Romano says he plans on piecing together the entire history of the company with the help of one of the members of the smith family.

"When we had the company there were four other manufacturers that did the same thing. We were the smallest one at the time even though my great grandfather was D.B. Smith, the inventor of the sprayer," said Robert Smith.

Mr. Romano says the company is working on various projects and hopes to expand in the next five to ten years.