Company History

November 1981 – Hunter Industries is founded by irrigation industry pioneer and entrepreneur Edwin J. Hunter with son Paul Hunter in San Marcos, CA. Richard Hunter and Ann Hunter-Welborn soon join family partnership. Paul Hunter oversees strategic planning and corporate expansion; Richard Hunter directs operations and manufacturing; and Ann Hunter-Welborn supervises recruitment and human resources. Edwin Hunter is instrumental in product development and design.

January 1983 – Hunter introduces the Series 75 gear-driven rotors. Soon renamed the PGP (Professional Gear-Driven Pop-Up), this sprinkler launches the “rotor revolution” in the landscape irrigation industry. The PGP is soon imitated by irrigation equipment manufacturers throughout the world.

June 1984 – Hunter Institutional Series rotors, including the I-20, I-25 and I-40 gear drives, are developed for use on parks, sports fields and all large turf areas. They feature stainless steel risers and are vandal resistant.

January 1985 – Hunter opens international distribution in key markets, including Australia and Europe. Today Hunter products are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide.

November 1986 – Hunter PS spray sprinkler, with patented adjustable arc nozzle, is introduced and becomes best-selling spray head in Europe.

March 1987 – New Hunter I-44 sod cup increases safety on sports fields.

October 1989 – PGH high pop, gear drive with a 12" pop-up, is added to product line and quickly becomes a favorite for slopes and plated areas.

January 1990 – Site is selected in Cary, North Carolina, for new East Coast manufacturing and distribution facility. Cary plant becomes operational in 1992.

April 1991 – Hunter advanced technology is applied to control systems. Innovative ETC (Evapotranspiration Rate Controller) is released. ETC calculates precise daily water needs based on ET.

September 1992 – HPV plastic valve, incorporating heavy-duty diaphragm and captive parts, added to Hunter residential product line.

November 1992 – Hunter introduces a complete line of golf rotors, including the LT-500, LT-600 and LT-700 for tees, greens and fairways. LT-500 offers efficient operation at lower pressures, and lower precipitation rates.

January 1993 – Richard E. Hunter becomes chief executive officer of Hunter Industries. Hunter also served as president of the Irrigation Association (1989).

November 1993 – Hunter announces affiliation with Legacy Golf irrigation systems and agrees to produce gear-driven rotors for Legacy Golf product line. Hunter/Legacy rotors are installed on golf courses throughout the world.

April 1994 – Hunter releases PGM mid-range rotor for residential use. This first mid-sized gear drive proves highly efficient, operating on same zones as PGPs.

June 1994 – Edwin Hunter retires from Hunter Industries after working in the irrigation industry for more than 35 years. Hunter held over 150 U.S. patents for landscape irrigation equipment and is credited with the introduction of many industry firsts, including first plastic pop-up gear drive sprinklers; first valve-in-head golf rotors; first plastic fixed spray heads; development of first plastic valves; and an innovative range of control devices for turf and landscape.

October 1995 – New I-25 Plus institutional rotor released for use on parks and sports fields. Features ProTech™ safety system with small exposed rubber cover.

January 1996 – Hunter begins manufacture of Simple and Reliable Series of residential irrigation products: SRC controller, SRS spray and SRV valve.

February 1997 – Hunter SRR remote control introduced. The SRR is the first remote control system for residential use.

April 1997 – Hunter spray series is expanded with new “multi-use” adjustable arc nozzles for all standard sprays.

May 1997 – Upgraded I-20 Ultra with Flo-Stop™ control added to rotor line. Patented technology allows user to stop flow of water through individual heads.

January 1998 – Revolutionary modular ICC controller presented, along with heavy-duty ICV valve. Hunter’s “universal” ICC controller features snap-in modules that permit expansion from 8 to 48 zones. ICC becomes a central component in the complete Hunter system for all large institutional sites, including sports fields.

March 1998 – Hunter’s commitment to professional education is underscored with introduction of comprehensive Irrigation System Design seminars. In-depth programs train contractors on proper design and installation techniques.

November 1998 – Richard Hunter announces the purchase of Legacy Golf. The new Hunter Golf division now manufactures and markets a complete line of golf irrigation equipment, including golf rotors, valves, central/satellite and decoder control systems.

January 1999 – Hunter presents the PGP-ATR kit, first direct replacement rotor for all impact sprinklers. The PGP-ATR replaces “cannister style” impacts with quiet, efficient gear drives.

March 1999 – Hunter’s Preferred Contractor Program introduced nationwide. The Program rewards contractors with valuable points that may be used towards business development funding, marketing tools and new equipment.

October 1999 – Hunter Industries introduces a line of weather sensors, marketed as the Hunter Mini-Clik, Hunter Wind-Clik, Hunter Freeze-Clik and Hunter Mini-Weather Station.

May 2000 – Sophisticated EC Controller for residential sites is released to international market. Offers advanced water management features.

November 2000 – Hunter launches three new product lines, the tough Pro-Spray, the rugged and water saving Institutional Spray, versatile PGV valves and the remarkable Pro-C, the modular controller for residential and light commercial use.

November 2001 – Hunter continues to expand their ever-increasing full line of irrigation products with five new introductions: the ASV anti-siphon valve, ICR long range remote control, the battery-operated Smart Valve Controller, the Rain-Clik rain sensor with the revolutionary Quick Response™ shutoff, and the PGV Jar-Top (easy access versions of Hunter's most popular line of valves).

November 2001 – Hunter SVC and WVS battery-powered controllers win Exhibitor New Product Award at the Irrigation Association Expo in San Antonio, TX.

January 2002 – Hunter controllers (SRC, Pro-C, ICC) become central-control capable with the introduction of the Irrigation Management and Monitoring System (IMMS). New Jar-Top versions of PGV quickly become Hunter’s best-selling residential valve line.

November 2003 – New PGJ rotor is introduced. A true "junior PGP," it offers ease of use and reliable operation for smaller areas in residential landscapes.

May 2004 – Hunter opens new state-of-the-art plant in Tijuana, Mexico, to expand the company’s manufacturing facilities in The Americas. Plant builds plastic valves and other high-volume products.

July 2004 – Hunter expands its weather sensor product line with the introduction of the new WRF Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensor. The new product combines rain and freeze monitoring into one unit for an easier-to-install, more affordable alternative.

November 2004 – Hunter enters the drip irrigation market with the introduction of the new Drip Control Zone kits.

November 2004 – Hunter Industries opens a new state-of-the-art test facility at its San Marcos headquarters. The multi-million dollar laboratory adds new capabilities to the company’s existing laboratories and is one of the most comprehensive testing environments at any irrigation products manufacturer.

January 2005 – Shipments of the new Pro-Spray, fixed pattern nozzles begin; Hunter issues “Take the Nozzle Challenge” marketing campaign, helping Hunter achieve record sales volumes.

February 2005 – Hunter introduces Surveyor, a new central control software program for golf course irrigation. The control system marks the company’s first all-new software platform since the introduction of the innovative Vista system in 2000.

September 2005 – Hunter opens its completely remodeled and expanded Marketing and Information Systems Building after a six-month construction project. The facility includes a state-of-the-art Customer Education Center and classrooms.

November 2005 – Hunter introduces new 6-inch models of its legendary I-25 and I-40 rotors for turf areas with taller mowing heights.

November 2005 – Hunter formally introduces the ACC, it’s most powerful and advanced controller ever produced, featuring real-time flow monitoring for ultimate control. The ACC immediately wins Exhibitor New Product Award at the 26th Annual International Irrigation Show in Phoenix, AZ.