The Tisch family has been in the air sampling equipment business for 70+ years. It all started when our co-founder’s Grandfather, Web Tisch, bought General Metal Works, Inc. (GMW) in Greendale, Indiana in 1954. Initially, a small sheet metal shop, GMW expanded rapidly under Web’s leadership into pioneering the creation of the first Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) High Volume Air Sampler, Model 2000, with Dr. Fodor from the United States Department of Public Health Service.

In the 1960s, GMW faced competition but maintained its dominance due to hard work and quality products. By 1968, the Air Sampling Division split off, led by Web’s son (and our co-founder’s Father), Wilbur (Will) Tisch who expanded the air quality instrumentation further and introduced innovations like the aluminum shelter.

In 1970s-1980s, GMW expanded rapidly which led to the purchase of the local town theater and shortly after  the purchase of a neighboring butcher shop to convert into the main operating and manufacturing facilities.  Ownership changes followed, with Andersen Instruments acquiring GMW in 1983, eventually leading to multiple ownership transfers throughout the 1990s and ultimately layoffs and production relocation to Atlanta, GA.

In 1998, W. John Tisch and Jim Tisch founded Tisch Environmental, Inc. (TEI). In the early 2000s, they acquired AADCO Instruments, diversifying their product range and also received recognition from the US EPA in the form of Federal Reference Method (FRM) designation on our 6XXX series PM10 Particulate Monitor products and thus expanded internationally.

In 2007, Tisch Scientific was formed, focusing on reselling high quality filtration and lab products while TEI adapted to the US EPA regulations regarding Pb-lead, reviving interest in our products, including lead monitoring.

In 2014, TEI received additional recognition from the US EPA in the form of FRM on our low volume platform or three size fractions of particulate matter PM10, PM2.5 and PMc (coarse=PM10-PM2.5).  The product was named to honor our co-founder’s Father, Wilbur (Will) Tisch and is simply called “the Wilbur” or part number TE-WILBUR.

By 2022, TEI consolidated operations into a new facility, marking a new chapter. We introduced the TE-BC251 bio-aerosol collector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2023, TEI became an employee-owned company through an ESOP, ensuring continuity and legacy.

With a strategic plan for growth, TEI aims to continue its legacy of providing high-quality air quality instrumentation, making significant contributions to global air quality improvement, and providing the exceptional customer service that has been ingrained in us for over 70 years.

For a detailed Company History written by our Co-Founder W. John Tisch, visit our company newsletter here.

• 1954: Web Tisch buys General Metal Works, Inc. (GMW) in Greendale, Indiana.
• 1950s-1960s: GMW fabricates stainless steel filter holders and blower motor assemblies for the United States Department of Public Health Service, leading to the development of the first Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) High Volume Air Sampler, named Model 2000.
• 1965: Air Sampling Division splits off from GMW due to rapid growth, led by Web Tisch’s son, Will Tisch
• 1970: Introduction of aluminum shelter for air samplers and formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Avalon Theater is purchased for conversion into production facility for GMW.
• 1980: Expansion with the purchase of neighboring butcher shop and addition of a high bay building.
• 1983: Acquisition of GMW by Andersen Instruments, marking the start of several ownership changes.
• 1990s: GMW, a subsidiary of Andersen Instruments, was transferred/sold several times. In the late 90s, Thermo Environmental purchases GMW, lays off local staff and moves production to Atlanta.
• 1998: W. John Tisch and Jim Tisch found Tisch Environmental, Inc. (TEI)
• 2000: Purchase of AADCO Instruments, adding Zero Air Generator (ZAG) to product portfolio.
• 2002: TEI receives Federal Reference Method (FRM) status from the United States EPA for high volume 6XXX series PM10 product.
• 2007: Formation of Tisch Scientific division for reselling filtration products.
• 2008: EPA regulation adds lead (Pb) to criteria pollutants, reviving interest in high-volume air samplers.
• 2011: Tisch Scientific relocates to a larger space in North Bend, Ohio.
• 2014: TEI receives FRM status for low volume platform for PM10, PM2.5, and PMc.
• 2022: Consolidation of all operations. Tisch Scientific and ISO Tisch Environmental relocates to Cleves into a new 20,000 SF facility.
• 2021: Introduction of TE-BC251 bio-aerosol collector for airborne virus collection due to Coronavirus Pandemic
• 2023: TEI becomes a 100% employee-owned and operated company through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).