Abbott Ball was founded in 1909 by George Edward Abbott to manufacture steel balls. In the early years, a popular brand of bicycles made in Hartford used most of the output. As our reputation for quality products spread, the company grew quickly. In 1911, a new manufacturing facility was built on the site of a pre-Revolutionary War commercial pottery. That site, after numerous expansions, is still our corporate home. Today, Abbott supplies stainless steel balls of all types, along with carbon steel and specialty balls, to Original Equipment Manufacturers around the world. George Abbott was not only ambitious, but also innovative. He recognized that steel balls, besides their many uses in bearings and other products, could also be used to clean and finish the surfaces of metal objects. The burnishingmedia that Abbott makes today are derived from the initial idea. Ownership of the company, which remained in the Abbott family for decades, was eventually assumed by a management team committed to continuing the traditions and expanding the technical horizons of Abbott Ball. We believe that our history of reliability and value gives you the reasons to use Abbott Ball as your source for the future. Read about our mission ...