About Us
America's only manufacturer of solid brass whistles — and we've been at it since 1956.
American Whistle Corporation has been making whistles in Columbus, Ohio for almost seventy years. We are the only company in the United States that still manufactures solid brass whistles from start to finish — drawing the brass, stamping the bodies, tuning the chambers, plating the finish, packing the boxes.
Who we are
Our business is unique. So is our niche: we die-strike custom logos onto solid brass whistles, turning professional safety tools into objects that get carried for a lifetime. Coaches keep their first whistle. Referees pass them down. Police officers retire with theirs.
The company was founded in 1956 as Colsoff Manufacturing, sold once in 1987, and acquired by the current owners in January 2018. The new ownership has invested in product development, expanded the line beyond the Classic brass whistle, and built out programs for federal procurement, school safety, and community policing — without compromising the standard that has defined the company for nearly seven decades.
Our people
Our staff is small. The work is exacting. Every whistle is hand-finished and hand-inspected. We don't forget that the product is a safety tool — that someone's attention, someone's signal, someone's life may depend on the blast of an American Whistle. That belief is what gets the same people back to the floor every day.
Our factory
Our Columbus plant is the only one of its kind in the country. The process starts with coiled brass, moves through 30-ton presses, state-of-the-art soldering tables, polishing wheels, and specialty plating lines, and ends with a person placing the cork pea inside each whistle by hand. We produce over a million whistles a year using a blend of hands-on craftsmanship and high-tech automation.
Thousands of people visit each year to see how it's done. Book a factory tour · What to expect on a tour
Who we serve
- Coaches and referees across high school, collegiate, and professional sports. Coach whistles · Referee whistles
- Safety and emergency response — police, EMS, search and rescue, campus security. Safety whistles
- Government and defense — federal, state, and local procurement; military signaling. Bulk & government orders
- Schools and universities — Whistle Defense programs, athletic departments, campus safety. Programs for colleges · Whistle Defense Program
- Retail and gift partners — independent retailers, Made-in-USA marketplaces, corporate gifting. Wholesale registration
Frequently asked questions
When was American Whistle Corporation founded?
The company was founded in 1956 as Colsoff Manufacturing in Columbus, Ohio. It was sold to a new owner in 1987 and acquired by the current owners in January 2018.
Is American Whistle Corporation the only whistle manufacturer in the United States?
Yes. American Whistle Corporation is the only manufacturer of solid brass whistles in the United States.
What makes American Whistle products unique?
Two things: solid brass construction produces a sharper, fuller tone than plastic or stainless alternatives, and our custom die-striking process turns a safety tool into a personalized keepsake. Every whistle is hand-finished, hand-inspected, and made entirely in our Columbus, Ohio factory.
How loud is the American Classic whistle?
The American Classic produces 126 decibels of signaling sound when activated — loud enough to cut through stadium noise, weather, and distance.
Can visitors tour the factory?
Yes. Thousands of people tour the Columbus factory every year — schools, scout troops, journalists, and procurement officers. Book a factory tour.
How many whistles does American Whistle produce each year?
Over one million whistles a year, using a combination of hand craftsmanship and high-tech manufacturing.
Does American Whistle qualify for federal procurement?
Yes. Our solid brass whistles are Buy American Act eligible and Berry Amendment qualified for applicable Department of Defense contracts. Read more about our Made in USA certification.
Get in touch
Sales, custom engraving, bulk orders, factory tours, or general questions:
Call: 614-846-2918 · Contact form · Wholesale registration