The company was established in November 1883 by William Malpass and his father-in-law, Richard W. Round, to service the logging industry in East Jordan and around Northern Michigan.

[2] In 1886, when William's brother James joined the business, the company was renamed to East Jordan Iron Works.

East Jordan Iron Works was renamed to EJ in 2012 to consolidate multiple owned holdings under a single brand.

[5] Groundbreaking for a new EJ foundry in nearby Elmira Township began around the beginning of 2017, and was completed in November 2018.

EJ's main manufacturing facility, corporate headquarters, and hydrant & valve assembly lines are located in East Jordan.