Groen The Groen story begins with Fred Groen, an immigrant and journeyman coppersmith who, in the 1890s, began a business fabricating tanks and repairing brewery and distillery equipment.  In 1907, he incorporated the company that still bears his name in Elk Grove, Ill., which then was focused on the production of high-quality copper kettles and pressure vessels designed for industrial processors. From its inception in 1907, Groen became known for product innovation and quality.  For instance, during World War II, copper became a scarce commodity.  So, the company developed the first stainless steel-jacketed kettle, which revolutionized the industry.  Groen made kettles for use on ships during World War II.  In…