In 1876, Otto Bernz founded the Otto Bernz Co. in Newark, NJ to sell plumbers tools, furnaces and torches. Gasoline torches with the Always Reliable brand also began to appear.

In the 1940s, the name changed to BernzOmatic, and the company relocated to Rochester, NY.

Today, BernzOmatic is a worldwide marketer and manufacturer of a full name brand, hand held torches and accessories.