Pewag Celebrates 30 Years in North America

Enlarge Image Celebrating 30 years of Pewag in the United States at a reception held in May at the Midamerica Club in Chicago are: [from left to right] Thomas Soseman and Sarah Ames, of Thiedmann & Edler Attorney at Law; Andrea Uhrenbacher, wife of Michael Uhrenbacher, general manager & vice-president, Pewag North America; and Gudrun Hager, Austrian Trade Commissioner for the Midwest.

July 1, 2005 — Employees, sales reps, customers, journalists, and partners of Pewag, Inc., gathered at Chicago's MidAmerica Club in the AON Building on May 11 to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary in the United States. Given by Gudrun Hager, Austrian Trade Commissioner for the Midwest, the reception hosted 150 of Pewag's top customers and special guests, including Dr. Robert Zischg, the new Austrian Consulate General in Chicago, and U.S. Olympic boxing contender Don Akers from Texas, who held a motivational seminar for the company.

 

After an introductory speech by Hager, who stressed the importance of the U.S. market for Austrian companies, Michael W. Uhrenbacher, general manager and vice president of Pewag North America, explained to the group how product innovation and a focus on high-end technology has helped to establish the company as one of the largest and most innovative chain manufacturers in the world. Next to technological innovation, Uhrenbacher also pointed out in his speech the need for excellent customer service in order to maintain existing business effectively as well as win new customers.

 

With more than 200 years of tradition, the origin of its parent company, Pewag, Inc., dates back to 1797 when a hammer mill was founded in Austria. In 1975, Pewag was one of the first Austrian companies to open a branch in the United States, and Pewag North America is one of more than 250 Austrian businesses that have established subsidiaries in the United States. Today, the company provides round-link steel chains for multiple applications from three primary U.S. locations: Burr Ridge, Ill.; Newcastle, Calif.; and Reno, NV.

 

In addition to tire and conveyor chains, Pewag sells a wide variety of overhead lifting chains, components, and hoist chains. The first manufacturer in the world to introduce Grade 100 chains and components in 1992, Pewag unveiled its new Grade 120 profile chain in 2003 — or what it refers to as “the world's strongest chain.” According to the company, Grade 120 is more than 50% stronger and up to 40% lighter than the standard Grade 80 chains used in many lifting applications today. Designed for severe applications, the chain is also substantially more wear-resistant and easy to identify by its powder-coated blue finish. The new Grade 120 profile chain will be used in the construction of the new Trump Tower in Chicago, located a few blocks from the AON Building.