The Eriez story began in 1942 when founder O.F. Merwin installed a permanent magnet in a grain mill. The company today has a workforce of more than 900 individuals located throughout 12 subsidiaries on six continents.
Over eight decades, Eriez has worked in the mining, processing, packaging, food, recycling, aggregate, and metalworking industries. Company process engineers and scientists have worked in the areas of rare earth magnets, superconducting technology, flotation, vibratory feeders, metal detection, auto scrap recycling equipment, suspended electromagnets, eddy current separation, and proprietary manufacturing techniques.
O.F. Merwin's grandson Richard Merwin currently serves as Chairman. Richard's late father, Bob Merwin, had a global vision for Eriez and took the company into international markets in the 1950s.
"Our Board of Directors, past and present," Richard Merwin says, "has embraced and supported deliberate and bold ongoing initiatives for global strategic growth. Their consistent, sound and ethical guidance is a major factor in Eriez's continuing success."
"We are lucky to have ownership and a Board of Directors who value long-term investments and profitable growth over short-term profits," says Eriez president and CEO Lukas Guenthardt. "We have worked hard at building and maintaining loyal customers that value the quality and trust the reliability of our products and services. With a focus on continuous product advancement and market expansion, both domestically and overseas, Eriez is poised to thrive for years to come."
Eriez's management asserts that it is the team of people who really make the difference.
The Eriez team is made up of more than just its direct employees. The company's network of longtime sales representatives has played a significant role in the company's history and success, according to Eriez's leadership.
Another contributing factor that helps Eriez is its heavy focus on marketing communications.
"We put a strong emphasis on sustaining maximum customer engagement," says Eriez Senior Director of Global Marketing and Brand Management John Blicha. "We believe in making significant investments, both in terms of time and finances, to advertising, branding, public relations, trade shows, digital marketing and customer education."
Blicha says the company has some special events planned throughout the course of 2022 to commemorate this milestone anniversary and recognize customers and employees for their loyalty and partnership.