Columbus McKinnon Corp. celebrates 140 years in business

Amherst, New York-based Columbus McKinnon Corp. is celebrating its 140th anniversary as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services in 2015.

Designed to efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position and secure materials, the company says its key products include hoists, cranes, actuators, rigging tools and digital power and motion control systems that are used everywhere from offshore oil platforms to international sporting events.  

“Service, innovation, quality products and engineered solutions have been the foundation of Columbus McKinnon for the past 140 years and will propel us into the future,” says Tim Tevens, president and chief executive officer. “We will not deviate from our mission to provide safe and productive solutions for our customers.”

He adds, “As we celebrate our 140th anniversary, we look toward the future and the next 140 years of invention and growth.”

With origins dating back to 1875, Columbus McKinnon says its history of innovation includes many significant advances in the material handling industry, including the invention of the Weston

Screw Load Brake, the world’s first alloy chain, the Hammerlok mechanical chain coupling link, the first worm gear actuator business; and the early development of the rack and pinion mechanical jack.  

The company’s C Lodestar electric chain hoist, first introduced in 1955, is relied on by material handling professionals around the world for the most demanding and challenging applications, the company says.

Columbus McKinnon also developed turnkey systems specifically designed to reduce scrap tires into valuable, tire-derived materials.

Most recently, Columbus McKinnon acquired Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based Magnetek Inc., a designer and manufacturer of digital power and motion control solutions for material handling, elevators and mining applications. With this purchase, the company says it will be able to create more competitive and comprehensive material handling solutions for its customers.

Columbus McKinnon has approximately 3,000 employees in more than 70 sales, manufacturing and warehousing facilities worldwide.