In Memoriam: John Wagner

John Wagner, founder and owner of Allegheny Shredders, Delmont, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 10, 2014, at the age of 86.

Wagner founded Allegheny Shredders more than 45 years ago. In 1971, according to the company, he introduced the first high-capacity shredder in the document destruction industry—a 15-horsepower unit—paving the way for increasingly powerful machines and innovative large-scale equipment solutions.

Allegheny Shredders credits the company’s growth and reputation to Wagner’s engineering talent, leadership skills and enthusiasm for providing the customer with quality product.

Wagner’s achievements include “the Auto-Feed System™, Allegheny’s high-impact-resistant T-18 tool steel cutters and the industry’s first truly high-performance, complete destruction system – offering a capacity of over 25 tons per hour,” the company’s website notes.

His legacy in the industry is carried on by his sons and his grandson.

“John was a man of enthusiasm, humor and ‘big thinking,’” the company says in a statement. “As all who knew him will attest, John was devoted to his family, his employees, his customers and his country. He will be sorely missed and never replaced.”