Eriez reflects on 80 years

Eriez’s story began in 1942 when the company’s founder O.F. Merwin installed a permanent magnet in a grain mill. Eighty years later, the magnetic separation, flotation, metal detection and material handling equipment technology company has a workforce of more than 900 people at 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries on six continents, is a world leader. 

Eriez serves the mining, processing, packaging, food, recycling, aggregate and metalworking industries. The company says its process engineers and scientists have developed innovations 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.

Eriez remains a family company, with O.F. Merwin’s grandson Richard Merwin serving as chairman. Richard Merwin’s late father, Bob Merwin, had a global vision for Eriez and took the company into international markets in the 1950s.   

Richard Merwin says, “Our board of directors, past and present, 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.” 

Eriez President and CEO Lukas Guenthardt adds, “We are lucky to have ownership and a board of directors who value long-term investments and profitable growth over short-term profits. 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.” 

While product innovation has contributed to Eriez’s position as a global leader, the company’s management asserts that it is the company’s employees who really make the difference. “The integrity, commitment, responsiveness and unmatched customer service provided by our outstanding staff is what truly keeps us on the leading-edge,” Guenthardt says.  

Eriez employees give generously of their financial resources, time and talents to philanthropic causes. “As a corporation and as individuals, we are dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact on the well-being of the communities where we live and work. We believe this approach produces an atmosphere where businesses and communities can collaborate and prosper,” he adds.

The company’s network of longtime sales representatives also has played a significant role in the company’s history and success, according to the company’s leaders, as has its 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 Eriez has special events planned throughout the course of 2022 to commemorate this milestone anniversary and recognize customers and employees for their loyalty and partnership.