Several companies from across the coal sector have marked anniversaries in late 2024 and early 2025. Here are just a few celebrating long legacies in mining.
by Donna Schmidt and Mark Kuhar
Cincinnati Mine Machinery celebrates a century
In 1924, Cincinnati Mine Machinery was a newcomer to the coal mining community, but the Ohio company is now among the oldest – marking its 100th anniversary of manufacturing high performance forged components for numerous heavy industries.
The privately held CMM was founded in the early 1920s but acquired by the senior Stenger, Edwin. The executive line-up today is made up of President and CEO Robert (Bob) Stenger, Operations Manager and Treasurer Anthony (Tony) Stenger, and Sales and Marketing Director Robert Jr. (Bobby) Stenger, with the latter two comprising the Stenger family’s fourth generation.
“It’s an incredible accomplishment for any company to survive 100 years,” said Bob Stenger. “Much less to do it as a family-owned and operated business. I think this milestone reflects the strong partnerships we’ve developed over the past century by manufacturing rugged and reliable components that have enabled miners to do more and deliver more every day.
“Our ongoing commitment to first-rate service and matchless innovation is tremendously important because this is not just the place where we work – it’s our family’s history and legacy.”
To this day, during the company’s product development stages, CMM engineers and sales representatives with hands-on expertise in equipment maintenance are present at mine sites to get direct feedback from miners on what’s working and what’s not to enhance overall component performance.
Initially focused solely on cutter chains, CMM’s forged block and connector distinguished the product from cast-and-fabricated alternatives, and helped establish its reputation for quality and durability. From there, it innovated continuously on products that would enhance mining productivity.
How much can things change in 100 years? Bob, Bobby and Tony Stenger are continuing the legacy of Bob’s grandfather, Edwin Stenger, taking what was a regional company global and growing across the coal and trona industries as well as salt, potash and gypsum.
In the early 1970s, CMM introduced its universal connector conveyor chain, which remains widely recognized as the strongest chain available. That time period also welcomed the 814 Ripperveyor chain for the JOY 11CM miner, and the 734 chain for the Jeffrey Heliminer 120-H machine. These two chains represented significant advancements, both for CMM and miners, who immediately achieved higher productivity and longer service life.
CMM, still based in Ohio with a staff of 40, now has facilities in seven U.S. states and four countries, and has a distribution network worldwide. About 40% of its business today is international.
“We think we’ve added value to the industry,” the senior Stenger said. “We’ve got a great group of people that have been long-time employees with us for many years, and we’re happy we’re able to survive for this long period of time.”
“Everything that we try to accomplish on a yearly basis continues to be positive for us. We can’t predict what the world’s going to do, but…coal is not going anywhere. It may not be what it was five, ten or twenty years ago, but it’s certainly not going to go away anytime soon,” added Tony Stenger.
Putting it all into perspective was Bobby Stenger. “As long as we have the right people in place and Washington, D.C., does what it’s supposed to, I think the future is bright for the coal industry,” he said.
It’s a golden anniversary for Conn-Weld
Conn-Weld formally celebrated its 50th anniversary at this year’s AGG1 show, but it is just the first of many celebrations planned throughout the year.
From humble beginnings, Conn-Weld has expanded into a 500,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, manufacturing equipment from raw materials to finished products, and shipping worldwide to diverse markets.
Founded in 1975 in Princeton, W.Va. – the heart of coal country – Conn-Weld’s story began in a modest 2,000-sq.-ft. garage producing profile wire screens. James D. Connolly, the visionary founder, purchased land from a tenacious farmer who was initially reluctant to sell. Yet through the years, with Connolly’s persistence, the farmer eventually sold off his cow pasture acre by acre, paving the way for what would become the vast site Conn-Weld occupies today.
With no formal college education, Connolly was known for his business acumen pioneering a patented fusion welding process, Tuff-Screens, still prevalent in Conn-Weld’s manufacturing processes.
His philosophy was simple yet profound: providing a quality product, in a timely manner, backed by dependable service. This principle led him to establish his own wire mill in Dublin, Va., ensuring consistent quality and supply for customers. What began in a garage grew into a thriving enterprise, thanks to Connolly’s determination – and perhaps a few persuasive conversations with that once-stubborn farmer.
By 2010, Conn-Weld had grown strategically in the aggregate industry for two decades targeting specific customers and regions. When Sean Weisiger joined as the first district manager dedicated solely to aggregates, the company faced the challenge of expanding pursuit of the aggregates industry nationwide and proving itself beyond its coal industry roots.
Recalling what drew him to Conn-Weld, Weisiger said, “A tour of the manufacturing facility coupled with the passion of its employees convinced me that this was an organization and team I wanted to join. To this day a tour of the facilities to see firsthand the capabilities and the infectious enthusiasm of the tradespeople creating our equipment is a trip worth taking.”
Weisiger often remembers Connolly saying, “If I had listened to every ‘don’t,’ ‘never,’ and ‘can’t,’ Conn-Weld wouldn’t exist today.” Now vice president of Aggregates, Weisiger reflected, “I knew the road wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew I had an incredible team behind me. The level of technical support and the dedication from our engineering and manufacturing teams were unlike anything I’d experienced before.”
Conn-Weld’s commitment to maintaining a robust inventory defied the typical lean practices seen elsewhere. With the Infrastructure Bill soon to be passed, this approach proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While supply chains worldwide faltered, Conn-Weld not only met its lead times but doubled its workforce, employing more than 300 people today.
Over the last 15 years Conn-Weld has successfully shared this combination of support and supply with the aggregates industry and is proud and honored to be viewed as not just a supplier, but a partner with many valued customers.
The road ahead
After the company’s founder, James D. Connolly, passed away in 2014, Conn-Weld transitioned into new ownership. Having interviewed several potential buyers, they were determined to find someone that would keep the Conn-Weld they knew intact.
In November 2020, they found that someone in a longtime customer, Cliff Forrest, who believed in its products. Woodie, who has been with the company for 38 years, said he is appreciative to Forrest for entrusting him to assume the role of president saying, “Cliff’s values of investing in our people and our capabilities not only aligns with Conn-Weld’s philosophy but is continuing to pave the road for continued success.”
Caterpillar’s momentous milestone
Caterpillar is celebrating a century of customer-centric innovation and industry-leading transformation.
In late February, Caterpillar kicked off the new year and its 100th anniversary with celebrations to be held throughout the U.S. and globally that commemorate the monumental milestone. The iconic manufacturer officially turned 100 on April 15.
“Our success over the last 100 years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the continued trust of our customers and the support of our dealers and business partners,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby.
“I am proud to lead such a strong team, and I’m confident Caterpillar will continue to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world over the next 100 years.”
On January 9, the Centennial World Tour embarked on its journey to visit Caterpillar facilities around the world and provide an interactive and immersive experience for employees and visitors. So far celebrations have taken place in Sanford, N.C. and Peoria, Ill. At the company’s global headquarters in Irving, Texas, the families of company founders C.L. Best and Benjamin Holt plan to gather with company leaders and employees to celebrate.
The company is also commemorating the milestone with limited-edition “Centennial Grey” painted machines available for purchase this year.
The Holt Manufacturing Company and the C.L. Best Tractor Co. merged to form what was then known as the Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1925. From the company’s first track-type tractor to autonomous construction and mining equipment and engines that power the world today, Caterpillar products and services have helped its customers complete projects that have shaped the modern world. Caterpillar invites its global employees, customers and stakeholders to join in its 100th anniversary celebrations all year long.
Tsurumi Pump celebrates 100th
Tsurumi Pump, a pioneering pump manufacturer founded in 1924 in Osaka, Japan, proudly marked its 100th anniversary in the autumn of 2024. The company has focused on technical excellence since its inception as an equipment manufacturer, gaining recognition across Asia and expanding to the United States and Europe.
In 1979, Tsurumi America Inc. was established, creating a strong network of dealers, distributors and partners. The company’s resolute commitment to quality has driven its success in various markets, including construction, mining, flood remediation, food processing, wastewater treatment, and water features.
“My favorite part about working at Tsurumi is that we focus so heavily on supplying our customers and our clients’ solutions to their issues and water problems,” said Glenn Wieczorek, Tsurumi’s managing director. “We sell pumps, but we really sell solutions to challenges.”
Mike Grant, the company’s portable market sales manager, highlighted Tsurumi’s commitment to quality products and excellent customer service.
“When you sell a product of unparalleled quality, it makes your job so much easier,” he said. “We manufacture an exceptional pump, the best in the industry. There is none better. We complement this with excellent service, backed by a great team.”