We congratulate Deere & Company, Sandvik, Deister Machine and Eriez


Here at the FocusOn Group we are fortunate to meet with people from startup companies to those working for companies that have been around for a long, long time. Within the industries we serve with our publications, our quick research has concluded that Husqvarna is the oldest of all companies we work with. The company established its first factory in 1689 but no, they were not producing chain saws, leaf blowers or lawn mowers back then. 323 years ago Husqvarna was founded as a weapons foundry.

In this edition of FocusOn Aggregates and Road Construction, we salute four leaders in the aggregates and heavy equipment industries that are marking major milestones in 2012. We congratulate Deere & Company, Sandvik, Deister Machine and Eriez.

175 Years — Deere & Company
John Deere had moved from his home in Vermont to start a small blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois. He later moved the business to Moline, Illinois, where the world headquarters is still located. The company was incorporated as Deere & Company in 1868. From the one—man shop at its inception, Deere currently has more than 60,000 employees worldwide. Click for more

150 Years — Sandvik
January 31 2012 marked exactly 150 years since Goran Fredrik Goransson's company was formed in Sandviken, Sweden. At that time, Sandvik was first in the world to use the Bessemer process, which would revolutionize steel manufacturing. The company quickly became one of the world's leaders in its industry and with the talent, experience and commitment of 50,000 employees across the globe, the company now looks to the future as the journey continues. Click for more

100 Years — Deister Machine Company, Inc.
2012 marks the 100th anniversary for Deister Machine Company, Inc. as a leading manufacturer of high—quality feeding, scalping and screening equipment for the aggregate, mining, coal, asphalt and recycle industries. Deister has remained a family—owned business since its founding in 1912. The Chairman and Co—CEO is Irwin F. Deister, Jr., who recently marked 60 years of service with the company. E. Mark Deister who is President and Co—CEO represents the family's third generation at the company's helm. The company's dedication to the industry began with their grandfather, Emil Deister, the company's founder. Click for more

70 Years — Eriez
Eriez celebrates the company's 70th anniversary this year. Through innovation, organization and diversification, Eriez has evolved into a technologically advanced, financially sound, international company. They have manufacturing facilities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico and South Africa, as well as its Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. headquarters. Eriez has sales offices across the United States and some 80 international markets on five continents. Click for more

John Deere Marks the Company's 175th Anniversary
In 2012, Deere & Company marks the 175th anniversary of its existence, which began when company founder John Deere successfully manufactured and marketed the self—scouring plow in 1837. "John Deere revolutionized agriculture and he made farming in the tough soil of the U.S. Midwest a productive and profitable venture," said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer of Deere & Company. "Our recognition of this special anniversary reminds us of the many thousands of John Deere employees who came before us to make this company a world leader."

Deere had moved from his home in Vermont to start a small blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois. He later moved the business to Moline, Illinois, where the world headquarters is still located. The company was incorporated as Deere & Company in 1868. From the one—man shop at its inception, Deere currently has more than 60,000 employees worldwide.

John Deere is the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment as well as a leader in construction and turf care equipment. Additionally, Deere manufactures engines and powertrains for its own equipment and that of other OEMs, provides credit and other financial services to those who purchase equipment, and is a world leader in precision irrigation.

"John Deere instilled four core values in his company," Allen said. "Today John Deere employees still deliver on the important values of integrity, quality, commitment, and innovation and we believe these values have been the key to the longevity of our enterprise."

Recognition of the 175th anniversary began recently when the John Deere Foundation made a $175,000 grant to help fund Feeding America's BackPack Program that provides children nutritious and easy—to—prepare food they need over the course of a weekend. Since 2007, the John Deere Foundation has been an active supporter of BackPack programs in several communities where Deere has facilities.

That grant is one of many ways Deere's 175th anniversary will be recognized as the year progresses. Deere & Company's recently issued annual report announces the milestone with the number "175" printed in large type on a simple silver cover. The publication reports the story of Deere's record—setting business performance for 2011 on the company's website at www.JohnDeere.com .

Various Deere business units around the globe will recognize the special anniversary for employees as the year progresses and Deere will engage in a citizenship activity that will have a positive impact in many of the communities where John Deere employees live and work. Deere will periodically highlight the anniversary on the company's popular social and internet media channels.

Deere & Company DE —0.34% is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity.

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Sandvik Celebrates 150 Years on 31 January 2012
On 31 January, it will be 150 years to the day since Goran Fredrik Goransson's new company was formed in Sandviken, Sweden. At that time, Sandvik was first in the world to use the Bessemer process, which would revolutionize steel manufacturing. The company quickly became one of the world's leaders in its industry. For 150 years, Sandvik has successfully operated and evolved by continuously being innovative and identifying new opportunities in the markets and through various shifts in technology. With the talent, experience and commitment of 50,000 employees across the globe, we now cast our gaze to the future and continue our journey.

On 31 January, we will hoist the anniversary flag and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display in Sandviken. An anniversary issue of the Group magazine Meet Sandvik has been published in 14 languages and a book presenting the company's successful development will be released in March. During the anniversary year, various events will be arranged by all of Sandvik's companies worldwide.

     


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Deister Machine Company Celebrates a Century of Manufacturing Excellence
Deister Machine Company, Inc. is proud to announce its 100th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of high—quality feeding, scalping and screening equipment for the aggregate, mining, coal, asphalt and recycle industries. Deister has remained a family—owned business since its founding in 1912. "We continue to build upon our century of service via solid engineering and customized screening solutions that allow today's aggregate producers to efficiently meet the most stringent specifications," says Deister Chairman and Co—CEO Irwin F. Deister, Jr., who recently marked 60 years of service with the company. Irwin and E. Mark Deister, President and Co—CEO, represent the family's third generation at the company's helm. The company's dedication to the industry began with their grandfather, Emil Deister, the company's founder.

In the early 1900s, Emil Deister took up the study of ore separation; and eventually, he would patent his own equipment, starting with a centrifugal separator that extracted gold from mercury amalgam, and continuing on to develop ore separating tables. His table is praised in Taggert's Handbook of Ore Dressing, the official textbook at many mining schools, as the first serious competition to the only other kind of ore separating table available at the time.

Emil established his business in 1906 as the Deister Concentrator Company. In 1912, Emil sold his interests in Deister Concentrator Company and established Deister Machine Company, Inc.

Deister Machine Company began manufacturing operations at 1933 East Wayne Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, its current location. The original building, a 5,500 square—foot plant, is still in active use amidst a total operation that today spans more than 360,000 square feet and four plant locations in Fort Wayne. Its line of equipment includes heavy—duty inclined screens, high—speed screens, horizontal screens, dewatering screens, and vibrating feeders and grizzlies. Additionally, Deister recently introduced its new Ultra—Fines Recovery System, as well as its new line of Deister Premium Portable Screening Plants.

Deister equipment is in operation in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries throughout Latin America, as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. According to its engineers, Deister equipment is designed to integrate with all components of the production system, while delivering maximum performance and productivity. In fact, some of the earlier models of Deister vibrating screens are still in operation due to their rugged construction and continued high efficiency.

Additionally, Deister Machine Company supports its industry by being active participants in a variety of key organizations. Today, Irwin F. Deister, Jr. and E. Mark Deister are life members of the NSSGA board, both having served as chairman of its Manufacturers and Services (M & S) Division. In the recent past, Deister Vice President of Marketing and Sales Joe Schlabach served as the Chairman of M & S Division.

Irwin and Mark Deister are proud to say that "the long—term customer relationships, which the company has developed over years of support, consultation and service, have resulted in ongoing improvements in the design, engineering and customization of Deister feeding and screening equipment — a mission never more important in an era when material specifications are tightening and producers are searching for the means to remain profitable in an increasingly competitive business environment."

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Eriez® Celebrates 70 Years in Business in 2012
Eriez® celebrates the company's 70th anniversary in business this year. Through innovation, organization and diversification, Eriez has evolved into a technologically advanced, financially sound, international company with manufacturing facilities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico and South Africa, as well as its Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. headquarters. Eriez has sales offices across the United States and some 80 international markets on five continents.

The company plans to observe its 70th anniversary throughout the year. "We will be celebrating our anniversary year with a number of significant milestones on the horizon for 2012," says Tim Shuttleworth, President and CEO. "There are a number of goals that are well within reach for Eriez in our anniversary year. For example, we plan to continue our safety record for no lost time accidents, open our new Erie Wager Road facility, introduce another innovative product at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) show and hit a new high number of employees worldwide and in Erie. Internationally, Eriez will open new or upgraded plants in Canada, China, India and the United Kingdom."

"To say we have come a long way since our founding in 1942 in the Merwin family basement in Erie would be an understatement," says Shuttleworth. "Our greatest advantage throughout this growth process has been the hardworking Eriez team, past and present. With our superior team in place, there is no limit to what we can accomplish in the future. During this anniversary year, we also want to show our appreciation to our customers, our employees, our suppliers, our shareholders and the communities where we reside."