A rich story that began with Allis-Chalmers over 100 years ago

The Story of Ludman Industries

When you think of Allis-Chalmers (A-C), you may envision a bold orange tractor plowing a cornfield or the unmistakable historic A-C logo.

However, Allis-Chalmers, for many years, was synonymous with mining, mineral and food-grade machinery, producing materials that you rely on daily. For instance, Allis-Chalmers identified demand in many industries for machinery that agglomerated or crushed over- and under-sized product.

The Early Stages of Our Story

Allis-Chalmers Corporation was formed in 1901 by merging the Edward P. Allis, Fraser & Chalmers, and Gates firms. In addition, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI USA, it employed tens of thousands of people and was a massive conglomerate for industrial equipment. However, it underwent a series of divestitures in the 1980s.

Rugged, Reliable Machines

Allis-Chalmers machines that compacted material were classified as compactors and briquetters. Comparatively, crushing machines were known as roll crushers or granulators and flake breakers. Further, machines that flake grains and other material took the names flaking mills and shredding mills. These machines have maintained their names, but have evolved tremendously over the years. Moreover, Allis-Chalmers began manufacturing these simple, robust machines with counter-rotating rolls, near the beginning of the 20th Century. Rolls compress or crush material to achieve the best solution for each end-use.

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Known for technology and innovation

Allis-Chalmers developed the first roll compactor, during the 1920s. The company was synonymous for its inventiveness. Likewise, Nikola Tesla, famed inventor and engineer, worked for Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, WI USA from 1919-1922. Allis-Chalmers and Ludman, moreover, have produced equipment to process these and many more applications, over the years:

  • Diverse fertilizers for food
  • Raw minerals
  • A variety of chemicals
  • Extensive list of foods
  • Rock salt for wintry roads
  • Food-grade table salt
  • Water softener pellets
  • Gun powder
  • Various coal applications
  • Furnace fuel
  • Recyclable waste materials
  • Water and wastewater treatment applications
  • Cereal
  • Animal feed
  • Grains, hops, barley, etc.
  • Grist milled for beer

In conclusion, this list is just a glimpse at what our machines have processed. For more information about material that you would like processed, call or email us.

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Story of Ludman's Evolution

Firstly, Ludman Machine Company was founded in the USA by immigrant machinist Louis Jakober in 1968 to perform subcontract work for Allis-Chalmers's Mining and Food Divisions. Moreover, Ludman purchased product lines from these divisions in 1986. That is to say, over the years, Ludman continues to build upon the robust tradition of manufacturing rugged and reliable agglomeration and sizing equipment for many industries.

Not only building custom machines for agglomeration and size reduction

Meanwhile, President & CEO James P. Lenahan changed Ludman Machine Company's name to Ludman Industries in 2011 to match his vision for the company. Ludman Industries provides complete turnkey system process solutions for compaction plants, in addition to designing, building and servicing OEM compactorsbriquettersflake breakersgranulatorsflaking mills, and shredding mills.

Above all, we provide value-added services for our customers

In 2013, Ludman, for instance, was named a Future 50 Company by the MMAC.

Lastly, visit our News Page to keep up with Ludman Industries special product and service releases. If you are interested in learning more about a career at Ludman Industries, visit our Career Page. In conclusion, call us today to learn how you can become a part of the Ludman story.