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Highlights of PFlow Industries' History

1977 — Bob Pfleger reached the end of an influential 20-year career in the dock business. Bob started PFlow Industries in Milwaukee with an idea that pioneered the way and created a new product called the inclined vertical conveyor.

1979 — A huge fire damages majority of a plant in Columbus, Ohio. The structure of a PFlow Hy-Lift kept the wall from collapsing saving the lives of four people.

1980 — Ted Ruehl joins PFlow. PFlow’s first international Hy-Lift is installed in Belgium.

1981 — PFlow replaces the “inclined reciprocating conveyor” with the “vertical reciprocating conveyor.”

1983 — PFlow introduces the F Series, 4-post VRC and expands the Hy-Lift product line to 12,000 lbs and 15’ x 15.’

1984 — PFlow starts full-scale manufacturing and moves into a 3500 sq. ft. office and 13,000 sq. ft. plant in Milwaukee.

1987 — PFlow has successfully changed the individual state codes of all 50 states, making VRCs available for installation throughout the country.

1989 — May goes down in history – 70 lifts sold in one month.

1990 —PFlow introduces a new paint system designed to cover every surface and literally “wrap around corners.”

1992 — The D Series hydraulic lift and the 21 Series hydraulic lift is introduced.
Mark Webster and Ted Ruehl are promoted to VPs.

1994 — PFlow co-founder Herb Ruehl retires. Herb defined and classified the VRC for their use and not their look.
PFlow adds on 2,600 sq. ft. of office space.

1997 — PFlow designs two windows that split like freight elevator doors for a home in Florida. At 33’ wide x 22’ high (17,000 lbs each) the windows welcome in the coastal breeze.

1999 — PFlow assists with a large modular automated parking system that was noted in the Wall Street Journal.
PFlow transitions to an ESOP business.

2001 — PFlow expands its manufacturing space by 38,000 sq. ft.
PFlow designs a servo-hydraulic lift system capable of transporting an RV.

Cartveyor is introduced; a shopping cart conveyor that can run parallel with a passenger escalator or as a stand-alone unit.

2002 — Bob Pfleger: March 7, 2002. A friend, mentor, and innovator is lost, but a legend never dies.
Ted Ruehl is appointed president.

2003 — PFlow purchased our current facility that includes 125,000 sq. ft. of office and manufacturing space.

2006 — PFlow acquires Langley Manufacturing – a longtime lift competitor.

2008 — The PFlow F Series creates a passageway into the Texas Memorial Stadium for the world’s largest bass drum, Big Bertha!
PFlow volunteers have been donating blood and helping save lives for 10 years.

2009 — Carol Moore, a 1977 PFlow pioneer, retires. Carol frequented PFlow PFacts with her “Secretary’s Note.”

2013 — PFlow designs a very large 4-post lift to clean the lens of the world’s largest telescope, known as LSST.

2014 — PFlow acquires a neighboring 26,000 sq. ft. building for expansion.

2016 — 17,000 PFlow Lifts Sold Worldwide!

2017 — PFlow celebrates 40 years of service!
The Quantum Drive is introduced. Designed for PFlow’s mechanical two-post lifts, the “MQ” reduces vibration and increases safety.

2018 — VP of Marketing and Cartveyor Sales, David Dux, retires after 34 years at PFlow.
VP of Sales, Dan Walters, retires after 31 years at PFlow.

2019 — Pat Koppa joins PFlow Industries as president.

2020 — CEO, Ted Ruehl, retires after 40 years with PFlow. PFlow Industries becomes a 100% employee-owned company.

2021 — Ted Ruehl named Chairman of the Board.