Superior Abrasives, LLC. has seen many milestones since the origination of Superior Rotary Tools in the 1960’s. Product and facility expansions, additional equipment and capabilities – all were done to grow as an industry resource.
Ten years ago, in 2012, Superior Abrasives was acquired by the Rüggeberg Group, parent company of PFERD Inc. Support from the Rüggeberg Group and our association with PFERD have provided us with additional resources in technology, product development and increased efficiencies that have translated to even greater value to our customers. Since the acquisition, we have become a part of a major international company that has such a long and successful history, and the desire to grow Superior has always been evident.
Only three years after acquisition, a ground breaking ceremony was held for our new, 100,000 square foot facility – over three times larger than the existing Superior Abrasives facility. Since the new facility was opened in 2016, production growth occurred quickly – mounted flap wheel cutting and gluing operations, automated belt production, full-width die cutting and unmounted flap wheel operations, among many other improvements.
There have been many changes in the last ten years, but our history goes much further than that.
In the early 2010’s, the Cook family, founders of Superior Abrasives, were ready to retire. Paul and Jean Cook were adamant in finding another owner that would care for the company as they did since 1962. After months of searching, the perfect suiters were found in the Rüggeberg Group. On November 1st, 2012, Paul and Jean Cook, alongside current President, Lynne Henson, introduced the new owners of Superior Abrasives, LLC. Mr. Jörn Bielenberg and Cristel Ruggeberg congratulated the Cooks on their newfound retirement and promised the employees of Superior that they would remain independent of PFERD, upholding the structure that Superior had built through their own team.
The entire team of Superior is continually grateful for the opportunities the Rüggeberg Group have presented. Happy anniversary, and here’s to many more.