Author Archive: Sales and Support

Product Guide: How Often Should I Get My Equipment Inspected?

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Regardless of the type of industrial equipment you have on-site, you can perform some necessary standard tests to ensure that every piece of equipment is safe and working to its maximum capacity. Simply follow this guide next time you’re doing the rounds.

What Should Your Equipment Inspection Cover?

You should concentrate your inspection on all aspects of the machine that can impact the operator’s safety and the individual parts that degrade due to wear and tear. The equipment may need some testing as part of the investigation, and in some cases, you might need to do some dismantling.

For the majority of industrial equipment, there are three standard methods used to conduct an inspection. These include:

  • Functional and visual examinations
  • Measuring wear and tear
  • Non-destructive and load testing

It’s helpful for you to record when each inspection is conducted to know when the next one is due. 

How Frequently Should Your Equipment Get Inspected?

A quick inspection should take place every time you’re about to use the equipment. You should check the electrical cables, the safety buttons or switches are working, and the lighting is operating appropriately.

More extensive investigations should occur at the end of the working week and involve looking at specific areas of the machine. You should check all of the protective guards connected to the equipment that will keep employees safe and that all of the functioning parts that deteriorate are working correctly and don’t need replacing.

Thorough exams require you to perform extensive testing to ensure that your machine can handle the jobs it needs to perform. This should happen every three months at a minimum. However, the older the equipment gets, the more frequently you may need to check it to ensure that it’s still up to the task.

Who Should Carry Out the Inspection?

The responsibility of carrying out equipment investigations requires someone with sufficient knowledge and experience of the machines they’re inspecting and, depending on the equipment, may need to be certified. They’ll need to know what to look for and how to identify a problem with the product. Ideally, they should also know what needs to be done when there is an issue.

When Should You Refer to the Machine’s Product Guide?

Upon one of your inspections, you’re bound to find a problem that requires reviewing the product guide to resolve the issue. It might be to check a warranty, or it could relate to a part that needs replacing.

We provide new and refurbished parts for a range of industrial machinery. Don’t wait until it’s broken; contact us today to find out how we can keep your equipment up and running. 

Industrial Equipment Maintenance 101: Overhead Cranes

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Overhead cranes require constant maintenance to operate safely. They’re always doing our heavy lifting. They need someone to lift them every once and a while as well.

You need to have a preventative maintenance program in place. A maintenance program like the one we’ve linked will help you space out your daily and less frequent inspections into a pattern that’s both manageable and logical.

How to Use This Guide

We’ve broken this guide down into four easily digestible sections:

  1. We define the kinds of inspections and equipment maintenance you should be doing daily.
  2. We define the kinds of maintenance you should be doing monthly and yearly.
  3. We break down the checklist building process for each of those time frames.
  4. We have a guideline you should follow to determine when your equipment is too old to keep functioning safely.

In addition to this guide, we also advise you to look up your specific crane manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines.

Once you follow these steps, you’ll be in a great position to care for your companies’ assets and guarantee your warehouses’ overhead crane safety!

1. Daily Maintenance

Daily maintenance of your overhead crane usually comes down to checking in on your crane’s critical safety features. That means you will be checking travel stops, engine health, and the hook or chain hoist that attaches to the item you’re moving.

When you’re checking the limit switches or stopping blocks on your crane’s track, check the following.

  1. Make sure the switches are secured tightly to the track.
  2. Make sure no ropes, tubing, or wiring is in danger of kinking or is showing signs of wear.
  3. Before using a chain of any kind, check the links for deformation, corrosion, or other damage.
  4. Listen for unusual noises from your crane’s engine and bearings.

If you notice anything abnormal, then contact an OEM service technician immediately.

2. Less Frequent Maintenance

Less frequent types of maintenance that you should be doing are called scheduled maintenance. Care like this applies to monthly or yearly industrial equipment maintenance and inspections by OEM service techs.

Other instances include regular lubrication of the crane’s moving parts, replacing damaged parts, and not preventing your overhead crane operator from regularly lifting overcapacity. You should also check in on your crane’s clutch and brake pads every six months or so.

You can obtain information about scheduling each of these activities by reaching out to your overhead crane manufacturer.

3. How to Develop a Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance checklists are an essential part of any preventative maintenance program. This article is an excellent resource for the preventive maintenance guidelines you should be adhering to daily.

Next, map your checklist out on a calendar so that you can include checkboxes for less regular maintenance activities that you perform on your cranes.

Mapping out your maintenance on a calendar will help you visualize the steps you need to take to keep your equipment operating as it should.

Also, keep an equipment maintenance log for the less frequently occurring check-ins and part replacements to stay timely.

4. How to Know When to Replace Your Overhead Cranes

Overhead cranes often have a lifespan of 10 years as a minimum. If you properly maintain your crane, you can expect up to 50 years of continuous operation.

However, if you don’t maintain your crane, then a 10-year lifespan might be a bit optimistic.

So, how do you know when the lifespan of your overhead crane has come to an end?

You can look at a few factors.

  1. If the crane costs more to maintain, than it generates revenue (by moving material and allowing your employees to do efficient work).
  2. If your crane breaks down more often than it’s functioning, you might also want to consider an upgrade.

Both of these symptoms can signal an unsafe work environment. Schedule yearly checks for these signs in your company meetings.

Get Lifting!

For more useful tips on maintaining your companies assets, head over to our blog!

3 Helpful Tips on Streamlining Manufacturing Costs

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Throughout the United States, there are more than 30 million small businesses. If you’re a part of one of them, you may be familiar with a common issue: high manufacturing costs.

No matter the product your company makes, you have to deal with the costs of creating your product. And many times these costs are higher than you’d like them to be.

That’s why we’ve created this article outlining three helpful tips to streamline your manufacturing costs, so they’re less of a burden on your bottom line. Keep reading for more information.

1. Utilize Build-to-Order and Mass-Customized Inventory

One fundamental way to reduce your manufacturing costs is to produce two types of products. The first is built-to-order. The second is a mass-customized inventory.

This way, you can fulfill the demand for both regular and custom orders while still reducing manufacturing costs. In both approaches, once you get an order, you’ll be able to fulfill it right away.

Using this approach can help you eliminate carrying costs, ranging from up to 25 percent of your inventory value on hand. You can also reduce your procurement costs using these methods, which can significantly help your profit margin.

2. Focus on the Most Profitable Products

Next, let’s talk about another one of the most helpful tips for streamlining manufacturing your costs: focusing on your most profitable products. This is a great way to reduce manufacturing costs, but also can help with:

  • simplifying operations
  • improving productivity
  • increasing profit
  • expanding cash flow

And what business owner wouldn’t like those benefits?

Here’s how it works. Look at your product lineup, and eliminate your lowest-profit products. Also, look for products for which you could outsource production. And then look at your highest-profit products, and make a plan to focus on these.

Commonly, 60 percent of a product line contributes less than 10 percent of the total margin. That’s why going through the product line rationalization efforts can have a significant effect on your bottom line.

3. Evaluate the Cost vs. Benefit of Quality

As any manufacturer knows, quality cost reduction is a crucial part of managing costs. This is the process of assessing and adjusting the manufacturing process. 

The idea here is that you can use cheaper materials to create the same product quality, instantly improving your bottom line. But the risk is that more inexpensive materials have the potential to decrease the quality of your finished product.

It’s important to consider past quality issues as you’re going through this process. This will help you avoid problems that you’ve encountered before.

Helpful Tips for Streamlining Manufacturing Costs

There you have it: three of our top helpful tips for reducing manufacturing costs for your business. Now that you’ve read through these ideas, it’s time to make a specific plan for your company based on your unique situation.

Have additional questions or want to learn more? Contact our team today with any other inquiries.

How to Accurately Complete Daily Overhead Crane Inspections

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Daily safety checks are vital for safety in an industrial environment. Safety checks are necessary to help prevent crane-related deaths, which average around 42 per year, besides injuries. 

Completing daily visual overhead crane inspections is an essential aspect of maintaining a safe overhead crane. Learn how to do this here correctly.

What’s Included in Overhead Crane Inspections?

To do a thorough inspection of your overhead crane, you’ll want to check for signs of heat damage and wear and tear on your equipment. Also, check the surrounding floor area to be sure it is clear of obstacles and debris.

Test the controls and make sure they don’t get stuck or set off warning alarms. Be sure that nothing is in the way of moving parts or close enough to become entangled. There should be no loose wires or broken parts, and all labels must be firmly affixed.

Hooks should not be bent, misshapen, cracked, or show other structural damage. It’s also essential that all safety guards are correctly installed. Parts should not scrape or grind against each other and should be able to rotate a full 360 degrees.

You should not see any leaking oil or hydraulic fluid, hook drift, or jams that happen on the overhead track. Make sure hydraulic, and air brakes work as intended.

Ropes and chains should be free of breaks, tears, kinks, or signs of noticeable heat and stress damage. Check each link and inspect all the way around, not just from one direction.

Tools for Completing the Inspection

During your inspection, you can use several tools to help it go smoothly and save time. Here are three tools: 

Daily Inspection Form

The daily inspection form will help you remember each overhead crane part you need to check. During the inspection process, you can refer back to it as many times are you need to ensure you don’t miss something. 

If you’re not sure what to include on the inspection form, ask if there’s one already available. You could also have an experienced coworker help you create the list or download a pre-made list from a reputable site.

Specialty Software

There’s a special software for crane inspections, so check with your company to see if they use it. If not, it might be something to suggest.

Good crane inspection software will help you know what you need to check for your specific equipment. It can help you generate checklists and track inspections that you have already completed.

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps that run specialized crane inspection software add an extra layer of convenience. You can carry a cell phone with you and run through your inspections without bringing a bulky laptop.

Mobile apps remove the need for having to transfer data recorded on paper into your computer database.

Best Practices and More

If you’ve found this article about overhead crane inspections helpful, feel free to check out our other blog articles.

We provide news and industry information about industrial equipment, maintenance, parts, and service. You can find our blog and contact information here.

Environmentally Sustainable Hardware: What We Offer

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Sustainable and eco-friendly ideals have now reached every industry around for multiple good reasons. For one, “green” practices protect the planet we all share. They also boost your reputation among your clientele who are passionate about conservation.

Of course, it’s easier to make sustainable choices in some industries and situations than others. Still, you can take steps to make your industrial equipment more environmentally-friendly. Namely, you can choose more sustainable hardware. Luckily, Kor-Pak offers several eco-friendly products for various applications.

Gatke Phenolics and Laminates

Phenolics and laminates are useful for a wide range of friction applications. Did you know they make your processes more sustainable too? These products are self-lubricating, giving them a longer life with slower wear compared to competitors. That means you’ll need fewer replacements, saving the environment from excess manufacturing.

Gatke is specifically known for its long-lasting products. Now that Gatke is a Scan-Pac brand, Kor-Pak is proud to provide Gatke products as a Scan-Pac distributor. 

Energy-Efficient AC/DC Drives

Energy efficiency is a critical part of your sustainability. This is especially true when it comes to something with heavy power usage like a crane. Cut down on that power usage with high-quality AC or DC drives depending on your crane’s needs.

While we offer a variety of both AC and DC drives, we only distribute high-quality products which, among other advantages, are designed for energy efficiency.  

Brakes for Wind Energy Resources

One of the most extensive ways to protect the planet is by using cleaner energy sources like wind, water, and solar power. The wind energy industry is expected to grow from 113 gigawatts (GW) in 2020 to 404 GW by 2050. Kor-Pak is proud to contribute to these efforts by serving the wind energy industry.

We offer a wide range of yaw brakes and calipers for wind turbines and other types of wind energy equipment. You can take advantage of this for your business by installing your own wind energy equipment to generate clean energy. If you do, we’re your source for any yaw brakes you need.

Full Selection of Energy-Efficient Products

Some certain products and brands place a special emphasis on energy efficiency for environmental protection. However, overall, part of your energy efficiency depends on using high-quality industrial hardware items that work well together. The smoother your operation is, the less energy it will require.

That’s our specialty at Kor-Pak. We provide the highest quality of industrial brakes and other industrial hardware. It’s all designed to give you an optimal performance so you can make the most of every joule. Not only will this give you the benefit of a more sustainable operation, but it lowers your energy costs too. 

How to Find Sustainable Hardware for Your Industrial Equipment

Every industrial setup is unique. To truly make your operation as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, you need the help of a dedicated professional. Contact our industrial brake and hardware specialists today to find out the best ways to optimize and upgrade your equipment.

 

How Does It Work: Demag Cranes

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Cranes were originally discovered back in 515 B.C. in Greece to help build the Greek temple. Today they are still used in industrial and construction applications to erect huge buildings that wouldn’t be possible without their help.

Keep reading to learn what Demag cranes are and how they work.

What Is a Demag Crane and Why Choose Them?

Demag is a company that builds industrial cranes. Typically used in manufacturing, Demag cranes have a reputation for being well-built, reliable, and promote safe work environments.

This company has a passion for building long-last and well-performing cranes. They are uncompromising in their quality and performance since 1819—those 200 years of experience show when you choose Demag cranes & components.

How Demag Cranes Work

Demag cranes work much like any other crane works. They are there to hoist large, heavy equipment into the correct spot for your project. In a balance-styled crane, its beam is balanced at a point that allows it to lift weighty pieces with a small amount of force.

Think of it like a lever or a teeter-totter. When one side goes down, the other goes up.

When you see these cranes in action, it almost seems impossible. They’re able to lift any number of things in your job site, such as:

  • Steel
  • Concrete
  • Large tools
  • Generators
  • Drywall slabs
  • Lights

Anything you need at the top of your job site, you can rely on your Demag crane to get the job done.

Types of Demag Cranes

Many types of cranes are used for a variety of industries.

Process cranes are built to meet your specific job requirements. These process cranes use automated technology and overhead cranes to handle large loads and streamline your procedures.

Next is overhead cranes, also commonly referred to as bridge cranes. Overhead cranes use parallel runways with a bridge that runs across the gap. Then the lifting component of the crane, commonly called a hoist, travels across that bridge.

Overhead cranes are great for manufacturing applications where they don’t move around (like they would at construction sites).

What Is a Demag Crane Kit?

Depending on what you’re using your crane for, you may want to get other Demag crane parts, such as a Demag crane kit.

Inside the crane, kits are customized with additional pieces to make your Demag crane even more efficient.

Some of the crane kits include:

  • Single overhead traveling crane kit
  • Single overhead suspension crane kit
  • Double overhead traveling crane kit

The crane kits are user friendly and can help your business meet its exact needs. 

Get Your Demag Crane Today

Request a quote from us today to start being more efficient in your work.

Know someone who could benefit from this? Then be sure to share this article with them!

 

SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes: A Step-by-Step Guide

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You’re on the job site, and your crane operator just blew a gearbox. You have a deadline you have to meet, but you can’t fly three truckloads of material 100 feet up. You need a part, fast. What do you do?

Fortunately, your mechanic tells you it’s a SEW Eurodrive Gearbox, and there’s hope. Here’s why.

What Makes SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes So Appealing?

SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes use a modular system. This modular system allows them to combine as few components to produce the widest range of capabilities. Because the gearboxes’ applications are so extensive, this modular system lets you select the part you need based on your application.

Categories of SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes

There are five overarching categories for these gearboxes. Standard gearboxes feature a wide range of design, ideal graduation of sizes, and heavy-duty construction to achieve up to 50,000 Nm torque.

Servo gearboxes deliver precision, power, and speed. You can combine these gearboxes with a variety of motors. The result is always an exact drive response for your application.

Variable speed gearboxes are designed to accept varying drive speeds seamlessly. These are perfect solutions for adapting speeds to different processing sequences.

Chemical applications and clean environments make use of the stainless-steel gearbox by SEW Eurodrive. Built from acid-resistant material and designed without a fan make cleaning easy, and the fan-less design prevents dirt and debris from clogging up the gears.

Many of the above gearboxes can be constructed to be explosion-proof and comply with all local, state, and federal regulations. You get all the power for safe operation in explosive environments.

What Information Do I Need to Order a New Gearbox?

If you are building a unique machine in the development process, you can contact us for help in identifying what gearbox is right for your application. We’ll review with you your needs and help you select the proper unit.

If you’re reordering a specific gearbox, you’ll need the serial number on the nameplate. This is usually everything you need to reorder because that serial number will have all the other details stamped onto the nameplate.

Details like the voltage, frequency, designation type, power factor, maximum torque, number of phases, and unit speed are stamped on the nameplate to help engineers in the field understand what they are working with so that any changes elsewhere in the system can be calibrated.

Other details like oil type, fill volume, service factor, mounting position, and thermal class help field mechanics maintain the gearbox. Choosing the wrong specifications will fail, and failure can result in serious injury to people and property. Make sure a qualified mechanic does your repairs and replacements.

Ordering Your New Gearbox

Contact us today for all your SEW Eurodrive gearbox needs. At Kor-Pak, we specialize in delivering the highest quality parts with excellent customer service. Our associates will answer any questions you have and get the right parts out to you ASAP. We also provide installation and repair services.

Scan-Pac Truck Blocks: Your Complete Guide

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The global friction product market is expected to reach $24.7 billion by 2023. They’re used in all forms of transportation, from bicycles to 18-wheelers, making them essential types of manufacturing equipment.

Truck blocks are one of the most important types of friction materials. They regulate a truck’s speed and keep it running as best as they can.

The high demand for friction products lead to a surge in truck block manufacturers, but they differ in the types and quality of products they provide. Choosing the best one is one of the best things you can do for your business.

Read our guide to learn how truck blocks work and how to choose a manufacturer to get them from.

How Does a Truck Block Work?

A truck block is a type of friction material. These are used in systems that require direct pressure between parts to control speed. This makes them essential for a variety of industries, especially transportation and manufacturing.

Like all friction equipment, a truck block works using the scientific principles of friction. It refers to the resistance of motion between two moving objects. Static friction occurs between two objects that aren’t moving relative to each other, and kinetic friction occurs between objects moving in relation to one another.

Truck block equipment creates friction that can slow down a vehicle at the right time. That’s what makes it so essential as a part of your manufacturing equipment lineup.

How Do I Choose a Truck Block Manufacturer?

Several companies offer truck blocks and other types of friction materials as they increase in demand and profitability, but choosing the right one is an essential decision.

Scan-Pac offers asbestos-free friction materials for your forklift, crane, mill, truck, and other essential equipment. They’ve been ISO 9001-certified for more than 16 years, so you know you can trust them.

Scan-Pac provides several other benefits that place it above its competitors. It’s been in business for 44 years, so it has the experience you need. Its entire diverse product line is produced efficiently in America. It serves a wide range of industries and has distributors all over the world. Its website even includes a material recommendations tool.

While it’s clear that Scan-Pac is a great option, they have over 40 suppliers to choose from. When deciding between them, there are several factors to keep in mind. Consider the range of products they provide, their relationship with Scan-Pac, and the customer service they provide. Be sure that they can help you meet your business goals.

Where Can I Get Scan-Pac Products?

Truck blocks are an important part of the rapidly growing friction product industry. They keep trucks on the road running at the proper speed to using the principles of friction.

If you need a truck block, consider getting one from Scan-Pac. They’re an established provider you can trust with American-made products they can ship to you no matter where you are.

You’ll also need to go through one of Scan-Pac’s many distributors to get the products you’ll need. We have a range of friction products to satisfy any needs. Learn more about our relationship with Scan-Pac and contact us today for more information.

Everything You Should Know About Your Marland Clutch Kit

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Before you start working with any clutch-type, you should understand how it works and what maintenance it will require.

This best practice goes for every piece of industrial equipment, and clutches are no different. By learning everything you can about a clutch coupling ahead of time, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of the product.

That said, how can you start your journey to learning all the details on Marland CEF clutch coupling and other types of Marland clutches? You won’t have to look any further.

Here, you can study up on everything you need to know about your Marland clutch kit.

What Types of Products Does Marland Offer?

Marland Clutch manufactures a variety of backstopping and overrunning clutches. The catalog comes down to two different types: roller products and sprag products.

Roller products consist of cylindrical rollers on inclined cam planes. You’ll need these for low-speed applications, like at the head of a conveyor’s shaft drive. You can use the clutch couplings within this category with a double engagement gear coupling.

Other clutches within this kit include CEBMAG clutches, backstops, CECON clutches, and HB clutches.

Sprag products prove more effective for high-speed applications. Within the sprag category, you can choose between the CSK Series and the RSCI Series, as well as RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches. The CSK Series removes a ball bearing requirement, allowing for more accuracy while using less space.

The RSCI Series works best for overrunning. The RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches can be mounted on shafts and include seals and ball bearings.

What Are the Advantages of Marland CEF Clutch Coupling?

With so many different makes and models available, from a Marland Clutch burr to a Marland CEF clutch coupling 62003, where can you start comparing? To begin, let’s take a look at roller clutch couplings.

The automatic-freewheel clutches have a long lifecycle due to the roller design. This means you won’t have to worry about any parts coming loose. You may need to stop the clutch coupling on occasion to check the oil.

It’s low on the maintenance side of things, as long as you check the oil lube on a consistent schedule. It works best for non-stop operations that need automatic and instantaneous action.

Sprag products provide the flexibility to be used or combined with other products to improve efficiency. They help lower maintenance costs and increase wear resistance overall. Again, if you have a high-speed application, you should take a look at sprag models.

Regardless of make and model, Marland Clutch products aim to protect your equipment and prevent injuries. The advantages don’t end there, though, as you can also leverage them to avoid downtime.

Get Your Maintenance and Supplies From an Authorized Dealer

This short guide to understanding the Marland clutch catalog will help you make informed decisions. Now, you can feel more confident about your buying decisions. You can also apply these industrial brakes to get the most out of them.

At Kor-Pak, an authorized dealer, you can find a range of Marland products to suit your every need. Our experienced team can also provide inspections and repair services, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a trusted partner.

 

Stromag Strong: 5 Things To Know About Stromag Brake Pad Products

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Machine parts can eventually break down, leaving their replacement of the utmost importance and a huge priority for productivity to continue. What if that single part was helping power an entire factory or a key cog in a machine that’s critical to a whole town’s ecosystem?

Brake pads, crucial to nearly any applicable machine, are often essential for safety and efficiency. 

Here are five things you should know about the Stromag strong brand and its excellent brake pad products.

1. Stromag Offers a Top-Notch Range of Brake Pad Selections

With a wide variance of products, Stromag is sure to have the correct brake pad for you. Whether it is industrial brakes like service or hydraulic power packs, or simply buffers or discs, Stromag is sure to have the selection needed for brake pad replacement.

Check out the incredible range of products they have to offer.

2. Unmatched Quality Across All Products

As opposed to competitors, Stromag products are guaranteed to last longer and perform to a higher standard. Stromag often offers little-to-no maintenance required after assembly for certain products.

Also, brake pads are promised to include industry-leading braking torque technologies.

A recent review of key players in the clutches and brakes market saw Stromag and Altra rated superior to competitive brands.

3. A Reliable Company History You Can Trust

Originating in the early 1930s as an electric rail supplier, Stromag has always been at the forefront of critical aspects of business machinery. With the rapid growth in employees during the 1960s and 1970s, Stromag aggressively expanded abroad and within the U.S.

Continuing as a hallmark brand into the twenty-first century, Stromag consistently remained as a leader in brake pad innovation while also being eco-friendly.

4. Stromag is Forward-Thinking Towards Brake Pad Products

There is no doubt that Stromag has consistently pushed towards the future for brake pad products. Consistently ahead of the game in product advancement or energy conservation, the Stromag brand is globally-recognized as a world leader in brake pad selections.

Here’s a recap of very recent Stromag breakthroughs in the ship and vessel industry.

5. Whatever the Market, Stromag has the Answer

The Stromag strong brand has always been crucial to a huge variety of brake pad applications. Some of the markets that fall under Stromag’s expertise include farm and agriculture, oil and gas, or clutches and brakes for the metal industry.

They’ve even been a leader with the wind turbine generators, offering top-notch disc brakes and limit switches.

Make the Right Choice for Your Business

Simply put, the quality and selection of Stromag are unmatched globally. A leading authority in brake pad solutions, Stromag is guaranteed to satisfy and feature products that last longer and avoid further complications in the future.

What are you waiting for? For all your brake pad needs, contact Stromag today!