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Old-world Craftsmanship Meets Modern Technology: How Innovation is Changing Industrial Chain (and why it matters) Chain production has come a long way since blacksmiths originally forged their historical link to expansion and discovery. And while some aspects of a chain are timeless, the process has grown with every technological advancement in manufacturing. Sure, chains are…

Steel is everywhere. Cities are built with it; industries rely on it and the future is forged in it. Steel is in nearly every aspect of modern living because of its strength, toughness, durability, and resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures. Whether it’s used as the skeleton of a skyscraper, as tire chains to keep…

On with the Show. Before the pandemic, there were two things you could always count on, year after year: taxes and tradeshows. One of the two was actually something to look forward to. But as the world began to shut down, trade shows were among the first of the dominoes to fall as safety took…

Staying Safe During the Snow Plow Shortage  In any given year, winter weather is challenging enough. Regardless of what it looks like outside, we have places to go, and things to accomplish. With the growing snow plow shortages across the country, getting where you need to go is becoming an even bigger challenge—and risk. With…

3D printing has traveled an interesting path. Developed in the 80’s as a tool for rapid prototyping, it gained a new popularity within the last decade from home use to prosthetics—and everything in-between. While the evolution of 3D printing has seen a rapid growth in the number of companies adopting the technology, nearly four decades…

Winter is just around the corner and with it comes adverse weather conditions including driving challenges on snowy and icy roads.  To safely get to where you need to go, you need your tires to grip the road and that’s why it’s good to have traction chains as part of your vehicle safety kit for…

Chain Slings repeatedly lift very large, heavy loads on a regular basis. Their flexible design provides strength and durability so they can withstand the daily ins and outs of construction sites and manufacturing floors.  No material is indestructible. Equipment failure could mean expensive losses and potential injury or worse. Maintaining your sling is critical. Maintenance…

Lean manufacturing is a production method popularized in the first half of the twentieth century by production teams at Toyota. A lean manufacturing approach has been widely adopted by many leading companies in the industrial sector, but many find it difficult to sustain over time. “Lean” is typically aimed at eliminating waste from production, which…

  Hot dip galvanizing (HDG) offers a virtually unmatched protective zinc coating for steel products. It provides a tough and somewhat durable finish that resists damage from wear and abrasion as well as corrosion, and is typically less expensive compared to other corrosion protective coatings. But hot dip galvanizing has its limitations. It’s a thick…

  After prolonged closures in 2020, outdoor recreational facilities such as parks, playgrounds, and theme parks are getting ready to host the public again in spring and summer 2021. If you’re responsible for maintenance at one of these facilities (or you’re a supplier to a team who is), preparation for your busy season is likely…

Beyond Speed: Technology in Chain Manufacturing Manufacturers everywhere understand the benefits of technology like automation in improving speed, accuracy, and efficiency. The OEM and tiered suppliers we serve are always improving operations with robotics and equipment enhancements. And while any technology that increases efficiency will benefit our business, Laclede Chain has also been leveraging innovations…

No matter what type of vehicle you operate, winterizing your vehicle is a best practice. As colder weather approaches, checking fluid levels, tire treads, and the condition of wiper blades are often on drivers’ lists of things to do. It’s also never too early in the season to evaluate your traction equipment—and ensure you’ve got…

Contractors and weekend warriors alike have been keeping busy on home improvement projects these days, with home now functioning as the center of our worlds more today than ever. If you’re using rented lifting equipment to complete your next job, it’s important to educate yourself on how to perform your lifts safely. So, before you…

By Eric Kazmierzak and Melissa Searle, Laclede Chain Manufacturing When designing a trailer, what’s the best way to attach the safety chain to the tongue? There are two main attachment styles commonly used in the trailer industry to attach safety chain to the trailer: bolt-on and weld-on clevis assemblies. Laclede Chain collaborates often with trailer…

Ever since steel has become widely used, people have been inventing ways to prevent corrosion and abrasion in order to make it last longer. In fact, corrosion costs the U.S. economy an estimated $300 billion per year (about 3% of GDP).  Hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) has been in use as a method of corrosion protection for…

Since Leonardo da Vinci famously made sketches of what appeared to be the first steel chains in the 16th century, people have been innovating new ways to make industrial chain safer, stronger, and more wear and weather resistant. At Laclede Chain, we’re constantly refining our processes to achieve this same thing.  Why does high quality…

  Why Choose an ISO-Certified Contract Manufacturer? We work with many types of customers at Laclede Chain who incorporate chain into their businesses in different ways. We serve OEMs that incorporate our chain into agriculture equipment, commercial fisheries that use marine chain to lift nets from the ocean, construction companies performing overhead lifting operations, and…

Advantages of Powder Coated Chain Our team has invested nearly a decade of research and testing (and over a million dollars) building our powder coating line. Powder coating is an ideal method for finishing your chain as it can withstand the elements and wear and tear. It can be applied in almost any color you…