This year, Prater Industries proudly marks a monumental achievement—our 100th anniversary. Since Ralph Prater founded us in 1925, we have been committed to advancing industrial innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions that redefine material processing. A century of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and resilience has brought us to this milestone, and we are thrilled to celebrate this legacy with you, our partners, and our customers.
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leaders
Prater’s story began in 1925, when Ralph Prater founded the Prater Pulverizer Company to serve the feed industry. A key milestone in our history came in 1935 with the development of our first hammermill, a product that would go on to define our identity and set the standard for feed processing innovation. While other solutions, such as the Blue Streak® Twin Spiral Feed Mixer introduced in 1939, played a role in our history, the hammermill remains at the core of who we are.
Our ability to push boundaries continued as we expanded into new industries during the 1940s. While agriculture remained a core focus, our innovative equipment began to power additional sectors, earning Prater recognition as a trusted leader in engineering excellence.
Breaking Barriers with Innovation
Throughout the decades, Prater has maintained its reputation as an innovator. Key milestones that shaped our history include the following achievements:
- 1951: Introduction of Rotary Airlocks, which revolutionized product handling and expanded possibilities in bulk material processing.
- 1980s: Launch of Fine Grinders, Mega Mills, and Rota-Sieves, providing precise, efficient processing solutions that met evolving industry demands.
- 2004: Relocation to Bolingbrook, IL, and rebranding to Prater-Sterling, signaling a new era for the company while maintaining our core values of quality and performance.
We have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to solving challenges and exceeding customer expectations through these innovations.
Honoring a Legacy Built on Quality
Prater’s success is deeply rooted in our unwavering dedication to quality and our belief in the power of collaboration. Every solution we design reflects our mission to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver value for our customers. This approach has allowed us to serve a diverse range of markets, from agriculture and food processing to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Our centennial celebration reflects on our past achievements and testament to the trusted relationships we have built over the years. We owe our success to the incredible support of our employees, partners, and customers, who have stood with us on this journey.
A Vision for the Next Century
While we take pride in our history, we are equally excited about the future. At Prater, innovation remains at the core of everything we do. Emerging technologies and evolving industry needs fuel our vision for the next century. As we look ahead, we are committed to designing advanced material processing solutions that address new challenges and empower businesses worldwide.
Our focus will remain on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. By continuing to invest in research and development, we aim to shape the future of industrial engineering and build upon our reputation as a global leader in material processing technology.
Join Us in the Celebration
This milestone belongs to all who have been part of the Prater story—from employees and partners to customers whose trust and support have driven our success. We invite you to join us in commemorating this century of innovation and excellence.
Do you have a story to share about working with Prater or our equipment? We’d love to hear it! Together, we celebrate the innovation legacy that defines us, and look forward to everything the future holds.
Here’s to 100 years of commitment, ingenuity, and progress. Here’s to Prater Industries.