Front row, from left to right: Jon Backes, President, Americas Lifting Hardware; Sam Cicinelli,
IAMAW General VP – Midwest; Brian Bryant, IAMAW President; Jana Kirch, IAMAW Directing Business
Representative, Lodge 66; Yoshio Kito, President – Japan & Asia Pacific; Robert Desel, CEO.
Back row, from left to right: Vinny Addeo, IAMAW – Chief of Staff to the International President; Rick Mickschl, IAMAW Chief of Staff Midwest Territory; Jody Bennett, IAMAW Resident General Vice President; George Kosidowski, President, Peerless; Andrew Peltier, IAMAW Directing Business Representative District, Lodge 77. Kito Crosby announced significant investment in Peerless chain manufacturing equipment
Kito Crosby, a global leader in the lifting and securement industry, proudly announces the completion of a major investment at its flagship manufacturing site of Peerless branded products in Winona, Minnesota.
The multi-year, multi-million-dollar, project involved the design, installation, and startup of an advanced continuous plating system utilized in chain production. This state-of-the-art system adds a unique and proprietary coating to a chain that prevents rust and corrosion to our already world-class product. Designed to further enhance product quality and employee safety, the new plating system incorporates new features, such as automated monitoring and increased air handling systems.
George Kosidowski, President, Peerless, officially kicks off the ribbon-cutting ceremony with a group of Kito Crosby team members, local dignitaries, and International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) leadership.
“This line was designed with our customers and team members in mind,” said George Kosidowski, President of Peerless. “The investment will enhance our internal processes, which will improve our service levels to customers and scale our operations for increased demand.”
Peerless chain, manufactured in Winona, MN.
The Winona plant, like all Kito Crosby manufacturing facilities worldwide, is heavily vertically integrated, with a Peerless chain manufactured in the United States from raw material to finished product on site.
A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in July with Winona team members and Kito Crosby leaders, local dignitaries, and the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) leadership. Continuous plated chains are used across multiple industries, including food processing, cargo control, trailer safety, and hardware.
