For 75 years, family-owned foundry and machine shop, Bremen Castings Inc. (BCI), has made significant strides in the iron industry. The Indiana-based business is a manufacturer of gray and ductile iron castings ready for assembly lines worldwide, including complete components for heavy truck, heavy machinery, mining, oil and gas, defense, lawn and garden and agricultural industries. Though many foundries have shifted from small, family-run companies to large corporations BCI has remained true to its values and is proud to celebrate its 75th anniversary this March.
Throughout the years BCI has achieved several upgrades, expansions and additions, with plans to continue growing in the future. “The 75th anniversary is a significant milestone for BCI and we are proud to remain a company dedicated to its original mission of safety and quality,” says James (JB) Brown, President of Bremen Castings, Inc. “What started as an 800 square foot building has expanded to our current 125,000 square foot facility where we utilize the industry’s best software and equipment.”
Below is a brief history of Bremen Castings, Inc.:
- 1939 – Bremen Gray Iron Foundry is founded on March 17 by founders Ellis Brown, Charles W. Kling and Harold Heckamen with an initial investment of $10,000. Early customers included Bendix Corporation, Clark Equipment and Ford Motor Company
- 1972 – The company name is changed to Bremen Castings, Inc.
- 1996 – Production of ductile iron begins in January
- 1996 – Machine Shop CNC Operation begins
- 2000 – ISO 9002 registered (Underwriter’s Laboratory) (April)
- 2003 – ISO 9002:2000 upgrade (Underwriter’s Laboratory) (May)
- 2004 – State of Indiana Half-Century award recipient
- 2009 – In-house pattern shop operations begin
- 2010 – Expansion of machine shop into plant II
- 2012 – Opening of the on-site health and wellness center (November)
- 2012-2013 – (8) Automated Grinding Cells
- 2014 – ISO/TS 16949 Registered