Representatives from the board of directors of the company’s German parent, the RUD-Erlau Group, joined the Australian team for the official opening this month. The new premises were dedicated to the company’s Australian founder Peter Nuttall (Snr).

Commenting on the company’s development over its 22-year history, managing director Peter Nuttall (Jnr), reflected on the somewhat humble beginnings – working from the downstairs garage of a family home with just two employees (Peter Snr and wife Gloria) – to the current 2700 square metre facility, with around 20 employees.

“We are still very much in a growth phase, with demand for our products and services stronger than ever,” he said.

“As a result of sustained growth in company turnover, particularly over the last four to five years, the decision was taken around the middle of 2005 to look for larger premises, as our home base at Acacia Ridge since 1991 had finally reached its limits in terms of warehouse capacity and the ability to efficiently accommodate our requirements for additional staff and workshop activities.”

The growth of the company in Australia is also reflected globally, with new production facilities and expansion of existing manufacturing capacity being completed in Europe over the last couple of years.

The RUD-Erlau worldwide network now covers every continent, with established offices located in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, South America and South Africa as well as new additions in both China and India.

In 2005, the privately owned founding company, RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz, celebrated its 130th year in business, with the fifth generation of the Rieger family now actively involved in the management and strategic development of the group’s international business activities.

RUD Chains supplies a range of products including tyre protection chains, hoist chains, Grade 80 lifting and lashing points, Grade 80 and VIP sling chains, mining chain and connectors, traction chains and snow chains.