WELDING INNOVATION: THE 1960s AND THE BIRTH OF NICRO STEEL BELTS
In 1960, Berndorf began producing stainless Steel Belts for the film, membrane and cast sheet industry. These Belts featured a highly polished surface and were branded under the name NICRO – a term originally coined and trademarked by Alfred Krupp for the same chrome-nickel 18/8 steel used in Berndorf cutlery.
By 1965, the company had developed a unique longitudinal welding technology, enabling the production of Steel Belts up to 3 meters (3.28 feet) wide. This development unlocked new opportunities in the chemical and food industries, where Berndorf Steel Belts were widely distributed by 1970.
EXPANSION BEGINS: ENTERING THE U.S. MARKET
In 1976, Berndorf Band Group entered the North American industrial market by founding the company International Conveyor Belts Ltd., in the United States. This move gave way to a lasting presence in the region.
By 1978, International Conveyor Belts Ltd. had become the official sales representative for Berndorf Band GmbH in the U.S. and Canada. Collaborating with North American Process Systems Ltd., the company began manufacturing Steel Belt Systems such as Single Belt Coolers, as well as Steel Belts, locally. In 1987, both companies were acquired and rebranded as Berndorf International Conveyor Belts Ltd. and Berndorf Band Systems Ltd.
Today, these entities operate as Berndorf Belt Technology, Inc. and SBS Steel Belt Systems USA, Inc., in Gilberts, Illinois – sharing a Test Center. They specialize in the design, production, installation, and maintenance of Steel Belts and Belt Systems, particularly for Feeding Devices and Cooling and Solidification Systems in the Process Equipment sector.
BREAKING NEW GROUND: THE DOUBLE BELT PRESS AND GLOBAL SUBSIDIARIES
Also in 1976, Berndorf Band Group became the first to manufacture Steel Belts for Double Belt Presses – an innovation that revolutionized the wood processing industry.
Shortly after, in 1980, the company branched out again by opening a new subsidiary in Asia – Nippon Belting Co., Ltd. (now Berndorf Band Japan Co., Ltd.) – with offices in Tokyo and Osaka.
PRIVITIZATION AND ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE (1988-1990s)
A major turning point came in 1988, when Berndorf AG underwent a management buyout, transitioning into a privately owned company. This shift led to the creation of two specialized subsidiaries:
- Berndorf Band GmbH became the parent company of the Berndorf Band Group, focusing on the manufacturing, distribution, and servicing of Steel Belts worldwide.
- Berndorf Sondermaschinenbau GmbH, also founded in 1988, began producing custom machinery and components for global clients.
After the company’s privatization, Berndorf Band Group became the first Austrian company to establish a subsidiary in South Korea in 1990. Berndorf Steel Belt Systems Ltd., Co., based in Incheon, specializes in the engineering and manufacturing of steel belt systems, including Process Equipment and customized solutions for solid surface production. In addition, the subsidiary offers a range of services such as Steel Belt sales, equipment installation, and ongoing maintenance.
With the new subsidiaries that were established, Berndorf Band Group had further aspirations, one being the development of a Casting and Drying System called a Polymide (PI) Casting and Drying System. The first PI Casting and Drying System was manufactured and installed in 1992. Following in the years after, the first PMMA Casting and Drying System was created for the continuous production of acrylic sheets in 1999.
