Company Honors A Half-Century Of Excellence By Celebrating ‘The Products That Built Us And The People Who Define Us.’
By Mark S. Kuhar
Conn-Weld is celebrating it 50th anniversary at this year’s AGG1 show, the first of many celebrations planned throughout the year. The focus of its booth, “The Products That Built Us and the People Who Define Us,” highlights the enduring legacy of Conn-Weld’s philosophy in seeing products of timeless innovation in new application.
From humble beginnings, Conn-Weld has expanded into a 500,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art facility, manufacturing equipment from raw materials to finished products, and shipping worldwide to diverse markets. Aggregates have played a vital role in shaping Conn-Weld’s journey.
The Humble Beginnings
Founded in 1975 in Princeton, W.Va. – the heart of coal country – Conn-Weld’s story began in a modest 2,000-sq.-ft. garage producing profile wire screens. James D. Connolly, the visionary founder, purchased land from a tenacious farmer who was initially reluctant to sell. Yet through the years, with Connolly’s persistence, the farmer eventually sold off his cow pasture acre by acre, paving the way for what would become the vast site Conn-Weld occupies today.
With no formal college education, Connolly was known for his business acumen pioneering a patented fusion welding process, Tuff-Screens, still prevalent in Conn-Weld’s manufacturing processes.
His philosophy was simple yet profound: providing a quality product, in a timely manner, backed by dependable service. This principle led him to establish his own wire mill in Dublin, Va., ensuring consistent quality and supply for customers. What began in a garage grew into a thriving enterprise, thanks to Connolly’s determination – and perhaps a few persuasive conversations with that once-stubborn farmer.
The Road Ahead
By 2010, Conn-Weld had grown strategically in the aggregate industry for two decades targeting specific customers and regions. When Sean Weisiger joined as the first district manager dedicated solely to aggregates, the company faced the challenge of expanding pursuit of the aggregates industry nationwide and proving itself beyond its coal industry roots.
Recalling what drew him to Conn-Weld, Weisiger said, “A tour of the manufacturing facility coupled with the passion of its employees convinced me that this was an organization and team I wanted to join. To this day a tour of the facilities to see firsthand the capabilities and the infectious enthusiasm of the tradespeople creating our equipment is a trip worth taking.”
Weisiger often remembers Connolly saying, “If I had listened to every ‘don’t,’ ‘never,’ and ‘can’t,’ Conn-Weld wouldn’t exist today.” Now vice president of aggregates, Weisiger reflected, “I knew the road wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew I had an incredible team behind me. The level of technical support and the dedication from our engineering and manufacturing teams were unlike anything I’d experienced before.”
Conn-Weld’s commitment to maintaining a robust inventory defied the typical lean practices seen elsewhere. With the Infrastructure Bill soon to be passed, this approach proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While supply chains worldwide faltered, Conn-Weld not only met its lead times but doubled its workforce, employing more than 300 people today.
Over the last 15 years Conn-Weld has successfully shared this combination of support and supply with the aggregates industry and is proud and honored to be viewed as not just a supplier, but a partner with many valued customers.
Quality Products, The Engineering Perspective
When asked how the aggregates industry has impacted engineering, Anthony Fink, vice president of engineering stated, “This allowed engineering to not only pursue design and manufacturing of new products used in the aggregate industry but also modify and improve our existing products as well.”
Fink started at Conn-Weld in 1997 right out of college with the initial intentions of only working at Conn-Weld for a few years to get a start and experience in the engineering field. After working there for just two years and getting to travel to see how these products are used in the industry, he knew Conn-Weld was a company where he could build a full and meaningful career.
Now, Fink credits his successful career to Conn-Weld’s success saying, “I know firsthand our dedication to a quality product through years of working not only in the engineering department but traveling around the world.”
Fink recalled commissioning a 50-screen order in China in 1998. “You truly appreciate the value of ‘Made in America’ when you see the difference abroad. I don’t think I would have gained that perspective anywhere else.” What he values most is Conn-Weld’s dedication to custom solutions. “It’s challenging, sure, but there’s nothing more satisfying than delivering the perfect solution to a customer’s unique need,” Fink said.
Diversification and Persistence Pays Off
Conn-Weld’s success today is rooted in its ability to diversify. With more than 60% of revenue stemming from the aggregates industry, President Marvin Woodie attributes this growth to adaptability, saying, “Diversification of markets and products. Conn-Weld has serviced the aggregates industry since the mid 1990s with experience in providing spare parts for machines that our customers couldn’t get from other manufacturers. Conn-Weld was willing to produce parts for machines that became obsolete in the market. Customers appreciated our openness to work with them and provide quality equipment in a timely fashion. Having introduced the quality of workmanship to the aggregates industry with spare parts and replacement parts, the new machine supply was a natural fit for our customers and our growth potential to supply more types of screening equipment to our customers in the aggregate industry.”
Conn-Weld’s willingness to support obsolete equipment, coupled with a dedication to timely service, earned the trust of customers and opened doors to new opportunities.
The Road Ahead
After the company’s founder, James D. Connolly, passed away in 2014, Conn-Weld transitioned into new ownership. Having interviewed several potential buyers, they were determined to find someone that would keep the Conn-Weld they knew intact.
In November 2020, they found that someone in a longtime customer, Cliff Forrest, who believed in its products. Woodie, who has been with the company for 38 years, said he is appreciative to Forrest for entrusting him to assume the role of president saying, “Cliff’s values of investing in our people and our capabilities not only aligns with Conn-Weld’s philosophy but is continuing to pave the road for continued success.”
Timeless Innovation in New Application
Conn-Weld is excited to showcase products with timeless innovation in new application at AGG1. Learn how a modular individual cross member deck frame can provide aggregate customers lower life cycle costs and ease of maintenance. Conn-Weld will highlight its new offerings in screen media systems in addition to the services that have supported their philosophy for 50 years in providing a quality product, in a timely manner, backed by dependable service.
In gratitude to the aggregates industry, Conn-Weld invites AGG1 attendees to Booth #4501, Wednesday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. for a reception celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Don’t miss the special 50th anniversary page on the Conn-Weld website, and follow the company’s story on social media throughout the year as it continues to celebrate “The Products That Built Us and The People Who Define Us.”