Modern Equipment Company

What Modern Equipment Company does

Modern Equipment Company, Inc. is a privately held industrial manufacturer founded in 1919 (originally as The Modern Pouring Device Company by Max Goldberg) and headquartered at 25 Central Industrial Drive, Granite City, Illinois. The company designs, builds, and services foundry ladles and molten metal handling equipment used by steel plants, foundries, and non-ferrous metal processors across North America and select international markets.

The product portfolio centers on industrial foundry ladles ranging from 100 lbs to 55,000 lbs capacity, organized across multiple series: covered and open tapered ladles (Series 1000/1010/1080/1090), teapot-style straight-sided ladles (Series 1160), precision bottom-pour ladles (Series 1170) with rack-and-pinion enclosed slides, and the patented Series 1189 Mod-Tundish Ductile Iron Treatment Ladle (U.S. Patent No. 4,509,979). Supporting offerings include geared pouring devices (Model F/FA hand-wheel, Model HDC hydraulic with battery power), six sizes of worm-and-worm-wheel ladle gearings (Sizes A-F) with optional motor drives, and manual/hydraulic lifting devices. Core assembly is engineered for multi-decade operational life, with documented 30-50+ year lifespans and gearboxes from 1943 still in service.

Revenue is generated primarily through custom and standard ladle sales (B2B, quote-based, no public pricing), an OEM replacement parts business (most gearing parts and bearings in stock), and an aftermarket Ladle Repair and Gearing Rebuild Program that delivers up to 55% savings versus new equipment with a 90-day warranty. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales, with direct engagement through a contact-sales form and direct customer relationships across foundries in the US, Canada, and select international markets. Jarvis-Wagner Manufacturing (JWM) serves as the OEM for all Modern Equipment parts and equipment.

Name

Modern Equipment Company

Legal name

Modern Equipment Company, Inc.

Website

https://moderneq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Modern Equipment Company, founded 1919 in Granite City, IL, is a privately held industrial foundry ladle manufacturer serving steel plants, foundries, and non-ferrous metal processors with custom molten-metal handling equipment, OEM parts, and refurbishment services across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Foundry Equipment

NAICS

Machine Shops (332710)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Solids Handling & Processing Equipment (Conveying, Silo, Feeders) (IMAHAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF)

Keywords

• Foundry ladles
• Molten metal handling
• Industrial ladle manufacturing
• Bottom pour ladles
• Foundry equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Ladle Manufacturing: Manufacturing and sale of industrial foundry ladles ranging from 100lbs to 55,000lbs capacity for molten metal handling. Products include covered/open tapered ladles, geared ladles, bottom pour ladles, teapot ladles, and custom configurations.
2. Replacement Parts and OEM Components: Supply of gearing parts, bearings, and wear parts for ladle equipment. Most parts in stock for fast order turnaround. Covers all Modern Equipment ladle models and gearboxes.
3. Ladle Repair and Gearing Rebuild Program: Refurbishment services offering savings of up to 55% compared to new equipment. Includes gearbox rebuilds using OEM certified parts with 90-day warranty. Typical rebuilds cost around 60% of new equipment price.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Modern Equipment Company manufactures industrial foundry ladles for molten metal handling, ranging from 100 lbs to 55,000 lbs capacity, in configurations including covered, open, tapered, geared, bottom-pour, teapot, and patented Mod-Tundish designs. The company also produces geared and hydraulic pouring devices, heavy-duty gearboxes, and manual/hydraulic lifting mechanisms for foundry overhead-rail transport. It complements equipment sales with OEM replacement parts and a ladle refurbishment/rebuild program that delivers up to 55% savings versus new equipment.

Product overview

Modern Equipment Company is an industrial foundry ladle manufacturer with over 100 years of experience (since 1919). The product portfolio centers on foundry ladles for molten metal handling across ferrous and non-ferrous applications. Core offerings include multiple ladle series (Series 1000, 1010, 1080, 1090, 1160, 1170, and 1189 Mod-Tundish), each available in various configurations (covered, open, tapered, straight-sided, teapot, bottom-pour). Supporting products include pouring devices (Model F/FA hand-wheel and Model HDC hydraulic), heavy-duty gearboxes, and manual/hydraulic lifting devices. The company also provides OEM parts and rebuild kits, plus a comprehensive ladle repair and gearing rebuild program offering up to 55% savings versus new equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Series 1000 Covered, Tapered Ladles Covered tapered foundry ladle with No.1 Type lever shank and detachable ball; pull-back covers deflect heat away from operators for safe pouring of small castings. For industrial foundries.
• Series 1010 Tapered Open Ladles Open tapered foundry ladle with No.1 type lever shank, roller bearing trunnions, and detachable bail; pouring lips on both sides for light and medium weight castings. For industrial foundries.
• Series 1080 Geared, Covered, Tapered Ladles Geared, covered tapered ladle with square bail, worm and worm wheel gearings to minimize operator work, detachable pull-back covers, and all-welded construction. For industrial foundries handling heavier molten metal loads.
• Series 1090 Geared, Open Tapered Ladles Geared open tapered ladle with double pouring lips for alternate left or right pouring; worm and worm wheel gearing for precise metal release and cut-off control. For industrial foundries.
• Series 1160 Open, Straight-Sided Ladles Teapot-style ladles with quick detachable spouts for steel foundries; pour clean, hot metal through the lower spout opening while holding slag back, with removable spout sections for easy lining repairs. For steel foundries.
• Series 1170 Precision Bottom Pour Ladles Bottom pour ladles providing slag-free metal for light and heavy work, with rectangular slide mechanism and enclosed rack and pinion for positive flow control. For industrial foundries requiring clean metal delivery.
• Series 1189 Mod-Tundish Ladle Patented ductile iron treatment ladle minimizing heat loss, providing uniform treatment, and minimizing magnesium fuming with maximum recovery; manufactured under U.S. Patent No. 4,509,979. For iron foundries performing ductile iron inoculation.
• Model F and FA Pouring Devices Geared pouring devices with hand-wheel control for transporting molten metal loads beyond hand-shank pouring range; Model F handles up to 650 lbs and Model FA handles up to 1,500 lbs gross loads. For foundries handling mid-capacity molten metal transfers.
• Heavy-Duty Geared Ladles Six sizes of powerful ladle gearings (Sizes A–F) to power and control Modern ladles for tilting and pouring metal loads beyond free hand shank control, with motor drives available for all gearing sizes. For heavy industrial foundry operations.
• Model HDC Hydraulic Pouring Device Hydraulic pouring device that transports molten metal in a ladle from melter to molds on monorail or crane systems, with push-button control and self-contained battery power for up to 16 hours of operation. For foundries using overhead rail transport.
• Manual & Hydraulic Lifting Devices Manual and hydraulic lifting mechanisms for transporting foundry ladles on overhead rails. For foundries using monorail or overhead-rail ladle transport systems.
• OEM Parts & Rebuild Kits Replacement wear parts and rebuild kits for Modern Equipment ladles, including bearings, bushings, gears, and other components for trunnions and gearboxes; most parts in stock for fast order turnaround. For existing Modern Equipment ladle owners.
• Ladle Repair and Gearing Rebuild Program Refurbishment service for Modern Equipment ladles and gearboxes using OEM-certified parts, offering up to 55% savings versus new equipment and 90-day warranty on material and workmanship. For existing Modern Equipment ladle owners seeking lifecycle extension.
• Foundry-Proven Gearboxes Industrial transfer cases/gearboxes designed to withstand harsh foundry environments, supplied as OEM products (manufactured by JWM) for Modern Equipment ladle systems. For foundries requiring rugged ladle gearboxes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Savings of up to 55% with rebuild program compared to new equipment purchase
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• JWM (Jarvis-Wagner Manufacturing)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerJWM is the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for all Modern Equipment parts and equipment. JWM has not certified any onshore or offshore company claiming compatibility with Modern Equipment equipment or parts. Modern Equipment will not guarantee or approve the use or performance of any products or parts not purchased directly from the Modern Brand.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Allied Mineral Products: Manufactures refractory monolithic linings and precast shapes used inside ladles, furnaces, and molten-metal vessels. Supplier-ecosystem peer that supplies the linings required for Modern Equipment's ladles to function.
• HarbisonWalker International: Leading North American refractory products manufacturer and service provider serving steel, aluminum, and foundry customers. Provides the refractory linings and installation services complementary to Modern Equipment's ladle offerings.

Direct peers

• Didion International: Manufactures specialized foundry equipment including shakeouts, sand reclamation, and material-handling systems. Direct competitor supplying complementary equipment to the same North American foundry customers Modern Equipment serves.
• Whiting Corporation: Manufactures industrial overhead cranes, foundry ladles, and molten-metal handling equipment for steel mills and foundries. Directly comparable to Modern Equipment as a custom foundry-ladle and material-handling equipment supplier to the same North American industrial customer base.
• Morgan Engineering: Produces overhead cranes, ladles, and specialized material-handling equipment for metal-producing and foundry customers. Competes directly with Modern Equipment in foundry ladle design and molten metal pouring systems for steel plants and iron/non-ferrous foundries.
• StrikoWestofen (Striko UK): Specializes in aluminum melting and holding furnaces, dosing furnaces, and molten aluminum handling systems. Direct competitor to Modern Equipment in the non-ferrous and aluminum foundry equipment market where Modern holds its Stack Melt leadership position.

Broad incumbents

• SMS group: Major international metallurgical equipment supplier for steel and non-ferrous metals plants. Competes with Modern Equipment in ladle and material-handling equipment for steel plants at a much larger scale and broader product scope.
• Vesuvius (Foseco): Global supplier of refractories, foundry consumables, and metal-treatment equipment via its Foseco division. Sells into the same foundry customers as Modern Equipment with a much broader refractory and consumables portfolio, competing for budget allocation on molten-metal workflow spend.
• Inductotherm Group: World's largest manufacturer of induction melting and heating equipment for metal industries. Broad incumbent supplying metal-melting equipment to the same foundry and steel-mill customers Modern Equipment serves, though with a wider portfolio beyond ladles and pouring.
• Pyrotek: Provides molten metal handling equipment, pumps, launders, and consumables for aluminum and other non-ferrous metal producers. Overlaps with Modern Equipment in foundry and aluminum molten-metal handling but serves a broader workflow including degassing, filtration, and metal treatment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modern-equipment-company-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Modern Equipment Company