Miner Enterprises Celebrates 125 Years in Business
GENEVA, IL — Throughout 2019, Miner Enterprises, Inc. is celebrating its 125th year in business. It’s an anniversary of the enduring leadership, innovative thinking and can-do culture that created one of the most venerable brands of railcar components in the world.
Miner was founded in 1894, when the prolific inventor and entrepreneur W.H. Miner sold his first product to the burgeoning American railroad industry. That component was a simple yet ingenious idea--a tandem spring rigging that cushioned and protected not only the railcar itself, but passengers and cargo as well. That invention, and an innovation-driven mindset, would spark the growth of a worldwide enterprise. Miner’s growing international manufacturing footprint, its deep R&D and engineering expertise, and its highly responsive global supply chain are unsurpassed in the rail supply industry.
But there’s something deeper at work, that keeps the 125-year-old company vital, relevant and competitive.
“It’s a personal thing,” answered Miner’s president and general manager, Ric Biehl, when asked how Miner is able to compete and win market share against billion-dollar-backed competitors. “We care more about long-term relationships than short-term financials,” Biehl explained. “We’re among the few privately owned major suppliers of components to railcar owners, lessees and shippers. That shows, in how we take personal care of each and every customer, while ensuring that it is easy to do business with Miner.”
Today, Miner Enterprises is a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of railcar components to railroads, freight car builders, private-car companies, leasing companies and contract freight car repair shops around the world. Its product offering includes draft gears, constant contact side bearings, brake beams, hatch covers, outlet gates, rapid discharge systems, TecsPak springs, and its newest product offering, running boards.
Behind all of it are the Miner people. Their dedication to building relationships—both outside and inside the company, is truly legendary. Throughout its 125-year history, Miner has consistently maintained a culture hallmarked by mutual respect, loyalty, and a dedication to innovation and excellence.
It is a forward-looking culture that fuels an agile, responsive manufacturing operation – not unlike the company’s earliest days. Then, as now, Miner Enterprises is propelled by vision, tenacity, and an inventive spirit that would make Miner’s emblematic founder, W. H. Miner, very proud, indeed.