About Wepuko PAHNKE USA

1974

Hans-Joachim Pahnke establishes Pressure Systems Inc. (PSI) in Springfield, Ohio, with Guido (Guy) Maddalena as the first president of the company.

1977

PSI rebuilds the hydraulic drive system, upgrades the controls and supplies a second manipulator for the SACK 2,000 ton press installed at Wyman Gordon in 1969.

1980

PSI supplies the hydraulic drive system for the PAHNKE/MESTA 33,000 ton closed-die forging press (pictured above) for Weber Metals in Los Angeles. In order to forge components as close as possible to the final dimensions, a hydraulic balancing system developed by Michael Pahnke is used: The operation is performed by eight cylinders with 1,900 tons of force each. All 8 of these cylinders are coupled hydraulically to achieve the precise balancing required.

1989

Following the success of the 33,000 ton press, Weber Metals places more orders with PSI/PAHNKE: first for a 12,000 ton closed-die forging press, and in the subsequent years until 2007 for new electronic controls for all seven existing forging presses.

1990

PAHNKE Engineering Co (PEC) was founded in Springfield, Ohio to expand the North American market for PAHNKE presses. The first management team consisted of Michael Pahnke, Walter Westermeyer, Bill Skelley and Christa Stränger.

1994

PEC acquired the files & drawings of Pressure Systems Industries (PSI), when it’s business closed, to continue servicing the numerous presses and systems installed by PSI since 1974.

1997

Wepuko Hydraulics USA was formed to meet the increasing demand for high-pressure process pumps for manufacturers of presses, rolling mills and many other applications.

1998

PEC provides a new PMSD hydraulic drive for TIMET Toronto's new 4,000 Ton open die press.

2000

PEC is awarded contract from Mattco Forge to relocate and refurbish a 300 Ton Fast Forging Press (FFP). This is one of the fastest presses of it's type, operating at over 200 planishing strokes per minute.

2002

PEC is awarded a contract from Frankwen Forge in South Africa, to refurbish a 1,000 Ton open die press by providing a new hydraulic drive combined with a new electronic control system.

2003

Wepuko Hydraulics USA merged with PAHNKE to become Wepuko PAHNKE Engineering LP. This merger enabled WPE to offer customers turn-key press systems, including the design of presses, drives, controls, manipulators, commissioning & long term service.

2005

WPE is awarded a contract from Standard Steel to design and manufacture a new hydraulic accumulator drive for a 10,000 ton closed die press.

2007

Worldwide demand for new open-die forging presses shows an increase. Three contracts are received this year to design & build: a 3,300 ton press for Weber Metals, a 6,000 ton press for Union Electric in Pittsburgh and a 5,400 ton press for Villares Metals in São Paulo.

2009

Lisa Fitzharris becomes President and co-owner of Wepuko Pahnke Engineering LP.  With more than 20 years of industry experience, Lisa provides the required leadership to propel WPE forward. Her emphasis on superior customer service, engineering excellence, and employee growth sets an even stronger foundation on which to build for the future.

WPE expands its capacity by commissioning systems for both Weber Metals and Villares Metals. The scope of work for Villares includes the engineering of a new hydraulic PMSD drive, electronic controls, press and foundation design.  Our scope of supply included the hydraulic equipment and the electronic controls. We also provide Weber Metals with engineering design and supply of a new 3,300 ton open die forging press system.  Our comprehensive scope of work includes the press, hydraulic drive, foundation and electronic controls.

2010

Collaboration continues with Union Electric as WPE provides a new 6,000 ton forging press system. This scope of work includes the engineering design and supply of the press, hydraulic drive, controls, manipulator, and die change system. Commissioning and training are also provided by WPE, successfully completing this turn-key project!

2011

Press Forge installs a new 1,300 ton open die forging press.  WPE designs & supplies the patented sinusoidal PMSD hydraulic drive system including the main pumps and manifolds. The design and supply of the electronic controls along with commissioning is also included in our scope of work.

2012

WPE provides Mattco Forge with the engineering design for a 1,680 ton open die press refurbishment. This scope of work includes the design for the press, foundation, hydraulic system and electronic controls. We also supply the main pumps, manifolds, and electronic controls.

Today

WPE remains a market leader throughout North America for the design and manufacture of specialized forging systems and presses. We also distribute a wide range of high pressure process pumps for a variety of applications and industries.WPE continues to build upon our experience with an emphasis on service and support for our customers in North America. The historical names of PAHNKE, Wepuko and PSI may have changed, but our commitment to providing outstanding products and services remain intact.