German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulates the RUD Group on its 150th anniversary. 

Founders and Core Business

RUD was founded by Carl Rieger and Friedrich Dietz in 1875. The family-owned company has it’s roots in round steel chains which over the years have been included in hoists, conveyor systems, slings and traction chains. The RUD product range is extensive, including high-quality lifting and lashing points, drives and conveyor components. It also offers custom systems for mechanical engineering, logistics and defence technology.

Global Demand and Philosophy

RUD's products are reputed and sought after worldwide, from the mining sector to agriculture. The company's core philosophy remains unchanged: a strong focus on research and development. The numerous patents and awards amply demonstrate the commitment to innovation. As a fifth-generation family business, RUD also prioritises consistency, cultivating long-term partnerships and supporting its employees.

Social Commitment and Global Reach

Beyond its business operations, RUD maintains a strong presence across the community and charities. The Otto Rieger Foundation and the Trude Eipperle Rieger Foundation, both founded 50 years ago, support cultural and social projects in the East Württemberg region. The company also has a long-standing partnership with the Bundesliga football club 1. FC Heidenheim.

Today, RUD operates in more than 120 countries, employs around 1,700 people and generates annual sales of over 250 million euros. Its production sites are in Germany, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Romania and the USA. The Erlau brand, part of the RUD Group, specialises in tyre protection chains as well as interior and exterior furnishings.

"Friedensinsel": A Place of Partnership

The company's headquarters in Unterkochen has been known as "Friedensinsel" (Island of Peace) since 1898. The future for RUD is characterised by an optimistic vision: to be digital, sustainable and international. As Dr. Joerg S. Rieger, a member of the management board, says, "150 years of RUD -that's 150 years full of passion, innovative spirit and solidarity. We would like to thank everyone who has accompanied us on this journey and look forward to everything that lies ahead."

Milestones in Company History

• 1875: Carl Rieger and Friedrich Dietz established the chain forge and factory
• 1906: RUD introduces electric chain welding, revolutionising the industry
• 1935: The company launches its first track anti-skid chain
• 1969: Hansjörg Rieger - fourth generation, assumes entrepreneurial responsibility
• 1975: The non-profit foundations "Trude Eipperle Rieger Foundation" and "Otto Rieger Foundation" are established
• 1978: RUD opens its first international production facility in Brazil
• 1988: Erlau AG in Aalen is acquired, becoming part of the RUD family group
• 2003: The fifth generation of the family takes over: Dr. Joerg S. Rieger, Johannes W. Rieger and Dr. Benjamin T. Rieger.
• 2018: Erlau AG merges with RUD with two plants in Unterkochen and Aalen

Original Article in German by Bernhard Hampp of Schwabische Post.

The RUD Group is pleased to announce the official launch of RUD Lifting Switzerland - a brand-new local competence centre and logistics hub in Bischofszell, Thurgau.

This new venture makes RUD more accessible to our customers in Switzerland. Henceforth, all RUD lifting, lashing, and chain components will be available quickly through smart logistics and expert support through the team led by Managing Director Uwe Lieber. Together with sales and distribution partners, RUD is ready to elevate service and reliability to the next level.

At RUD, we believe in more than just products - we believe in solutions that make lifting and lashing safe, efficient and future-proof. With the new office, we are combining global strength with local know-how. Click here for a list of our worldwide locations.

Australian Made Week is celebrated from 19 to 25 May. Support Aussie businesses by buying Australian-made products.

Endurequip Portalift has been proudly manufactured in Brisbane. It is the only Australian-made mobile heavy vehicle hoist made using Australian steel and parts. We are proud to support local jobs and the wider community in Australia. Buy Australian-made products this week to give back to Aussie businesses.

Why buy Australian-made? Read our blog published a few years ago on our Endurequip website - Why buy Aussie and Local.

Watch our video below:

Article copyright to RUD. Australian Made logo and trademarks are the property of the Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMCL) and used under licence and permission. Check their website here.

A very successful BAUMA 2025 for the RUD Group.

Over 6 packed days from 8-13 April, with networking, information sessions, presentations and partnerships.

RUD Group exhibited at 2 locations:

• RUD Ketten in the Open Area North on Booth FN.1019/5 with a range of innovative solutions in lifting, lashing and load-securing categories
• RUD/Erlau in the A5 Area on Booth A5.202 with tyre protection chain solutions

Partnership Alliance

RUD has formed a partnership with Goldhofer, PowerBully and Max Wild to establish the South German Alliance, which will support the construction industry with safe and strong solutions. RUD demonstrated load-securing solutions using a Kässbohrer Powerbully lashed to a low-loader on lashing chains. 

Check out the videos from the show:

Article copyright to RUD: This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.

RUD+Spanset Austria has moved into a new factory building, which recently went into operation.

RUD+Spanset is located in Friedburg and has been servicing customers in Austria for over 15 years. In 2013, the branch expanded into a new building to enable a larger storage space and service customers quickly and efficiently with a large portfolio of products.

RUD+Spanset are investing in the crucial Austrian market for an optimised logistics and assembly process.  The factory was built with state-of-the-art construction, including photovoltaics and a heat pump system, which enables RUD+Spanset to set a benchmark in CO2-neutral, sustainable management. 

Congratulations to the RUD+Spanset Team! 

RUD will be exhibiting at BAUMA 2025.

Bauma is the world's leading trade show for Construction, Building Materials, Mining Machinery, and Equipment. The 34th event will be held from 7 to 13 April at the Neue Messe München Exhibition Centre in Munich, Germany.

RUD Group will be exhibiting at 2 locations:

• RUD Ketten in the Open Area North on Booth FN.1019/5 with a range of innovative solutions in lifting, lashing and load-securing categories
• RUD/Erlau in the A5 Area on Booth A5.202 with tyre protection chain solutions

Safer solutions in construction

The construction industry still uses self-made and improvised anchor points, which can deform after first use and pose significant safety risks. RUD’s DGUV-certified lifting points present a safe and standard-compliant alternative with nominal load capacities and an optimised design. RUD will demonstrate the difference between safe lifting points and other products.

ACP-TURNADO: Intelligent technology for safe lifting

RUD will exhibit its popular ACP-TURNADO anchor point. The ACP-TURNADO has an integrated spring mechanism that automatically aligns itself in the direction of pull and prevents the bar from getting caught in an unfavourable position under transverse load.

Truss solutions for large construction machinery

RUD will also exhibit modular lifting beam solutions for lifting and positioning large machine components in partnership with Spain-based OX Lifting, which is suitable for asymmetric loads.

Digital Tools

In keeping up with digital transformation across many industries, RUD will demonstrate its chain sling calculator, the Configurator, which is a very useful tool for calculating ideal chain slings and lifting points. RUD will also demonstrate the BUDDYtron, which can be used to retrieve technical data and operating instructions via NFC scanning.

Demonstration: Load securing

In partnership with Goldhofer, RUD will demonstrate load securing using a Kässbohrer Powerbully lashed to a low-loader on lashing chains. This demonstration will be done with a prototype developed in collaboration with the Southern German Bauma Alliance, which is already under consideration by construction and logistics companies.

Article copyright to RUD: This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.

RUD Australia celebrates RUD Germany headquarters' outstanding achievement in winning multiple prestigious awards in 2025, marking its 150th anniversary year.

Continuing from the "Excellence Award" received in February, RUD won the following awards:

2 awards from Deutschland Test.

• Employer of the Year: This is in recognition of RUD's commitment to its employees and exceptional workplace culture
• Company of the Year: This is in acknowledgement of superior overall performance across multiple categories

2 awards from WELT.

• Entrepreneurial Responsibility: This is to recognise exemplary corporate ethics and dedication to social responsibility in metal and steel processing
• Exemplary Customer Satisfaction: In recognition of the high quality and reliability of customer service processes

1 award from the F.A.Z. Institute.

• Most Coveted Products & Services: This award is to highlight pioneering excellence in product quality and innovation

Jörg S. Rieger, Ph.D., member of the RUD family management team, expressed his delight at receiving so many awards. "This impressive list of honours confirms RUD’s leading position in the metal industry and its sustainable success strategy for employees, customers, and innovation - in our 150th anniversary year."

This achievement reaffirms the RUD Group's industry leadership and comprehensive commitment to excellence across diverse operational areas.

Article copyright to RUD: This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.

If you want to know how the team at RUD can help, please call 07 3809 1300 or fill out a form here.

"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."

The reliability and safety of our products are central to our business. Our quality commitment is reflected in our integrated QM / UM-System, which ensures all RUD employees comply with the high quality and environmental standards set by us.

Quality and environmental protection.

1953 marked a turning point in the history of the hoist industry when RUD became the first company to receive the H stamp for high-strength chains. The H stamp, which symbolises quality and safety, has revolutionised the world of lifting and lashing. RUD is the first manufacturer of new quality grades and carries the H1-stamp for Grade 60, Grade 80 and Grade 100. Seven decades later, RUD is still at the forefront of innovation.

Watch the new video, which looks at the stamp's origins and its role in quality and safety.