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In 1991, Pitt-Des Moines, Inc. purchased the controlling interest of Hartwig Manufacturing Corporation, a major mid-western bridge fabricator in Wausau, Wisconsin.
In September of 1994, Pitt-Des Moines, Inc. acquired a 130 year old company, Phoenix Steel Inc., another major bridge fabricator located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. These two facilities were formed into the basis of the operating division now known as "PDM Bridge".
To further expand and heighten the bridge building expertise of PDM Bridge, Sheffield Steel, a Palatka, Florida, based company, was purchased by Pitt-Des Moines, Inc. on September 1, 1997. Sheffield Steel is now known as "PDM Bridge Corporation". This acquisition offers PDM Bridge the opportunity to utilize the inter-coastal waterways to furnish finished product to its customers by barge directly from its Florida location.
PDM Bridge has grown to now employ approximately 500 employees (255 at the Eau Claire facility, 105 at the Wausau facility and 140 at the Palatka facility).
PDM has a rich history including the fabrication of one of the architectural wonders of the world, The St. Louis Arch. Completed in 1965, both legs of the Arch acted as free-standing cantilevers before completion and were erected simultaneously without scaffolding. Two creeper derricks, each weighing 100 tons, were used to raise the 12-ft. high, 50-ton sections.
Today PDM Bridge is a steel fabricator capable of producing steel components for the most complex bridge structures. The PDM Bridge fabricating facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art computer numerically controlled equipment. These modern facilities are capable of applying full shop paint systems which the bridge industry has come to expect. PDM Bridge facilities are certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction to have the personnel, organization, experience, capability and commitment to produce fabricated structural steel for Conventional Steel Building Structures, Simple Steel Bridges, Complex Steel Building Structures and Major Steel Bridges with Fracture Critical and Paint Endorsements as set forth in the AISC Certification Program. The market area of PDM Bridge expands nationwide for major bridge projects.
The PDM Bridge personnel have many years of experience in the fabrication of complex bridge structures. This experience includes the fabrication of bascule bridges, vertical lift bridges, tied arch bridges and truss bridges. Along with modern numerically computer controlled equipment, this experience makes PDM Bridge a true leader in the complex bridge fabrication industry. Watch our employee video. Windows Media Player required to view video.
PDM Bridge has the expertise and lifting capacity to fabricate plate girders for all types of bridge structures. These structures range from major river crossings and railroad bridges to simple plate girder projects.
PDM Bridge has state-of-the-art enclosed painting facilities capable of applying sophisticated multi-coat shop applied paint systems. These painting facilities are capable of controlling environmental conditions and are staffed with trained personnel who have the experience to maintain the stringent quality control necessary to assure proper paint application.
PDM Bridge has established relationships with a number of key contractors and engineers in the industry providing critical expertise that positions it as a value-added partner improving opportunities for success. These same capabilities will be tapped to service the growing market for privately funded bridges.
PDM Bridge is focusing on the future with a goal of becoming the premier steel bridge fabricator in North America. PDM Bridge will achieve this goal by providing bridge steel that meets or exceeds customer needs, in a timely and cost-effective manner. This is a goal that PDM Bridge sees as highly attainable using the expertise, experience and knowledge that our employees contribute in a cooperative team effort.
