Our Histroy

Ropes at Berkaert have a unique history spanning over 150+ years. Read on to lean more about the brands and bsuinesses that make us the worlds leader in rope & rope manufacturing.

We are now Bekaert

Bekaert fully aquired Bridon-Bekaert the ropes group in 2018 marking the next chapter of Bridon ropes.

In late 2023 the company identity brand "Bridon-Bekaert the Ropes Group" was disestablished to reflect the ownership structure and strategic advanteges in trading as Bekaert.

Bekaert is a global market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies, pursuing to be the preferred supplier for steel wire products and solutions by continuously delivering superior value to customers worldwide. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with approximately 30,000 employees worldwide, with its headquarters in Belgium and € 4 billion in annual revenue.

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Our past (Bridon-Bekaert)

Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group (BBRG) was formed on 29th June 2016 by the merger of Bridon Group with the steel ropes and advanced cords businesses of Bekaert.

Prior to the merger in 2016, Bridon and Bekaert were already business partners. Not only did they source steel wire, ropes and half-products from one another, they were also involved in an important joint venture many years ago.

History of our brands.

Bekaert has a combined 360+ year legacy in ropes globally. Along with our global brands such as Bridon & Bexco our expertise stretches in WRI (Wire Rope Industries) in North America, Prodinsa, CIMAF & Procables in LATAM and Our Austalian manufacturing plant producing RedBak ropes.

Bridon®

Bridon - the world leading specialist in the manufacture of rope solutions for the most demanding applications. Bridon Group operated eleven manufacturing units worldwide with market-focused technical and sales offices, supported by a global network of agents and distributors. Prior to the merger, Bridon employed more than 1,600 people worldwide.

Bridon's position in demanding worldwide markets originated from the ability to provide a comprehensive and competitive range of solutions in steel wire, rope and strand, and a strong reputation for the delivery of high quality wire and rope products, seamless service and on-site operational support.

WRI® Wire Rope Industries

Founded in 1886, Wire Rope Industries (WRI) has been providing customers around the world with high-quality wire ropes for over 125 years. With headquarters and production facility in Montreal, WRI is one of the most respected solution providers in the industry.

Today, WRI is a high-end supplier for specialized market segments where rope performance is critical and directly contributes to the bottom line. Our mission is to create value for our customers.

Prodinsa®

In the middle of the 20th century, Chile developed a large fishing and mining industry, which depended on the use of steel cables in its machinery. This dependency was satisfied by the importation of steel ropes due to the lack of factories in South America. It was during the second half of the sixties when the British company Bridon decided to expand its horizons and set up a factory outside Europe. Due to its mining and fishing offerings, Chile offered a great opportunity. That is how Productos Industriales S.A. or Prodinsa was born--as an import company of steel ropes.

After studying and establishing the opportunities offered by Chile and South America, Bridon decided to create a Prodinsa factory in 1967, when Productos Industriales S.A. was replaced by the company name Productos de Acero Sociedad Anónima: then was born the first manufacturing plant of steel ropes in Chile.

In 1993 Prodinsa was acquired by Inchalam, which belongs to the Belgian group Bekaert (world leader in the manufacture of wire) and the Chilean families Matetic and Conrads.

WRI® Australia

An association between Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. (BHP) and rope manufacturers in Great Britain led to the establishment in 1923 of a wire rope manufacturing facility in Newcastle. A new company was formed under the name, Australian Wire Rope Works.

A site was selected in Newcastle, and a state of the art factory was built, with advanced manufacturing equipment, producing ropes compliant with British standards. Rope manufacturing began in 1925 and in 1933 the company became a fully owned subsidiary of BHP.

After 1945, Australia entered a boom period. The economy developed strongly and in the 1950s the Wire Rope Works was involved in major nation building projects such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme. In 1958, BHP consolidated and Australian Wire Rope Works became part of Australian Wire Industries (AWI). The 1970s and 1980s mining boom required new, advanced machines and additional capacity, with the capability to produce rope up to 150mm diameter, in 60 tonne parcels.

CIMAF®

The first steel ropes factory in Brazil Cimaf started its activities in 1948, when we used to manufacture screws, starting the first steel ropes factory in Brazil. The goal was to supply the growing demand in civil construction, mechanical engineering, steel, mining, automotive, and transportation of cargo and passengers.

In 1953, the first steel rope for tractors and general use were produced. Then, we've developed the rope to elevators, also a pioneer in the country. But that was only the beginning. The company has always been committed to clearly identify its products. So, to facilitate the work of custumers, in 1965 we launched the Yellow Strip and slings with higher strength and flexibility. Still now, these are products recognized for its quality and durability.

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