Press Room Equipment Co. (PRE), acquired by The Bradbury Group in 2023, is building a new Springfield, Mo. facility designed to enhance its capabilities and support its growing operations.
PRE officials say the facility’s 2,973 m2 (32,000 sf) of space will allow it to take on more projects, streamline assembly processes, and ensure timely delivery to customers.
“The PRE team is so grateful to be a part of The Bradbury Group and the support they have given to our growing company,” says Gary Moore, PRE general manager. “We’re leaving a building we have called home since 1991 and moving into a facility that is not only 60 percent larger but is brand new and designed to fit our workflow in the most efficient manner. We can’t wait to see what the next 40 years hold for PRE.”
PRE was founded in the late 1970s in Rhode Island as a small company focusing on providing equipment for press feeding operations. Today, the company offers a comprehensive range of products, including press feed systems, powered and pull-thru straighteners, coil handling equipment, pallet decoilers, coil upenders, cut-to-length machines, and custom solutions.
In 1991, PRE relocated its operations to Springfield, partnering with another company based in Missouri with complementary equipment. According to a press release, Springfield’s central location and business-friendly environment allowed PRE to serve its growing customer base better, streamline operations, and strengthen its position within the industry.
Over the years, the company underwent various transitions, adapting to the evolving demands of the industry and expanding its product offerings. These changes included adjustments in ownership, leadership and strategic direction, each one contributing to the growth and evolution of the business.
In December 2023, The Bradbury Group, a designer/manufacturer of rollforming and coil processing equipment headquartered in Moundridge, Kan., acquired the assets of PRE. Following the acquisition, PRE continued to operate as an independent entity under The Bradbury Group, maintaining its management, staff and location.
“When we met the team at PRE, it was clear that our shared values made them a natural fit for our group,” says David Cox, CEO of The Bradbury Group. “Our investment in PRE and expansion in Springfield capitalizes on the region’s growing technical labor market in southwest Missouri. A skilled workforce is essential to our group of companies and by partnering with Ozarks Technical College, the city of Springfield and the team at PRE, we are strengthening our ability to achieve our 2028 strategic priorities.”