A History Rooted in Innovative Lifting Solutions
The Caldwell Company has its roots in the fertile mind of Leslie M. Caldwell, an inventor and tinkerer. The company was incorporated in 1954 by Mr. Caldwell, who designed, fabricated, and sold special lifting slings – one of which being the patented Adjust-A-Leg® load-leveling wire rope sling.
Mr. Caldwell purchased a used Singer 7-33 sewing machine, some MIL-spec webbing, and thread from Eastern Jobbers and started making nylon web slings in the basement of the building at 1224 4th Avenue, Rockford. Caldwell branded slings were then put on the market.
Jack W. Remington purchased the company in 1962; he brought with him 25 years of design, shop, sales, and business management experience. Mr. Remington gradually expanded the product line and his staff as the company slowly grew larger. By 1971, more space was required, which precipitated moving to a new, larger facility in Rockford’s Eastrock Industrial Park.
Howard A. Will, Jr., a Yale University graduate with a major in civil engineering, a master’s in civil engineering from Stanford University, and a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois, purchased The Caldwell Company at the end of 1976. Taking advantage of his engineering background, Will shifted the emphasis of the company to fabricated metal and Below-the-Hook lifters. He built up the engineering department and started a program to upgrade production facilities. Early on, a goal was established to offer the fullest range of Below-the-Hook lifting products from one source.
Today, the company had, through numerous acquisitions and internal development, has grown into many distinct product lines.
- Strong-Bac® Below the Hook Crane & Hoist Attachments
- Rig-Master® Rigging Attachments
- Lif-Truc™ Forklift Truck Attachments
- Caldwell® Web Slings and Tie-Downs
- UNIVAC® Vacuum Lifters
- Mill Duty/Severe Duty Lifters
- Rig-Release® Remote Releasing Lifters
- Krane-King® Jib and Gantry Cranes
- Posi-Turner® Load Rotation Equipment
- Renfroe® Plate Clamp Lifters
The company is also the master distributor in the U.S. and Canada for the RUD Lifting Points and Lifting Means. RUD lifting points support wind turbine manufacturers through the entire product lifecycle. In production, RUD lifting points help the turbines move through the facility, from fabrication and assembly to loading. Once the turbines are on site, the integrated lifting points assist with installation, while others serve as tie-off points for fall protection during maintenance. And when the turbine is decommissioned, the same lifting points allow for safe dismantling, transportation, and disposal. 
In addition, Caldwell continues to lead the industry through the innovative development of its non-conductive and lightweight Dura-Lite® Lifting Beam line and modular Dura-Mod® Lifting 
and Spreader Beam line.
perfection. The founder of the company, Eduard Wille, laid down the guiding principle that has been consistently applied by our staff ever since: to develop and produce the best tools possible for and with the customer – nothing less.
