Founded in 1947
Founded in 1947, West Salem Machinery Co. has a rich history rooted in the vision of Carl Gerlinger, Sr., who emigrated to Oregon in the early 20th century. A skilled machinist with expertise in steam power, Carl initially worked extensively with railroads and logging operations. Following an industrial accident in his mid-20s that cost him an arm, Carl shifted his focus to entrepreneurship. He launched several metal trade businesses across Oregon, with West Salem Machinery emerging as a key venture.
In the early 1960s, West Salem began producing waste wood chippers for the Pacific Northwest's sawmill industry. The company thrived through the 1960s and 1970s, expanding its product line to include chippers, vibrating conveyors, chip screens, disc screens, and bark hogs. However, the 1980s brought significant challenges as high interest rates and a housing market crash severely impacted the sawmill industry, halting new machinery sales.
Mark Lyman, Carl Gerlinger's great-grandson, joined the company in 1983 and spearheaded a diversification strategy that remains central to West Salem's success today. The company expanded its reach within the wood products industry, supplying equipment to particle board plants, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) plants, paper mills, and biomass power plants. This diversification included the development of shredders and hammermills for fine grinding, particularly for particle board and MDF production.
1940s: Building a Legacy
Gerlinger invented the Gerlinger Carrier, a machine that could load and unload lumber, and formed the Gerlinger Carrier Company. He also created numerous other companies in the metal and manufacturing industry, including West Salem Machinery Company.
1960s-70s: Boom Times
In the early 1960s West Salem Machinery expanded their products to include wood chippers for the sawmill industry in the Pacific Northwest. For 20 years, West Salem continued to grow and provide chippers, vibrating conveyors, chip screens, disc screens and bark hogs.
80s: The Road to Recovery
Following a difficult 80s for WSM, Mark Lyman, West Salem’s current president and descendant of Carl Gerlinger, Sr., graduated from Oregon State University and joined West Salem in 1984 in technical sales, sales management, and operations. Mark’s goal was to diversify West Salem’s products and markets.
2000s: Continuing Evolution
West Salem Machinery continues to evolve, producing rugged and reliable grinding, screening, and conveying equipment as individual components or as the core of a customized, fully engineered package. With the most extensive product line available, they deliver customized and integrated solutions for a wide range of needs.
Today: Onward and Upward
Bruks Siwertell Group signed an acquisition contract for North American heavy machinery specialist, West Salem Machinery (WSM), effective from 1st July 2023. WSM engineering and manufacturing will continue to operate under its current name as a separate internal division within Bruks Siwertell Group.
Innovation and Expansion
West Salem Machinery continues to evolve, producing rugged and reliable grinding, screening, and conveying equipment as individual components or as the core of a customized, fully engineered package. With the most extensive product line available, they deliver customized and integrated solutions for a wide range of needs.