Peterson Spring, a division of Peterson American Corporation, has been in business in Athens, GA since 1963.  On November 18, 2014, Peterson Spring was host to a celebration to commemorate their corporation’s 100 years of business. 

In attendance were Dan Sceli – CEO, Tim Masserant – CFO, Rick Peterson- Board of Directors, Mike Kohout – VP of Industrial Operations, special guests Hans Guenther – Former General Manager and Commissioner Harry Sims.   

“Peterson Spring has been in business for over 100 years, proving that Peterson American Corporation makes quality products. It takes quality people to make a quality product. On behalf of the Mayor and Commission, thank you to Peterson Spring and all of the employees here today for your commitment to Athens-Clarke County” declared Commissioner Sims as he presented the company with a Key to the City in honor of their centennial anniversary. The key to the city for Athens-Clarke County, Georgia is presented to distinguished persons, honored guests, and friends of the community. Mayor Nancy Denson, who would normally present the key to the city was out of town for a family emergency. Keys to the city are given out only by a sitting Mayor and are considered honored and prized possessions by recipients. Each mayor designs his or her own unique key; no two are alike. Mayor Nancy Denson’s key showcases the dome of City Hall, which houses the Mayor’s Office. It also includes the phrase “The Classic City. 

Peterson Spring’s Athens plant employs 80 employees, some of which have been employed for over 40 years. Cary Foster, the current General Manager, shares, “Our success at Peterson Spring Georgia Plant can be attributed to the dedication and outstanding performance of all of our employees.   Our employee turnover is very low with the average years of service being 25 years with several others that have been here over 40 years.  Our employees are one of the main keys to our success in Georgia.” 

Core to Peterson’s success is the Peterson Performance Culture. All employees have a voice and innovation is created by all. Peterson is constantly connected to changes in design, function, and efficiency in the industry and works closely with their customers to ensure a quality product. Peterson Spring continually educates and upgrades to stay ahead of the competition. 

Peterson American Corporation is one of only 23 privately owned companies in the United States that is still owned by the same family. Their first spring factory was established in Detroit, Michigan in 1914 and the company was incorporated in 1932. Peterson American Corporation is the largest independent spring manufacturer in North America.  They are a charter member of the Spring Manufacturers Institute. Through designing, manufacturing and supplying springs, snap-rings, wire forms, clips, clamps, stampings, and a variety of sub-assemblies, Peterson Spring has expanded to 13 worldwide locations. All locations are QS/ISO/TS Registered. Their products can be found in markets such as automotive, industrial, agricultural, furniture, and appliances as well as many others.

The story of Peterson Spring begins in the 1880s with the immigration of a young Norwegian blacksmith to America.  August Christian Peterson studied blacksmithing – the trade of choice for early spring makers – and gradually rose through the ranks of spring manufacturing in the early 1900s.  Eventually August would come to manage various plants across the Midwest.  In 1914, August was prompted to move his family to Detroit and form a company with the vision of meeting a lion’s share of the demand for springs within the railroad industry and the budding automobile industry.

Today, the company supplies more than 450 customers in 48 different countries with a broad line of mechanical springs, rings and wire forms for various markets such as: aerospace and defense, automotive, consumer products, industrial/ equipment, medical/healthcare, recreational vehicles, specialty products (developmental, prototype, service), and motorsports. One of Peterson Spring’s most significant products is engine valve springs, which they started producing in 1912 (before incorporating).