Power Curbers Company History

Power Curbers, Inc. was formed in 1953 in Salisbury, NC, USA, the home town of one of the founders, to manufacture curb equipment. Today, the company remains true to its roots in curb and gutter, corporate location and family ownership. Power Curbers 5700 Series curb machines lead the world market.


Power Curbers old logo

1953

The company is founded by two Salisbury businessmen, John S. Henderson, an engineer, and E.L. Hardin, mayor of the city, to manufacture extruding curb equipment for city streets and for developing the land into subdivisions. The first machine, the 55-A Automatic Extruder, mechanized an otherwise time-consuming, manual process of laying out highway curbs and median islands. It was described as extruding asphalt much like toothpaste is extruded from a tube. Todays Power Curber 150 Extruder is a walk-behind piece of equipment, pouring either asphalt or concrete curb.

1957

The original invention is applied to curb and gutter work. This proves to be a major step for the company.

1959

Richard Messinger, the son-in-law of John Henderson, joins the company as president, concentrating on domestic and international markets and building a dealer network.


Power Curbers History

1970-1974

The first concrete slipform machine, the Curb King Model 6500, is manufactured. It held the patent for the first 4-crawler slipform machine.

1971

The Curb King Model 6500 is the first slipform machine to pour in the offset position, now an industry standard.

1980

Dyke Messinger, son of Richard Messinger, becomes president and CEO, with concentrations on research and development, customer focus, and diversification.

1980

Power Curbers receives a patent for Trim and Pour Ditch Mold (4,197,032 www.uspto.com)

1982

Power Curbers receives a patent for Ditch Mold (4,319,859 www.uspto.com)

1983

Richard Messinger receives the U.S. Department of Commerce’ s E Award for Excellence in Exports from President Ronald Reagan.

1985

5700 Series begins, leading Power Curbers to the #1 position in the world in the sale of curb and gutter slipform machines. The 5700 features the hydraulic offset, allowing the machine to maneuver around obstacles quickly. The 5700 Series also slipforms sidewalks, highway safety barrier, bridge parapet, and special applications, such as stadium risers, ditch liners, and concrete paths up to 8 feet (2.44m) wide.

1988

Power Curbers receives a patent for Straddle Legs and Extended Frame (4,789,266 www.uspto.com)

1989

Power Curbers receives a patent for Side Shift Trimmer (4,808,026 www.uspto.com)

1990

Associates link themselves to the mission statement: Our Commitment Shows.

1991

Power Curber machinery is chosen to pave the railbeds in the tunnels for the Eurotunnel project beneath the English Channel between England and France. The machinery slipformed the railbed and sidewalks on the sloped walls of the tunnels. A total of 31 miles (50 km) of railbed and 62 miles (100 km) of sidewalk was completed from France in a record 9 months, as opposed to 17 months of doing the same work by hand from England.

1994

Power Curbers wins Governors New Product Award from the North Carolina Professional Engineers of North Carolina for the Eurotunnel Rail Tunnel Invert Concrete Paving Machine design.

1994

5700-B, with an enclosed auger for better mixing capability and increased productivity, is introduced.

1994

The 5700-B wins a Top 100 New Product Award from Construction Equipment magazine.

1996

Richard Messinger is inducted into the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame.

1996

Quick Connect Mold Mount System is introduced, allowing operators to change molds in a matter of minutes, as opposed to more than 30 minutes by hand.

1997

Power Curbers receives a patent for Quick Connect Mold Mount (5662431 www.uspto.com)

1998

Power Curbers improves service to customers by establishing regional sales and service managers in states across the country.

2000

Power Curbers receives a patent for Auto Slope Compensation (6,109,825 www.uspto.com)

2002

Power Curbers forms Power Pavers, Inc., in Cedar Falls, IA, a manufacturer of concrete slipform pavers, placer spreaders, texture cure machines and form pavers that produce product up to 32 feet wide, with extensions, for residential streets, highways, and airports.

2003

Power Curbers & Power Pavers win Measures of Success marketing award from Publications in Construction and Agriculture, Association of Equipment Manufacturers Marketing Council.

2004

The 5700-SUPER-B is introduced, with 50% more horsepower, for faster production.

2004

The 5700-SUPER-B wins a Top 100 New Product Award from Construction Equipment magazine and a Top Rollout Award from Better Roads magazine.

2004

Power Curbers is selected Manufacturer of the Year for Global Logistics Excellence, World Trade magazine.

2004

Power Curbers receives a patent for Paver Steering Collars (6,692,185 www.uspto.com)

2004

Power Curbers receives a patent for Paver Strike Offs (6,715,957 www.uspto.com)

2006

Post-hole Digger Attachment for 5700 Series machine receives Top Rollout Award from Better Roads magazine.

2006

Power Curbers receives a patent for Slipform Paver Side Plates (6,984,089, www.uspto.com)

2006

Power Curbers & Power Pavers wins Measures of Success marketing award from Publications in Construction and Agriculture, Association of Equipment Manufacturers Marketing Council.

2007

The 5700-C is introduced, with the capability to pour on either the left or right-hand side and Smart Amp™ controls, giving the machine operator greater flexibility for adjusting the sensitivity.

2007

5700-C wins Top 100 Products Award, Construction Equipment magazine.

2007

Corporate headquarters moves to a new manufacturing facility in Salisbury that is geared to customer response. The new facility allows for an intense focus on delivering the utmost value to customers, with manufacturing designed to eliminate waste, drive down lead times and drive up parts delivery. Products are being sold in 80 countries.

2008

Power Curbers receives Registered Trademark for Smart Amp™ Control from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

2008

Power Curbers receives Progressive Manufacturing Award from Managing Automation magazine.

2008

Power Curbers receives a patent for Post Hole Digger (7,393,156 www.uspto.com)

2009

The 5700-C-MAX is introduced, with the skeleton of a 5700-C and the inclusion of key options, it is optimized to handle larger applications.


2013

Power Curbers celebrates its 60th anniversary.

2017

Dyke Messinger is inducted into the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Hall of Fame.

2017

Power Curbers and Power Pavers introduce their largest machines to date. The Power Curber 7700, a 4-track, multipurpose slipform machine designed for a wide variety of offset applications and paving. Also introduced is the Power Paver SF-2404, the first Power Paver model available in a 4-track configuration.

2019

Products are being sold in over 100 countries.

2020

The 5700-D begins production with the SlipSmart Control Solution, the most responsive and accurate system yet. Boasting an enhanced cross-slope control, fine speed scaling, intuitive display, and improved integration with 3D/Stringless control equipment from Topcon, Leica, or Trimble.