Former Clyde Iron Works Employees Gather for Reunion

The company once manufactured the largest cranes in the world.

Many of us may know Clyde Iron Works for their unique building and as a place to host an event or grab some good food.

But it’s history dates back nearly one hundred years, where this site was a manufacturer of some of the biggest cranes in the world.

Former Clyde Iron Works employees held a reunion in honor of the company’s leaving Duluth thirty years ago.

“It is interesting to see all the people. Most of them you haven’t seen for the 30 years,” said former service manager Dave Beatty.

The company was responsible for making some of the biggest cranes in the world.

So now where memories are made over a burger, nearly one hundred and fifty employees once powered machines to do all the heavy lifting.

“They were quite impressive to see,” said Beatty.

Clyde’s began making logging equipment and then moved onto cranes.

“It was a great company to work for,” said Beatty.

The cranes were so large, they were started in Duluth and completed elsewhere.

“Most of the people that worked there never saw the finished product,” said Beatty.

The cranes were used in off-shore oil production and at one time 50% of the cranes at United States shipyards came from Clyde’s.

“It was always enjoyable,” said Greg Czerniak, former director of product management.

After a merger, Clyde’s left Duluth thirty years ago, but the bonds created couldn’t be broken.

“Clyde’s was run as a family,” said Greg Czerniak.

Each comes with their own story and their own memories of a company that did some heavy lifting.

“Clyde’s will never go away,” said Czerniak.

Former employees came from around the world for the Clyde’s reunion.