For 100 years, Prater has been at the forefront of industrial innovation, shaping industries with advanced technology and an unwavering commitment to quality. Founded in 1925 by Ralph Prater, our journey began with hammer mills designed to meet the needs of the feed industry. From these humble beginnings, we have continuously evolved, introducing groundbreaking products that revolutionized material processing. As we look back on our history, we’re equally excited about the future—a future we are actively building, one innovation at a time.
Looking Ahead: A Future Driven by Innovation and Growth
While we celebrate a century of achievement, we are more focused than ever on the road ahead. The next 100 years will be defined by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. At Prater, we are embracing cutting-edge technologies, such as automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable practices, not only to meet but to exceed the needs of industries worldwide. We continue to invest in research and development, driving advancements that will shape the future of material processing. Our dedication to quality, customer success, and performance will guide us as we forge new paths in our next century, making Prater not just a legacy but a leader in the industrial world for generations to come.
Key Milestones
- 1925 – Prater Pulverizer Co. founded.
- 1940s – Expanded into new industries beyond agriculture.
- 1951 – Introduced Rotary Airlocks, setting a new standard in product handling.
- 1980s – Revolutionized processing solutions with Fine Grinders, Mega Mills, and Rota-Sieves.
- 2004 – Relocated to Bolingbrook, IL, and rebranded as Prater-Sterling.
- 2021 – Acquired IPEC, strengthening our capabilities.
- 2025 – Celebrating 100 years of excellence, with a vision for the future.
Quality review 
Company meeting 
New Rota Sieve line of centrifugal sifters 
Prater factory in Cicero IL 
Chicago office 
Dual Feed hammermill DF series 
Early in house test lab 
In house engineering 
Rich Minarik left who would go from Field Service to Engineering to Customer Service showing the flexibility of our personnel who was a 38 year employee 
Early Prater complete Farm System 
Ralph Prater 
Shipment of Prater VS Vibratory Screeners Prater would sell several thousand over the course of this product line