MAAG Gala in Eagle Rock, a part of the MAAG Group, a global leader in customizable process technology systems for the polymer, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, is marking its 65th anniversary.
Originating in the late 1950s, MAAG Gala began as Gala Industries, founded in a basement in Eagle Rock. The first product was the Di-D-Klip, a small stainless-steel clip for baby diapers, generating under $5,000 in its debut year. By 1988, with the advent of disposable diapers, the Di-D-Klip operation was sold.
In the mid-1960s, Gala founders Vernon “Buck” Dudley and John Pauley designed and built Gala’s first dryer in an Eagle Rock garage. The second and third dryers were manufactured in Eagle Rock at its current facility. The early units were shipped to Japan and Germany. By the late 1960s, Gala expanded with land acquisitions four miles south of Eagle Rock, developing the John Pauley Plant from an initial 6,500 square feet to its current expanse of 104,000 square feet.
In 1974, development began on Gala’s first Underwater Pelletizer. By 1977, the Model MUP-8, featuring a belt drive and control panel installation over the pelletizer, was on the market. Since then, Gala has sold thousands of pelletizers worldwide.
Gala’s core product line includes centrifugal pellet dryers, underwater pelletizers, and tempered water systems, with tailored solutions to meet customer needs. A dedicated technical service team supports global operations.
In October 2015, Switzerland-based MAAG Group, an operating company of Dover Corporation, acquired Gala Industries, Inc., bolstering MAAG’s presence in underwater pelletizer and centrifugal dryer markets. The merger positioned the combined entity as a leading global supplier of polymer and compounding equipment.
MAAG Gala employs 180 in Botetourt County and frequently hires welders, fabricators, engineers, programmers, and field service professionals. MAAG Gala continues to grow.
“Since taking over the leadership of MAAG Americas in September 2023, I have been impressed by the dedication, hard work, and customer focus of the people at MAAG Gala. Over the past 12 months we have achieved what nobody thought possible last year – we grew the business and our profitability at the same time,” said Paul Merich, Vice President of MAAG Americas.
To celebrate this milestone, the company recently held an anniversary picnic for employees and former colleagues at Limestone Park in Buchanan.
~ MAAG Gala
