Rohn Industries
Manufacturer of telecommunications towers and support structures worldwide.
ROHN Products, LLC—previously known as ROHN Industries, Inc. and UNR Industries, Inc.—makes telecommunications towers, poles, utility structures, mounts, and related equipment. Its product line includes support structures for antennas, private microwave systems, cellular networks, personal communications systems, commercial broadcasting, and amateur radio.
The company began as ROHN Manufacturing in 1948, founded by Dwight Rohn, who was then manager of the Peoria Airport. His first tower was built for airport use. Early on, ROHN produced antenna towers for home television reception, then expanded into telecommunications towers and other communication products, including broadcast towers reaching 2,000 feet. ROHN towers have been installed worldwide.
The business remained family-owned until 1971, when it was sold to UNARCO Industries. UNARCO filed for bankruptcy in 1982 and reorganized as UNR Industries, Inc., later changing its name to ROHN Industries, Inc. In 2003, Radian Corporation acquired ROHN Industries, Inc., and in 2008 ROHN Products, LLC became independent again. Later that same year, O'Brien Steel Service Co. purchased ROHN Products, LLC.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- / Bellevue, Illinois, U.S.
- Founder
- Dwight Rohn
- Hq Location
- Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Parent
- O'Brien Steel Service Company
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
ROHN Manufacturing was founded in 1948 by Dwight Rohn, who at the time was manager of the Peoria Airport. The first tower he built was for airport use. ROHN first began producing antenna towers for home television reception, and subsequently expanded its product line to include the manufacturing of telecommunication towers and other communication products, including broadcast towers of up to 2,000 feet high.
The company was family-owned until it was sold to UNARCO Industries in 1971. UNARCO Industries, Inc. declared bankruptcy in 1982 and was reorganized as UNR Industries, Inc., later changing the name to ROHN Industries, Inc. In 2003, ROHN Industries, Inc. was acquired by Radian Corporation and in 2008 ROHN Products, LLC became independent again. In 2008, ROHN Products, LLC was acquired by O'Brien Steel Service Co.
Reader's Guide
ROHN Industries is notable for its long history in the telecommunications infrastructure industry, beginning with a single airport tower in 1948 and expanding to produce towers up to 2,000 feet high for broadcast and communications use worldwide. The company's products support a wide range of applications, from amateur radio to commercial broadcasting and cellular systems. Its corporate history reflects several ownership changes, including a bankruptcy reorganization in the 1980s and subsequent acquisitions, yet the ROHN name has persisted as a recognized brand in tower manufacturing. The company's towers have been installed globally, indicating a broad reach in the communications sector.
Did You Know?
- ROHN was founded in 1948 by Dwight Rohn, who was manager of the Peoria Airport at the time.
- The first tower Rohn built was for airport use.
- ROHN has manufactured broadcast towers up to 2,000 feet high.
- The company was family-owned until its sale to UNARCO Industries in 1971.
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