MAGNETIC LEGACY: THE HISTORY OF WALMAG DATES BACK TO THE 1960S

 

Walmag's lifting magnets and magnetic chucks entered the market in 2011, but the brand wasn't built from scratch. At its launch, it drew on over seventy years of experience. In fact, with a bit of perspective, our roots trace back to the late 19th century — and even across the ocean over to the USA.

Origins of Walmag: The USA

We’re in the United States in the final decade of the 19th century. Oakley Smith Walker, a mechanic working for a company that manufactures drill grinders, catches his employer’s eye. He’s bursting with ideas on how to improve production, so his employer creates a new role just for him. Walker becomes the chief mechanic, an inventor, and a designer, all rolled into one, tasked with driving innovation.

This setup pays off. Smith Walker gradually designs machines to align grinding wheels and even develops a new type of grinder that’s still in use today. However, his most significant discovery, which would change history, was something else entirely. Walker realised there was no reliable device on the market to firmly hold machine parts during processing. So, he set out to find a solution.

Smith Walker decides to harness the power of magnetism. It’s a brilliant move. He invents the magnetic clamp, a device that holds machine parts securely in place while they’re being worked on with lathes, planers, or grinders. Not only does it speed up production, but it makes the process much safer too.

Recognising the potential of his invention, Walker decides to take a gamble. He leaves his job and, in 1897, starts his own manufacturing company. The risk pays off. Walker’s success grows, and his O.S. Walker Company soon becomes a leading brand, delivering magnetic chucks worldwide.

Origins of Walmag: The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

A leap forward in time. It’s 1960 in totalitarian Czechoslovakia, and the magnetic technology division of NAREX — a producer of tools, instruments, and gauges — is established. The industrial magnet is one of their new products. Initially sold under the NAREX brand, it soon moves under PILANA.

Returning to American Roots

By the 1970s, the O.S. Walker Company has established its place in the market as a respected international manufacturer. Its lifting magnets are used to move sheet metal, pipes, rails, and other materials, proving their durability in tough industrial environments. Another product, scrap magnets, finds use in scrapyards, rail yards, automotive plants, and various other facilities.

The company’s success is so great that, by 1978, it becomes the Walker Magnetics Group Inc holding company.

Back to Czechoslovakia

And how does Oakley Smith Walker's legacy connect with the Walmag story?

It’s 1991, and companies in Czechoslovakia (owned by the state for as many as 40 years) are undergoing the process of privatisation (to be owned by private individuals). PILANA transforms into a state-owned joint-stock company and, in the same year, becomes part of the Walker Magnetics Company holding group. Renamed Walker Pilana Magnetics, it remains part of the holding for the next 20 years. The current Walmag management and several key employees gain valuable experience there.

A Path to Independence

We were part of the Walker Magnetics Company for 20 years, but in 2011, we decided to stand on our own. We left the Walker Pilana Magnetics group and became an independent company, entering the market under the name Walmag, or Walmag Magnetics. While our name pays homage to Walker Magnetics, we made it clear that we were a new, independent entity.

Starting the first chapter of our journey wasn't easy. We managed to pull through the buyout from our original foreign owners and successfully moved into our own facility — all without interrupting our operations and production. This gave us the solid foundation we needed to grow as an independent company, and we've been moving forward ever since.

Since 2011, we've more than doubled our turnover, growing 2.5 times. Of course, none of this would have been possible without expanding our team. We now have over twice as many employees as we did when we first went independent. We’ve also made significant investments into new technologies. While less than 10 million Czech crowns were invested in development before 2011, we've invested more than 35 million CZK as an independent company.

Who We Are Today: Walmag's Modern Identity

Today, Walmag is a trusted global brand, designing, manufacturing, and supplying innovative magnetic systems used by thousands of companies in 65 countries across all continents. We’re also committed to giving back. Through the Walmag Foundation, we’ve donated over one million CZK to support various causes.

We’re a team of experienced, dedicated professionals. Many of our employees have been with Walmag for more than 30 years, and we pride ourselves in our commitment to meeting customer needs — whether it’s a non-standard size or a custom finish of a magnet.