Viking Iron Works Inc

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Viking Iron Works, Inc is an Open Die Forge shop located in Poughkeepsie, NY. Owned and operated by the Kunkel family since 1972, Viking manufactures custom open die forgings and mandrel forged rings for a wide range of industries. Collectively, the Kunkel Brothers have more than 150 years of experience in the forging industry and earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering Science and Computer Integrated Manufacturing.Joseph ( Joe ) Kunkel learned the forging trade as a Hammersmith at Frank Kunkel & Son Forge, which was established in 1883 in Readville, MA by Joe's grandfather. While working at Frank Kunkel & Son Forge, Joe earned certificates in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Lowell Institute at MIT. In 1962 Joe went to work for Philadelphia Steel & Iron and just six years later became Plant Manager. While employed as Plant Manager of Philadelphia Steel & Iron Joe couldn't contain his strong desire to go into business for himself. So, in 1972, with partners, Joe bought Viking Forge Company in Poughkeepsie, NY and renamed it Viking Iron Works, Inc Then, in 1975 Joe's two oldest sons left forging plants in the Philadelphia area and went to work for Joe and his partners. Joe began to teach his sons Hammersmithing, along with all other aspects of the forging business. By 1989, Joe acquired sole ownership of Viking and in 1990 made his six sons his partners. Sadly, Joe passed away in January of 2004. Today, all six of Joe's sons are still running Viking and the fifth generation of Kunkel's are following in their Grandfather's and Great-Great grandfather's footsteps by learning the forging trade.