George, IA - Diversified Technologies, Inc. was awarded $100,000 from the Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA) program to create jobs and add new grain handling equipment to its manufacturing plant in George. The project will create 29 jobs in the northwest Iowa community. Remodeling and expanding the company’s assembly space in 2008 will allow Diversified Technologies to produce the newly designed equipment.
The remodeling work will add an additional 2,000 square feet of assembly space, while new construction will add approximately 7,600 square feet. This expansion will allow the company to also expand sales. As a result of this project, the Diversified Technologies will add additional equipment to its product line. Included in this aspect of the project are 40,000 bushel per hour conveyors, a portable auger, and a 20,000-bushel per hour grain loading vehicle.
Diversified Technologies, Inc. started as a blacksmith shop in 1888 in George, Iowa. By the 1940’s the company, then known as Sudenga Brothers, began manufacturing a rear end loader for the Ford Ferguson tractor. In 1946, due to the success of this product, the company moved entirely to manufacturing. Some of the first products included a front end tractor and side wagon hitches for combines. In 1955, the company started manufacturing transport augers.
In 1957, Sudenga Iron Works developed their first bulk-feed bodies. Due to the large size of these machines, additional space was necessary and a decision was made in 1958 to move to the current location, one mile northwest of George, IA. The company expanded its product lines to include one of the broadest lines of grain, seed, fertilizer and feed handling equipment in the industry.
The company diversified in the 1980’s, and a line of 3 and 4 wheel electric scooters manufactured under the name Ranger All Season Corporation was developed. Around the same time, Dur-A-Lift truck mounted aerial lifts was also purchased from its original owners and relocated to George. Sudenga Industries, Ranger All-Season Corporation and Dur-A-Lift Inc. were all brought under the Diversified Technologies, Inc. umbrella.
For more information on Diversified Technologies, Inc, visit their website at www.diversified-technoligies.com. Visit www.iowalifechanging.com for more information on the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s EDSA and other economic development programs.
