KINZE Manufacturing Inc
Kinze is still privately held by the Kinzenbaw family and a market leader in innovative, durable and high-quality planters and grain carts. The company`s world headquarters and manufacturing facilities span more than 25 acres under roof. Kinze continues to reinvest into the future with state-of-the-art facilities and manufacturing equipment, while marketing their equipment through a global dealer network. The Kinzenbaw family and many Kinze employees own and operate row crop farms. This also brings a unique perspective to the way Kinze equipment is designed and manufactured. What better way to evaluate farm equipment than using it in your own farming operation. At Kinze, it starts with listening. Listening to farmers at the forefront of innovation. Farmers who want to take advantage of proven technologies that maximize productivity. Listening, then designing, building, testing, refining and using it on our own farms. That`s the way it works at Kinze!
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Crop Cultivation
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
- 1965
About Us
In 1965, a 21-year old farm boy from Victor, Iowa opened his own welding shop with a small bank loan and $25 in his pocket. Anyone who knew young Jon Kinzenbaw at the time could see he had a gifted ability for 'fixing things.' However, no one could have predicted this little welding business would one day turn into one of the largest, privately held agricultural equipment manufacturers in North America.
Jon's first manufactured product: a 13-knife, 30-ft anhydrous ammonia application toolbar. His first patented product: a high-clearance, variable-width moldboard plow. His first major innovation: the first-ever single axle, low-profile grain cart (with giant high-flotation tires), designed and built in 1971. It revolutionized grain handling during harvest time.
However, the event that really placed Kinze on an amazing growth curve that continues still today was a conversation with farmers in 1975. After hearing some of his farmer friends complain about the amount of time they wasted constantly dismantling and loading their planters onto Donahue trailers, Jon invented a rear-folding planter toolbar. It revolutionized planting overnight.
'There is nothing more powerful than a better idea and a satisfied customer. That first rear-fold planter sold 20 more. The next 20 sold another 80. And that's the way it happens,' Kinzenbaw says.
To meet the huge demand, Kinzenbaw purchased 10 acres of land and built a new manufacturing plant just North of I-80 near Williamsburg, Iowa. Before the end of the decade, he added 600- and 800-bushel grain carts to the product line-up. And ever since then, the ideas have just kept coming.
Values
How a company conducts itself in the business world starts at the top. In 1965, Jon Kinzenbaw founded the company on a set of core values. These core values have withstood the test of time and are the foundation of our culture. They are as relevant today as they were in 1965 and drive all business activities and decisions.
INTEGRITY
We will conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships. Honesty, commitment, truth and honor are not just words; they are the governing Christian principles by which we conduct our business.
CUSTOMER FOCUS
We are customer driven. There must be a sense of urgency on any matters related to our customers. Service and warranty are ahead of profit. Customers assure our future and drive our growth. We are in business as a result of the trust and loyalty of our customers.
EXCELLENCE
We are committed to excellence. It must permeate our culture and every aspect of our activities. Each of us must make a maximum effort to provide a quality product that responds to and anticipates our customer needs. Our products must meet and exceed competition. Rather than asking, 'Is it good enough?' we must ask, 'How can we do it better?' The policies and procedures we implement will guide the management of our organization's crucial resources so we can remain profitable. Operational excellence will be achieved by working together as a team and diligently performing tasks in an exceptional manner. The quality of everything we do reflects on us and is essential for maintaining long-term relationships with our customers, suppliers and employees.
INNOVATION
Innovation is critical to our success. Our workplace must be an environment where creativity and new ideas, consistent with our company direction, have the ability to reach their full potential. We welcome new challenges as opportunities for growth and must be able to react quickly to our customer needs.
MUTUAL RESPECT
Mutual respect is the ability to listen to and learn from everyone. We care about the professional and personal well-being of each member of Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. People are our greatest asset, and we will strive to exhibit care, concern and interest in those with whom we work and with whom we do business. Our work environment respects individual talents and provides opportunities for training, leadership development, professional growth and financial reward. A secure, highly motivated and well-trained workforce will thrive and enjoy the challenges of meeting our customer needs.