Seeing the need for the services of a blacksmith, German immigrant, Folkert Sudenga opened the doors of his blacksmith shop in the summer of 1888 on the Main Street George, Iowa. Sudenga provided area farmers with shoes for their horses and replacement parts for their wagons. Sudenga’s sons, Philip and George, eventually joined their father in the shop in the early 1890’s. The Sudengas became know for reliable solutions to the inevitable equipment problems that arose for early area farmers. In 1898, the Sudengas produced a trip hammer, which was the first item to ever be manufactured in George.
By 1902, Folkert’s sons, George and Philip, had taken over the business from their father and renamed it Sudenga Bros. Phillip’s sons, Floyd and Jay Sudenga, grew up helping their father with his business. As Philip’s health was failing, his sons joined their father in ownership on January 1, 1945. At the request of a salesman at Sudenga Motor Co., Sudenga Bros. began manufacturing a rear end loader for the Ford Ferguson tractor. In 1946, due to the success of this manufactured product, the Sudengas switched entirely to manufacturing.
Most ideas for products came from local farmers’ desire for “labor saving devices.” Some of the first products included a front end tractor J&S Wire Winder combined with a portable sawmill and table miter saw, wagon box tie downs and extra clutch for live power takeoff, corn picker blowers, and side wagon hitches for combines. In 1955, Sudenga Iron Works, which they were now called, bought out the auger equipment from B&O Manufacturing of Columbus, NE and started manufacturing transport augers.
In 1957, Sudenga Iron Works developed their first bulk feed bodies. After beginning the manufacture of these large machines, space was short and a decision was made in 1958 to move to Sudenga Industries’ current location 1 mile northwest of George, IA.
In 1976, after over thirty years in business, Floyd and Jay Sudenga made the decision to retire. The business was sold to five key employees, Larry Kruse, Lyle Hollander, Gordon Jurrens, Lemoyne Bleeker and Bud Thoelke. Able to draw on a virtually unmatched tradition of product development for the agricultural industry was (and still is) Sudenga’s strength, and demand for Sudenga products increased. Product lines were expanded to meet this demand, eventually growing to include one of the broadest lines of grain, seed, fertilizer and feed handling equipment in the industry.
Diversification became important in the 80’s, and a line of 3 and 4 wheel electric scooters manufactured under the name Ranger All Season Corporation were developed. Around that same time, Dur-A-Lift truck mounted aerial lifts was also purchased from its original owners and brought on-board. Sudenga Industries, Ranger All-Season Corp and Dur-A-Lift Inc. were all brought under the Diversified Technologies, Inc. umbrella.
While three of the original five that purchased the business from the Jay and Floyd Sudenga have retired, Larry Kruse and Lyle Hollander continue to run Diversified Technologies, Inc. today. 2006 marks their 30th year as owners of Sudenga Industries, Inc. Today Diversified Technologies continues to grow with an ever-expanding product line and customer base. Owners and employees alike ensure that any Diversified Technologies product that leaves the factory embodies the quality and innovation that comes with over 115 years of manufacturing experience.
