Produced by Mark Thompson & Written by Eric Gundberg (from US Business Executive)
GT Mfg. Inc. (GT Mfg.) has been manufacturing and selling the company’s brands of batch grain dryers since 1953. Operating from its manufacturing facility in Clay Center, Kan. (population 4,334), GT Mfg. has shipped its dryers to over 64 different countries since it was established. The company is known as the worldwide leader in the batch grain dryer field. Dennis Pedersen, president of GT Mfg., attributes the company’s long-term success to several factors.
“Most importantly, GT Mfg. owner James Sampson is so supportive and devoted to growing the company, whether by investing in new machinery needed or by off3ring constant ideas on current production or new products,” explains Pederson. “Sampson’s presence has established an environment where the entire company operates on the premise that everyone is part of one extended family.
“Then there is the company’s superior workmanship, delivered by dedicated plant employees striving to be the best under the guidance of plant supervisor Gary Willmann,” continues Pedersen. “And our engineers are so knowledgeable about farming they assure the products being produced and assembled are the most efficient and safe. A costing staff stays on top of changes that are constantly appearing to keep our products reasonable price.”
“Our company’s approach to manufacturing has always been simple: If you’re going to build something, you have to do it right, otherwise, don’t build it at all,” explains Pedersen proudly. “We still sell parts and provide service for dryers that are over 50 years old and many that are still in operation in foreign countries after 40 years.”
GT Mfg. employs 45 personnel at its manufacturing facility and sells its products in 64 countries around the world. “If you use superior workmanship, and match it with quality, unbeatable service, competitive and reasonable pricing, technicians who can provide excellent service over the phone and on site, and you offer a product that benefits the farming community you serve, you’ll succeed,” adds Pedersen.
GT Mfg.’s grain dryers are easy to install, economic in use, and maintain a high resale value. In fact the company has not only remained active during the nation’s recent prolonged economic slump; it’s actually been growing. “We’re so diversified in the countries where we sell our batch dryers that if things slow down in one area, it tends to be offset by an increase in another country,” explains Pedersen. “Last year we sold 36 dryers in Kenya and 27 in the Philippines.”
Innovative Methods to Bring in New Business
Pedersen actively utilizes new media to find new customers. The company has YouTube videos online and Pedersen scours websites to determine new markets. “The CIA maintains a database of country facts online that detail a country’s ag production and economic stability,” recounts Pedersen. “I also use the State Department’s website to get in touch with foreign ambassadors here in the United States to help connect me with prospective clients in their respective countries.”
Pedersen, who has worked for GT Mfg. for over 40 years, understands how best to position the company’s efforts as he worked his way up the chain to his current position. “When I got out of the military I applied for a job here,” he outlines. “I’ve worked in almost every department in the company; I started out in the fabrication shop and moved on to the assembly line, then shipping and receiving, then purchasing, then sales and where I am now.”
Combining Pedersen’s leadership with the employees’ superior workmanship, GT Mfg. has actively been working to recapture its domestic market share. “We went through a period where we were really focused on the international market and we allowed our domestic presence to shrink,” says Pedersen. “In the last four years we’ve been working to change that.
GT Mfg. has always worked closely with its customers to develop new technology that will fit the changing demands of production growth, and will continue to do so.
Innovative Methods to Bring in New Business
Pedersen actively utilizes new media to find new customers. The company has YouTube videos online and Pedersen scours websites to determine new markets. “The CIA maintains a database of country facts online that detail a country’s ag production and economic stability,” recounts Pedersen. “I also use the State Department’s website to get in touch with foreign ambassadors here in the United States to help connect me with prospective clients in their respective countries.”
Pedersen, who has worked for GT Mfg. for over 40 years, understands how best to position the company’s efforts as he worked his way up the chain to his current position. “When I got out of the military I applied for a job here,” he outlines. “I’ve worked in almost every department in the company; I started out in the fabrication shop and moved on to the assembly line, then shipping and receiving, then purchasing, then sales and where I am now.”
Combining Pedersen’s leadership with the employees’ superior workmanship, GT Mfg. has actively been working to recapture its domestic market share. “We went through a period where we were really focused on the international market and we allowed our domestic presence to shrink,” says Pedersen. “In the last four years we’ve been working to change that.
GT Mfg. has always worked closely with its customers to develop new technology that will fit the changing demands of production growth, and will continue to do so.
