Jim Sampson, left, owner of GT Mfg., Inc. and company president Dennis Pederson stand by the case displaying awards the company has received over the past six years.
When Grain Belt Manufacturing owner Jim Sampson of Salina came up to Clay Center 25 years ago to survey the remnants of GT Manufacturing, his expectations of the value of the company were not high.
In fact, his intention was to close down the portable grain dryer manufacturer that had been in Clay Center since the 1950s.
He was so impressed with the company’s product and people that he bought the company, intending to expand the company’s export business. And under the guidance of GT president Dennis Pedersen, sales began growing and GT never looked back.
Today business is booming. The company’s sales and orders on hand so far this year have already exceeded total sales last year.
Much of that success has been due to export market GT has built literally one customer at a time. The export market, used to be fairly seasonal with no export business during July through September, Pedersen said.
“Now we’re exporting all year ‘round.”
Sampson was in town Thursday looking over the operation.
GT’s market has expanded both domestically and internationally to more than 83 countries over six continents and the company’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The firm has garnered four exporter awards culminating May 21 with the U.S. Department of Commerce Presidential “E” Award for exporting presented by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in ceremonies in Washington D.C. The firm was one of 25 awards presented to companies around the country.
Sampson said he believes the national award is a direct reflection of GT employees and the efforts they put forth.
GT is thriving in a market with ag equipment giants and new tariffs announced by the Trump administration that have disrupted many manufacturers around the country.
GT has no middle man between the manufacturer and the customer.
“We build the equipment here and sell directly to the customer, Pedersen said.
Sampson and Pedersen believe that is one reason GT, a sole proprietorship, can compete against large predatory farm equipment manufacturers trying to break in to the burgeoning grain dryer market.
Those large farm equipment producers after the market are a greater challenge than the recent tariffs, which Pedersen says hasn’t affected the company’s sales at all.
“I think there’s a lot of people who don’t understand what we’ve accomplished down here,” Pedersen said. “And without the advice and support of Jim, we wouldn’t do anything here.”
GT’s awards started with the SBA’s Kansas Exporter of the Year award in 2014. The company also was a finalist for the Governor’s Exporter of the Year award from the State of Kansas in 2013, 2014 and 2015, winning the award in 2016. Last year the firm was awarded the Kansas Exporter of the Year award by the Small Business Development Center. And this year came the Presidential “E” Award for Exporting.
