Canton and its industrial businesses are highlighted, including the new company, Decker Equipment & Rentals (pictured).
Photo by Bob Fitch
ABOUT US
The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance (SMGA) is a nonprofit economic development organization that works to improve the economy and advocates for business development and quality of life in the communities around Sioux Falls. SMGA advocates on behalf of Baltic, Brandon, Canton, Centerville, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Harrisburg, Hartford, Humboldt, Lennox, Salem, Tea, Valley Springs, and Worthing. All of these communities provide rewarding places to live and to work.
CONTACT US
Sioux Metro Growth Alliance 196 E. 6th St., Suite 200 Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605.679.7149 info@siouxmetro.com
Sharese Ihnen, Chair, Lennox Area Development Corp.
Bryce Healy, Economic Development & Member Relations Specialist
Chris Fields, Economic Development and Member Relations Specialist
Joshua Chase, Economic Development and Member Relations Specialist
Karen Ruhland, Administrative Support
MEMBERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD
Minnehaha Co. Commission Dean Karsky, MAB Chair
City of Brandon Patrick Andrews
City of Canton Jeff Tanner
City of Centerville Jared Hybertson
City of Colton Monte Koopman
City of Crooks Mike Harstad
City of Dell Rapids Chuck Jones
City of Garretson
City of Harrisburg
City of Hartford
Chad Hanisch
Derick Wenck
Amy M. Farr
City of Humboldt Kelly O’Gorman
City of Lennox Dr. Britney Mower
City of Salem
City of Tea
Mitch Rayman
Aaron Otten
City of Valley Springs Rick Larsen
City of Worthing Scott DeWitt
Lincoln County Joel Arends
McCook County Chuck Mehlbrech
Turner County Mick Miller
Alliance Comm. Paul VanDeBerg
Bluepeak Lucas Peterson
East River Electric Eric Fosheim
Golden West Greg Oleson
Lloyd Companies Drew O’Brien
Midco Andrew Curley
MidAmerican Energy Sam Wagner
NorthWestern Energy Paul Mantz
SD Development Corp Brad Jankord
Sioux Valley Energy Brandon Lane
Southeastern Electric Todd Nelson
US Bank Eric Krouse
Xcel Energy Joe Anderson
BUILDING DEEPER CONNECTIONS
Sioux Metro Growth Alliance hosted many of our signature events over the last quarter. These events bring together longtime friends and newcomers to build deeper connections with our members. Interest in our alliance and its capabilities has surged, evidenced by a growing number of inquiries about bridging more of the business community with our regional partners. More individuals and businesses across the country are recognizing the opportunities offered by our member communities. The Sioux Falls Metro was notably acknowledged by the U.S. Census Bureau in March for its rapid growth, becoming the fastest-growing area in the Midwest with a 6.3% increase and surpassing 300,000 residents.
EVER Best
This May, we were pleased to welcome Joshua Chase as a new, full-time staff member and Grishma KC as our summer intern from Augustana. Joshua is a Dell Rapids high school graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Dakota. He will soon earn his master’s in public administration also from USD. Both have already made an impact in their roles and will continue to help our organization in many ways.
Our member communities are actively exploring new strategies to attract and retain businesses and families, focusing on housing, business parks, main street revitalization, childcare, retail, and more. Given the diversity of needs and preferences within and across our communities, it’s crucial to employ flexible and creative approaches to promote economic and community development.
At SMGA, we leverage data-driven insights and cultivate a culture of managed, intentional growth. By anticipating trends and proactively addressing potential disruptions, we ensure the competitiveness and resilience of our communities remains constant.
SMGA’s network and resources are expanding as businesses engage with us and discover opportunities within the Sioux Metro. Events such as the Minnehaha County Bus Tour, the Gold Shovel Golf Classic, and more of our upcoming gatherings not only enhance regional connections but also amplify community promotion, foster new relationships and business synergies across different sectors.
In summary, SMGA’s work is dynamic, requiring creativity, resilience, and a deep understanding of our communities. We are committed to promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth in the Sioux Metro through our dedicated team and partners. Make sure to stay connected with us through our digital channels and events to be part of our ongoing success, and please reach out to us anytime.
Tyler Tordsen President & CEO, Sioux Metro Growth Alliance
Your employees want perks. Levo has what you need. Join a co-op that works for you AND your employees.
Tyler Tordsen
Joshua Chase
THANK YOU SPONSORS! PRESENTING SPONSORS
East River Electric
Sioux Valley Energy
Southeastern Electric Cooperative
JUMPSTART SPONSOR
Northwestern Energy
LUNCH SPONSOR
American Bank & Trust
INCENTIVE MEDIATOR (KEG/APPS) SPONSORS
ISG, Inc.
Knife River
Xcel Energy
Sioux Falls Development
Foundation
PUTTING CONTEST SPONSOR
First National Bank in Sioux Falls
HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR
SDN Communications
SITE SELECTOR (HOLE) SPONSORS
Midco
HDR
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Security National Bank
South Dakota Development
Corporation
DGR Engineering
Hartford Area Development
Foundation
First PREMIER Bank
A1 Development
Sayre Associates
Summit Carbon
NAI Sioux Falls
Banner Associates
Hegg Construction
Bender Commercial
Interstate Office Products
Kwik Trip
Journey Construction
Scooters - Brandon
Flynn Wright
Flight One champions at the Gold Shovel Golf Classic were Joe Munson, Nolan Meyer, Troy Larson, and Casey Voelker.
Flight 2 champions at the Gold Shovel Golf Classic were Bruce Sparks, Eric Christiansen, Troy Peters, and Chad Ronshaugen (not pictured).
The Brandon Golf Course hosted the 10th Annual SMGA Gold Shovel Golf Class Classic.
CREATING AT THE CONFLUENCE OF DESIGN AND NATURE
Brady Aldrich is a landscape designer for ISG, an engineering and architecture firm that works in many Sioux Metro communities. He graduated from South Dakota State University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. He has 10+ years of experience ranging from conceptual development to maintaining the final design.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?
I have a passion for design and love of nature and outdoor spaces. At a young age I was fascinated with building things and learning how they were built. Naturally, I fell in love with LEGOs and the ability to build places. At first, I built the predesigned sets. As I became more experienced, I started building my own creations. Because there were no instructions or plans when building these custom places, I was left to my own imagination and figuring out things as I went. This has translated to how I approach projects today and I am fortunate to have a great team around me to collaborate with. I’m grateful that my parents encouraged my creative interests. They are my biggest supporters!
Landscape architecture is the confluence of design and nature, requiring designers to be incredibly diverse with their skills. By far the best skill I have learned is collaboration and the impact teamwork has on bringing an idea to reality. I enjoy meeting different communities and assisting in the improvement of the places they live and use.
WHAT DOES YOUR AVERAGE DAY LOOK LIKE?
An average day involves a blend of creative design work, technical analysis, client interaction, and balancing workloads. Each day varies and brings new challenges and opportunities for creativity in shaping the outdoor environment. One thing I like to work into my daily schedule is researching new places to get fresh ideas and perspectives on how different places are used.
WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB?
I like seeing an idea evolve into a finished product. Being able to see an initial sketch transform into reality is a special feeling that motivates me to want to continue to improve our communities. It’s a major win to see the places we create be loved and used by the community members.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECTS?
I’m especially proud of the Balance Bike Course at South Dakota Special Olympics in Sioux Falls. A balance bike is designed without pedals, where riders use their feet to propel them against the ground. Its main purpose is to help riders build the balance and confidence needed to handle a regular bike. When I was introduced to the project, the Special Olympics was using a temporary course in their parking lot, outlined with orange cones. This program had become increasingly popular and staff identified a piece of their property that they wanted to convert into a permanent track. After a design layout had been agreed upon, the course was constructed with new obstacles and curves. I was able to attend the first event and was blown away with everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm for the course.
TELL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT YOUR CAREER.
Parks, public spaces, residential developments, gardens, transportation facilities, trails and bike paths are all a part of landscape architecture. These amenities shape the way we live and interact with one another. Landscape architecture is an incredibly diverse profession, providing endless possible directions your career can take you with the ability to work at a multitude of scales.
Landscape architects and designers serve a vital role in the creation of strong, vibrant communities by placing emphasis on the importance of the public realm while fostering environmentally sustainable patterns and methods. Whether the context is rural or urban, landscape architects and designers are uniquely qualified to design the built environment to respond to natural processes and patterns. //
Brady Aldrich, landscape designer for ISG.
BLINDERT BUSY BUILDING UP SALEM
Glenda Blindert has lived in Salem since 1978. She and her husband, Craig, farm at Salem with their two nephews. Their son, Luke, lives on the west side of Sioux Falls, helps with the farming and also does crop insurance computer work for Blindert Insurance Agency. Glenda has operated the agency with their daughter, Bridget, since 1992. Bridget lives on the farm just outside Salem.
Glenda was asked to finish the term of the previous mayor. She agreed to the position just before the derecho hit Salem on May 12, 2022. She is an exofficio member of the Salem Economic Development Corporation and attends every meeting. “It’s important that the city and council work closely with Economic Development. I also was one of the founding members of the Salem Area Development Corporation and serve as its president.” The Salem Area Development Corporation manages the permanently endowed fund within the South Dakota Community Foundation which annually awards grants to Salem nonprofits.
She’s also active on the Salem Chamber of Commerce, where she previously served as president.
WHAT LED YOU TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP?
I feel it’s important to give back. We’ve done well with our business in Salem. I am fortunate to have a very good staff. Our daughter, Bridget, takes care of a lot of the dayto-day operation so I can work on these extra projects.
WHAT IS SALEM’S GREATEST STRENGTH?
We have a great city finance officer and city employees who are helping us navigate everything we have going on. We are still a small enough town that neighbors help neighbors. We have some key leaders who are willing to step up and help with everything.
WHAT IS SALEM’S GREATEST CHALLENGE?
The derecho of May 2022 destroyed our nursing home. Thanks to some generous businesses and individuals, Salem Economic Development was able to raise some funds to be able to
purchase that property and we are in the process of developing it for housing. The derecho also forced us to replace the city shop, which we got done with the help of the local lumberyard and contractors.
In July 2022, we had another high wind event that damaged our city armory beyond repair. The council agreed to tear it down. We are in the process of building a new community center which will also be home to the city offices.
The Economic Development Corporation is working on developing our industrial park on the west side of Salem. We’ve owned the property for several years, but are finally working on getting infrastructure in place and we’re working on attracting new industry to that area.
WHAT’S THE “NEXT BIG THING” ON THE HORIZON?
Just like many small towns, we are trying very hard to update our sewer and water mains that are very old in some areas. Unfortunately, that’s expensive, so we do a small portion each year as we can. Salem has its own wells and our own water treatment plant. We will need to update the water treatment plant sometime in the future. We also need to continue to work to help our citizens when we get large rain events. We will continue to see what we can do to mitigate damage in their homes. //
Salem Mayor Glenda Blindert.
HIGH TECH INNOVATION HIDDEN IN HUMBOLDT
By Bob Fitch
The toy models got this writer in the door. But there is a much more important story to tell than just the cool, miniature models of everything from horses and chickens to mailboxes and parking meters.
All Scale Miniatures produces scale models for timehonored American hobbies such as model railroading and model farms. Utilizing advanced technology and some of the best brains from rural South Dakota, All Scale is part of Primary Manufacturing, a powerhouse of innovation hidden in plain sight in downtown Humboldt. Primary Manufacturing specializes in additive manufacturing using 3D printing technology. The company makes specialty parts from materials such as steel, stainless steel, rigid polyurethane and rigid plastic – all on the world’s most advanced 3D printers. Additive manufacturing builds parts or objects from materials deposited, joined or solidified layer-by-layer under computer control.
“Our clientele is somebody who doesn’t want to spend $60,000 on an injection mold, mostly because they don’t want to produce a million of something. What we do is called bridge manufacturing, which comes into play when it’s more cost effective to make 1 to 1,000 items rather than manufacture 10,000 items,” said Ladd McCluskey, founder and president of Primary Manufacturing. Complex shapes that might be impossible to construct by hand can be created via 3D printing.
HIGH-TECH CAN THRIVE IN RURAL AREAS
For residents of rural communities, the most important part of this story is that advanced hightechnology businesses can thrive in a small town. Instead of exporting some of South Dakota’s brightest
minds out of state or sending technically-skilled people down the road to Sioux Falls, companies such as Primary Manufacturing provide options for the growing number of people who want the benefits of small-town living.
“People underestimate the number of really bright, intelligent people who live here. Schools in this part of the country are really amazing and producing some really, really good talent,” he said. When writing the business plan for what would become Primary Manufacturing, he thought about his own experience of leaving South Dakota for larger communities which had better career prospects. “But we came back when our kids were three and six because we wanted to raise them here.”
By starting and successfully operating Primary Manufacturing in Humboldt, McCluskey is putting a dent in the notion that small town employment prospects can only be found in a narrow scope of low-tech positions.
For example, the company’s lead engineer, Jacob Fonkert, is a native of a small South Dakota city who graduated as a mechanical engineer from S.D. School of Mines & Technology. He’s put his engineering expertise to work in a groundbreaking field in his home state rather than Silicon Valley. “Primary Manufacturing offered me the invaluable experience of getting in on the
Primary Manufacturing in Humboldt utilizes some of the most advanced 3-dimensional printers in the world to produce everything from specialized aviation parts and agricultural devices to scale models for use by model railroaders. Photos courtesy Primary Manufacturing.
Ladd McCluskey
ground floor of a new, innovative business. I’ve learned everything from design to engineering management to customer relations.”
Allison, the lead artist and designer for All Scale Miniatures, is a Dakota State University graduate who combined her love of art with an interest in computers. What she learned at DSU about 3D design, photography, digital printing and animation laid the groundwork to be a good fit for McCluskey’s team.
Finished objects include most anything under the sun: air compressors, ice machines, fire extinguishers, stacked suitcases, air conditioners, hose reels, picnic tables, elk, pallets … and the list goes on and on. Such scale objects have typically been produced by creating an expensive injection mold and produced by the thousands or millions. But All Scale Miniatures keeps a modest inventory of any one thing because it’s easy to pull up the digital model and produce five more or 500 more in a few minutes or hours.
APPLICATIONS IN AVIATION AND AGRICULTURE
McCluskey launched Primary Manufacturing about 7½ years ago in one rented room. The company added another room, then an office and another; then purchased the entire building and eventually added on to the building.
The 3D printers produce objects similar to how a CT scan views the body. A CT scanner is, in essence, taking cross-sectional images (known as “slices”) of an internal part of a human body. The slices are digitally stacked to
give doctors a detailed look at the body part. The 3D printers at Primary Manufacturing also view digitally created or designed objects as “slices” – and the objects are built slice-by-slice on the printer.
A sample of the scale models available from Primary Manufacturing / All Scale Miniatures. The 3D printing technology allows scale models to be created at tiny sizes while maintaining details.
Making small models for model railroaders is just the tip of the iceberg. Additive manufacturing is making inroads in the aviation industry because of the demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient parts which are also incredibly strong. In agriculture, McCluskey and two partners started a company called Latitude Ag to introduce the Merlin IC System. Produced using the same 3D printing technology, Merlin IC is capable of multiport-chemical injection allowing applicators and farmers to monitor multiple flow rates and precisely control the application of each chemical in every section of the boom. The product is in testing right now by Dr. Jinying Zhu in the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska.
McCluskey said his high-tech companies have old-school values: Producing the highest quality, American-made products. “Materials and machines are important, but our greatest assets are our people. We hire good people and let them do their job and have fun doing it. We have an absolutely amazing team,” he said. //
One of Primary Manufacturing’s clients does custom conversions of vehicles from gas-powered engines to EV (electric vehicles), which requires many custom parts to fit into an existing framework. The first photo shows a vehicle charger port being manufactured (via a 3D printer) and the second photo shows the finished product. Primary Manufacturing is currently doing a case study on the parts for their client.
TOUR GIVES INSIGHT INTO AREA BUSINESSES
The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance Minnehaha County Bus Tour on May 14 stopped by downtown Dell Rapids to view their new city hall and their Third Street project. The tour also included stops at both Dell Rapids L.G. Everist quarries, Hartford Wastewater Treatment plant, Black Tie Components, and Vanilla Bean King in Hartford, along with lunch updates on Colton, Crooks, and Tri-Valley School District.
WELCOME TO CANTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
Canton’s historic C.B. Kennedy mansion is home to Wathier Weddings Event Space.
$1,770,936
$1,628,137
FAMILY FRIENDLY
8 City Parks
15 Area Churches
New Canton Swimming Pool
Canton Public Library
Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center
Canton Senior Center
DESTINATIONS
Newton Hills State Park
Performing Arts Center
Hiawatha Golf Course
Chautauqua Park
Canton Car Show
Canton Civil War Days
Canton Depot & Museum
Sioux River Folk Festival
Good Earth State Park
Gate City Events & Rental House
The Canton Barn event center
Riverview Christmas Tree Farm
HOOGENDOORN CONSTRUCTION:
QUALITY, DURABILITY, HONESTY, INTEGRITY
Hoogendoorn Construction finished building an impressive new headquarters on the western fringes of Canton last year. “The new headquarters is a true testament to the company’s growth and success,” said company president Paul Maassen. The transformation reflects its advances in the past 10 years, a period when their larger projects went from the $10 million range to being in the $30-$40 million range.
• Harrisburg High School and Harrisburg Freshman Academy. Orange City High School, Orange City Area Health Center and Northwestern College.
• George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
The new HQ also serves as a showcase of where the Hoogendoorn team excels. “If we go to our employees, this is the type of building they like to build. It’s a precast and steel structure built with quality and durability, built for the long-term. The building is a statement of ‘us,’” Paul said.
“Our clients appreciate the functionality of what we build for them – and that the construction is going to hold up for a good long time,” said Rachael Maassen, Hoogendoorn’s director of human resources and public relations. Paul said, “Quality construction, honesty and integrity are things that I hear from the people we serve.”
Hoogendoorn Construction has become a familiar name because of its association with a number of high-profile projects in the Sioux Falls area, as well as projects in northwestern Iowa. The Hoogendoorn resume includes: Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center.
Sioux Falls Lutheran School.
• Canton Dental Center.
• Hegg Memorial Health in Rock Valley. Sanborn, Iowa, Water Treatment Plant. Lincoln County Courthouse, Canton.
Client endorsements tell the story best. Here’s a small sample of what their clients are saying:
“Hoogendoorn Construction, Inc.’s integrity and reputation in the region is at the highest level. We recommend them 100% as a partner for any company’s building projects.” Joel Klatt, Executive Vice President, Security Savings Bank
“Their ability to work seamlessly with our team and other stakeholders greatly contributed to the overall success of the project.” Tim Graf, Superintendent, Harrisburg School District.
“Hoogendoorn Construction has consistently met our expectations. They are a top quality contractor and their
Hoogendoorn Construction Inc. recently built a new corporate headquarters
performance has consistently proven to be worthy of my trust.” Marlin D. Overman, Vice President/CFO, DGR Engineering.
“Hoogendoorn Construction has a high degree of professionalism, quality workmanship and commitment to excellence. It is a pleasure to have been associated with them on these projects.” Jeff Kreiter, Director of Operational Services, AIA
Hoogendoorn Construction Inc. opened its doors for business in Canton, South Dakota, in 1979. Pete Hoogendoorn and Arnold Kelderman were the owners – and also the only two workers. Forty-five years later, there are approximately 55 employees being led by President Paul Maassen and Vice President Aric Kelderman. According to Maassen, “Exceptional people form an outstanding company. From the office to the job site, our loyal, hard working professional workforce makes us an industry leader in general contracting, construction management and design build in the Sioux Falls area.” Canton is centrally located for their employee base who come from many communities in southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa.
While Hoogendoorn is just outside the city limits, they’ve been appreciative of the efforts the city of Canton has made to accommodate the company.
“When we decided to build a new office, I didn’t even consider moving out of Canton. City staff and leaders have been good to work with. We were able to hook into the city sewer system. They’ve helped in any way they possibly can.”
What’s next for Hoogendoorn Construction? “We doubled in size in three years. We’ve grown a lot,” said Paul. “Now I think we’re hoping for just steady growth, no extremes.” //
The owners of Hoogendoorn Construction are Aric Kelderman and Paul Maassen.
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is one of many signature builds by Hoogendoorn Construction.
The new addition at Dell Rapids St Mary School is a Hoogendoorn project.
The addition on the north side of the historic Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton was built by Hoogendoorn Construction.
CANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
MISSION
Provide all students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to graduate from high school and successfully complete a postsecondary degree.
THE C-HAWK ADVANTAGE
The leaders of the Canton School District believe that small class size, especially at the lower elementary level, makes a difference in the quality of education provided. To reinforce student choices and behaviors through character education, concepts surrounding the following six core values are woven into instruction on a daily basis.
CHARACTER
HONOR ACHIEVEMENT WISDOM KNOWLEDGE SERVICE
WHAT SETS CANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT APART
• Focus on Character and Leadership Development; and high academic and behavioral expectations.
• Commitment to Small Class Size. Elementary classes average 21 students.
• Kinder Prep. Full-day pre-kindergarten option for 5-year olds.
• Before and After School Care: Canton Community Education offers safe, convenient, affordable daycare options for parents.
The Canton Performing Arts Center has provided a modern, professional stage for students active in the fine arts at Canton High School. Pictured is a production of Frozen and the Canton High School Band.
FLOOD CAN’T DROWN CANTON’S INDUSTRIAL AMBITIONS
Many communities were hit hard by the flooding in June. Residents in Canton were among the hardest hit in South Dakota, facing 18 inches of rain in about three days’ time. Up to three-quarters of the homes in the city were impacted, according to Canton Mayor Sandi Lundstrom.
“I understand when people felt despair at first. It was a terrible situation and overwhelming,” Lundstrom said. “But people stepped up. Neighbors were helping neighbors even if their own basements were flooded. The fire department and police department were amazing. The high school sports teams, our young people, were unbelievable volunteering in so many ways,” she said. The initial despair of residents is evolving to an attitude of resilience.
STALWARTS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Canton’s business community also demonstrated leadership and a collective can-do spirit, said Jeffery Tanner, executive director of the Canton Economic Development Corporation. “The Canton business community constantly shows leadership by supporting local charities or picking up a shovel in times of crisis.” Complementing the city’s retail core and tourism sector are veterans located in the Canton Industrial Park who are bedrock performers in the local economy.
Adams Thermal Systems is a manufacturer of engine cooling systems for off-highway and on-highway vehicles including agricultural and construction, military, hydraulics, on-highway trucks and diesel engines, as well as automotive and electric vehicle applications. Adams now has more than 400 employees and has expanded to seven branches world-wide.
Advanced Ag Products is tackling the rising demand for science-fueled, all-natural livestock feed additives for cattle, swine and poultry producers. The company expanded its team and production base, plus is generating new innovations and broadening availability of its signature By-O-reg+ product. Advanced Ag Products solutions include versions that meet organic certification standards.
Decker Equipment & Rentals is the newest addition to the industrial park (see related story on page 22).
Omega Liner Company provides premium UV pipe liners along with proprietary equipment, liner handling
tools and processes that optimize efficiencies during liner installation. Founded by culvert restoration industry veterans, Omega provides ready access to reliable materials and faster lead times. The company designs and manufactures ultraviolet cured-in-place (UV CIPP) liners for construction projects. Omega uses U.S.produced raw materials and ships products across North America and the Caribbean.
Johnson Feed Inc. is family-owned for nearly 100 years. JFI provides refrigerated and van service to truckload customers out of the Midwest. The company operates full-service shops and wash bay facilities in Sioux Falls, Canton, Vermillion, and North Sioux City, plus Waterloo, Iowa. JFI is a wholesale distributor of products such as wholesale salt, twine, and pet products.
SAB Bio-Therapeutics does advanced research on cloned cattle with a goal of producing antibodies to protect human health. Cattle injected with a vaccine produce antibodies to fight disease. The antibodies could be used in humans to battle some of the worst diseases, including Ebola and Zika. The 80-acre site has the potential to expand to house 400 animals.
Terex-Bidwell equipment provides for resource efficiency, work simplification, safety, environmental protection, and asset utilization. Equipment includes elevated work platforms, telehandlers, pick and carry cranes and crushing and screening equipment, concrete mixer trucks and concrete roller pavers. The machinery is utilized on projects such as bridge and flatwork paver, work bridges, texture/curing machines, highway/airport pavers and canal pavers. //
Johnson Feed Inc. is expanding in the Canton Industrial Park, adding new corporate offices at its headquarters. Hoogendoorn Construction is building the offices.
DAKOTA STEEL & TRIM: ULTRA-RESPONSIVE AND ULTRA-FAST
By Bob Fitch
The construction industry in the Upper Midwest has been able to count on Dakota Steel & Trim for top-tier steel manufacturing solutions delivered swiftly for many years. Being a familyowned and operated company allows the Leonard Decker family to be ultra-responsive to the needs of their customers and the marketplace.
“I think that’s one of our strengths. We don’t need to go to a big corporate office to make a change in customer service. We can get together and in two minutes here make a decision,” said Adam Decker, a second-generation leader in the company, which is located south of Canton.
customers in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. All four sons are partners in Dakota Steel, although Kevin and Luke are managing new businesses (see sidebar story).
Dakota Steel & Trim manufactures and sells an extensive range of steel paneling, roofing and custom trim. Steel finishing materials are known for longevity and low maintenance. The company also stocks a plethora of hardware and accessories for their customers’ convenience. Dakota Steel has the capability to deliver custom orders straight to a job site within a designated radius in just 48 hours.
In the late 1980s, Leonard left the Hutterite Colony where he was born and raised. “I was 26 years old. My first trade, I was a hog manager by Hudson. I raised pigs on a contract for a farmer till the price dropped to eight cents (per pound). Then I started doing construction work and it slowly led to manufacturing.” He and his four sons –Leonard Jr., Adam, Kevin and Luke – operated Leonard and Sons Construction, a roofing contractor serving
FROM ROOFERS TO MANUFACTURERS
Adam remembered the transition from roofing contractor to manufacturer. “We started roofing a lot of hip barns and round barns; and we were beginning to use a lot more steel. One day, Dad had an idea: ‘Why don’t we quit climbing ropes and start making the steel? Then we’ll be selling it to the people who climb ropes.’”
Dakota Steel & Trim was the first steel panel roofing manufacturer based in South Dakota. Leonard said, “We started in a 100 x 100-foot Quonset down here by the farm. The timing was right. We were the only one in about a 500-mile radius. We were very, very busy.” There was a boom in hog building construction at the time, plus favorable depreciation policies for farmers helped
Leonard and Adam Decker and Devin Howard at Dakota Steel & Tile Inc., located south of Canton.
spur demand. The family has now expanded their facilities six times.
Starting out, the company was family, top to bottom. “Everybody was involved. One of the brothers was taking orders, one was rolling panels, one was bending trim and everybody was driving a truck,” said Devin Howard, vice president of operations, who joined the company five years ago. “It was a lean manufacturing group … and they all had the same last name.”
Today, the company’s footprint extends across the Upper Midwest. In 2020, Dakota Steel purchased a manufacturing facility in Freeport, Minnesota, solidifying their ability to deliver product within 24 hours to customers in northern Minnesota and North Dakota.
Dakota Steel’s customer base has diversified beyond just agriculture to include commercial and residential construction. Adam said, “People building houses or businesses want fancier textured steel today. The market is changing fast. Everybody wants something different that nobody else has.” Twenty years ago, there were seven colors and lumber yards basically stocked 20foot sheets of steel. Today there’s too many colors and methods of customization to count.
Dakota Steel doesn’t compromise on its fast service and customer service promises. “Speed-to-market is how we beat competitors 20 times our size. We try to stay nimble. We don’t ever say no. That’s what makes us popular,” Devin said. To ensure adequate inventory to keep their fast delivery promise, the company added a third site exclusively for storage and, Adam added: “We have a lot of equipment – delivery equipment, forklifts, trucks, trailers – whatever it takes to get it to the customer as fast as possible.”
FIERCE COMPETITION
There is more competition in the market than ever before. “It’s pretty fierce sometimes,” Adam said. Devin continued, “It’s fairly easy to get into this industry, but it’s hard to be successful. So you see a lot of a lot of competition that just kind of pops up and then fades out.”
One method the company is expecting a high return on is more personnel devoted to estimating and detailing. The default in the construction industry is often towards using materials that are easy to sell and easy to buy. That’s becoming more true because of the diminishing experience level of employees at lumber yards. For example, buying traditional tar shingles is easy because
a contractor can go buy another bundle if he comes up short; or return a bundle if he buys too many. Since steel roofing, siding and trim materials don’t fit into those easy parameters, Dakota Steel’s enhanced estimating/ detailing department will help contractors by creating detailed cut lists for their projects.
FLEXIBILITY AND A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE
Starting from the father and four sons, Dakota Steel & Trim and its subsidiary enterprises now count 99 employees on the payroll. Like most companies, getting and keeping quality employees is their biggest struggle. In addition to competitive wages and benefits, the company strives for flexibility. According to Devin, “Nothing we do here is impossible. Some days it’s just really hard. First rule, you’ve got to show up. If you don’t show up, it doesn’t matter how good you are. We’ll do our best to move people around the facility to find where they fit, because not everybody is a trim bender, not everybody’s a truck loader or a forklift driver. But we’ll do our best to train them.”
Attitudes and actions at present are more important than missteps in the past. “There are mistakes people can make that might ruin their entire life. If you were 16 and got busted for drinking and driving and ran over somebody’s mailbox, but you’re 32 now and those past mistakes are preventing you from getting a good job, I don’t like that,” said Devin. Over the years, Leonard has hired a half dozen or more individuals who have had to regularly report to a parole officer. But second chances in life are on the table at Dakota Steel, provided a person is ready for steady, hard work.. //
DECKER EQUIPMENT & RENTALS ADDED TO INDUSTRIAL PARK
The newest addition to the Canton Industrial Park is Decker Equipment & Rentals, which specializes in the repair and rentals of heavy equipment and machinery. Decker Equipment’s new 33,600-square-foot facility is finished with distinctive steel paneling, roofing and custom trim produced by the Decker family’s long-time business, Dakota Steel & Trim.
Co-owner Kevin Decker said the business is expected to ultimately employ 10-20 people. It will serve several facets of the marketplace including service and maintenance of large and small equipment. Decker is also building a fleet of heavy equipment and machinery to fill a need for the growing demand in both the commercial and residential rental market. In addition, the company invested in a frame machine to provide alignment and frame straightening for semis and other heavy equipment.
Local growth by companies such as Johnson Feed Inc. and the housing development planned for the east side of Canton is also likely to drive demand, said Kevin, whose business partner is his father, Leonard.
On the east end of the new facility, his brother Luke is planning to start another Decker family business. Stateside Trailer Sales. Stateside will trailers of many types, including flatbed, dump and enclosed. Eventually, it will be housed in its own facility. //
Stocking a vast inventory of steel panels and trim allows Dakota Steel to swiftly deliver materials to contractors in the Upper Midwest.
Adam and Luke Decker. Adam operates the new Decker Equipment & Rentals. Luke is planning to start a new Decker family business called Stateside Trailer Sales.
SIDE-BY-SIDE IN THE SIOUX METRO
$73,385
$1,318,392
$330,167
$64,620
$49,750
$96,598
$420,035
$151,062
$732,018
$391,389
$74,851
$273,625 $159,223
$100,271
$1,363,497
$354,157
$89,465
$54,949
$82,010
$423,229
$144,202
$777,189
$429,393
$68,530
$255,512
$154,519
$1,054,730
$57,371
$48,428
$5,457,452
SIDE-BY-SIDE IN THE SIOUX METRO
$235,796.00
$14,134,765.00
$746,880.00
$705,157.00
$138,040.00
$1,159,320.00
$3,143,343.75
$93,100.00
$13,850,261.00
$936,270.00
$1,686,720.00
$15,285,333.58
$4,999,714.00
$6,158,561.00
$121,404.00
$63,158,869.33
$199,494.00
$7,926,555.00
$159,549.00
$116,157.00
$1,407,000.00
$2,077,164.00
$347,270.00
$1,686,720.00
$15,096,995.00
$4,889,000.00
$2,421,383.00
$36,327,287.00
$36,302.00
$6,208,210.00
$587,330.91
$589,000.00
$138,040.00
$1,159,320.00
$1,736,343.75
$93,100.00
$5,185,457.00
589,000.00
$188,338.58
Let’s go beyond.
No matter where you want to go or what you want to achieve, we’re excited to be the trusted provider that’ll help you get there.
