FOUNDING MEMBER
Ray Malinowski &
A Unique Perspective on 50 Years of Ag Manufacturing By Lee Griffi The foundation of Leon Mfg. Company Inc. serving the agricultural sector began in 1937 when Stanley Malinowski opened his repair and blacksmith business in Bankend, Saskatchewan. Serving farm customers was the business and the culture the family grew up in. Stanley sent his son Leon to diesel mechanic and welding school and while working with his father, 16
Leon took over his dad’s business in 1952. Changes to farming practices meant the services that Leon provided his customers also evolved. It was also the beginning of designing and fabricating new products to offer his farm customers. The LEON Dozer Blade unit, unique in patented features, became extremely popular in the agricultural community. The blade slowly changed the business from a welding and repair shop into a manufacturing operation, where the emphasis was on providing good service to the expanding farmer customer base.
location at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where more people and services were available. Growth continued, requiring numerous expansions over the years. In 1973 an associate company, RAM Industries, was started with a new building and operations team. Since approximately 2010, a third generation of the Malinowski family (John Malinowski, president of Leon Mfg. Company Inc.; David Malinowski, materials management; Carla Lammers, president of RAM; Linda Turta, CEO) control and manage the companies. Confident that the business growth will continue, both Leon Mfg. Company Inc. and RAM Industries are completing new facility expansions that are expected to conclude in early 2021.
In 1967 Leon’s brother, Ray, joined the company to concentrate on administration and sales. The company built a new factory in their current
Ray Malinowski was interviewed for this story to provide his unique perspective on how the business has changed over the past five decades.
Leon obtained his diesel mechanic’s certificate and attained his journeyman status as a welder.
Implement Success | Winter 2020-2021 | 50th Anniversary Edition
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