Mandako: Celebrating
35
Years of Agricultural Excellence
By Karen Sample and Sandeep Parmar
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Mandako stands as a pillar in the agricultural machinery domain. Waldemar Berg, the General Manager, reflected, “While I might not recall the exact date, the ethos and dedication that has propelled us forward remain vivid.”
Sometimes, a good sailor must weather a few storms to gain experience. The company’s strong foundation can be attributed to the vision of John Redekop, the president and founder. Initiating the venture in 1988, Redekop’s primary motivation was to provide for his family. He began by assisting farmers with welding tasks and minor repairs. Observing a market opportunity, he pondered the possibility of creating and selling his own product. This entrepreneurial spark eventually led to the growth of the company and the variety of agricultural land rollers and vertical tillage equipment they market today. One of the early successful products that Redekop introduced was field markers. “John didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel with the field markers, but he undoubtedly enhanced it,” says Berg. “Although other companies had similar products, John’s design was distinctively superior and well received by the farming community.” Eventually, Redekop sold the patent for this marker, but his innovation didn’t stop there. He went on to design swaths, chassis riggers, and, most notably, aftermarket three-point hitches. 18
Implement Success | Fall/Winter 2023
As Berg recalls, it was in the late nineties and early 2000s that Redekop developed the first land roller for Mandako, which became a staple product for the company for over two decades. Mandako is a company born out of necessity, driven by innovation, and sustained through commitment to quality and the agricultural community.
From humble beginnings to agricultural titan The journey of Mandako, like many success stories, is marked by distinct phases of growth and expansion. In the company’s early days, John Redekop shouldered multiple responsibilities — from sales and development to attending calls and managing orders. It was a period of multitasking, intense dedication, and undivided focus on the company’s progress. When asked about pivotal moments in the company’s trajectory, Berg points to the early 2000s. He joined the team in 2003 and clearly recalls Redekop’s purchase of a plasma table that same year and how instrumental it was for the company. With his industry experience, Berg was adeptly positioned to assist Redekop in capitalizing on the potential of this leading-edge addition. The plasma table helped them expand the company’s production capacity for their renowned roller. Post-2006 marked a period of acceleration for Mandako. The business began to flourish both in terms of infrastructure and market presence. Every year, new buildings were added, symbolizing the company’s physical expansion as the company’s sales and market exposure burgeoned.
“When I joined, our team was comprised of roughly six to eight members, including John, a few welders, and assembly staff,” Berg says. The company’s workforce has seen a meteoric rise in the years since, reaching 95. Such exponential growth isn’t just a testament to Mandako’s commitment to quality and innovation but also to the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence embodied by its team members.
Overcoming obstacles: Market uncertainties Every enterprise, irrespective of its scale, encounters periods of challenge and uncertainty. For Mandako, some of these hurdles have been perplexing, mainly when the hard work put into the product didn’t result in sales numbers. “There were years when sales just didn’t materialize despite all our efforts. Such times made us doubt and question our product and approach,” Berg says.
There’s an entire organization to lean on for advice and ideas. Coupled with previous years of success, this made such dips even harder to understand. But these challenging periods are not just about downturns; they are learning experiences, Berg points out. “It was a school we had to go through. Sometimes, a good sailor must weather a few storms to gain experience.” This sentiment particularly resonated with the company’s founder. Facing these market uncertainties and steering through them has been an invaluable lesson for the team, an experience that will continue to shape their future strategies. www.a-m-c.ca
