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.”

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

“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

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.” for stalwarts in the industry. “There’s innovation on the horizon in the upcoming year and the one following that,” Berg says. “We are in the process of rolling out new offerings,” he adds cryptically, with perhaps a degree of excitement in his voice. Berg shared, expanding on the company’s longterm vision, “The roadmap for the next three to five years revolves around solidifying our foundation, aiming for significant recognition in the farm equipment domain.” His sentiments reflect a deeprooted commitment to sustain and enhance the company’s legacy in the industry. The overarching goal for Berg, however, is simple. “My job is to make sure everybody is happy, work on the business and to ensure it runs smoothly,” he says.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Despite the fact solid growth and expansion have ultimately always outpaced any downturns, the Mandako team remains humble and grateful for their success. “We praise God for carrying us through the hard times and guiding us through the good times,” says President and Founder John Redekop. A humble man, Redekop believes success is a blessing for which he is extremely thankful.

Navigating the complexities of modern marketing

In today’s digital age, another challenge the company grapples with is the plethora of advertising platforms available. “With so many avenues to showcase our product,” says Berg, “it becomes increasingly challenging to decipher the best strategy to present our offerings to the customers effectively.” The evolving landscape of digital marketing presents opportunities and hurdles as businesses like Mandako strive to stay ahead in the game.

In today’s competitive business landscape, a company’s marketing strategy can profoundly influence its success. At Mandako, the journey has been marked by exploration and learning.

“We’ve dabbled in third-party marketing solutions, believing in promises that sometimes didn’t deliver, so we pivoted towards hiring in-house marketing talent,” shared Berg.

Unveiling more innovation in farm equipment

In the ever-evolving world of business, anticipating new product launches can be thrilling, particularly

The significance of AMC membership

Companies often align themselves with associations to bolster their credibility, network, and gain industry-specific insights.

Berg, having been at the helm of Mandako for almost a decade, confessed to an initial lack of awareness about their longstanding membership with AMC. “To be honest, I wasn’t even aware of our membership until I joined the team,” Berg admitted, pointing out that Redekop had always prioritized this alliance. So why this undeterred loyalty to AMC? As Redekop had once elucidated to Berg, “It offers us exposure in avenues we might never have trodden on our own.”

Berg’s understanding of the value of the AMC membership crystalized when he recently attended an AMC meeting in London, Ontario, earlier in the year. He remarked, “It’s more than just a membership. If we are ever in a tight spot or seeking counsel, knowing there’s an entire organization to lean on for advice and ideas is reassuring.”

Being an AMC member is about belonging to a community that lends support, offers insights, and continually adds value, sometimes in the most unexpected ways, Berg says.

A legacy to build upon

When talking about Mandako, the legacy of John Redekop is referenced often. In the final stretch of our conversation, Berg’s emphasis was clear: Quality, integrity, and a commitment to values are what Mandako stands for and has made them successful.

“We could charge more,” Berg said, “but our mission is to craft products of undeniable quality; products that are robust and enduring.” He adds that it was never about quick profits for Mandako; the company’s success lies in delivering genuine value.

“We want to operate with unshakeable integrity,” Berg continued. “It’s about retiring to bed each night, knowing we’ve conducted our business correctly. It’s about a good conscience.”

As Berg spoke of the man who established the company and continues to serve as its moral compass, he reflected on the earlier days. “John wasn’t just about business,” mused Berg, “He was eager to provide for his family. For me, he epitomizes the very idea of a role model.”

As we wrapped up our discussion, one sentiment echoed powerfully: Mandako isn’t merely a business; it’s a legacy, a legacy that John Redekop, Berg and the entire team are committed to carrying forward for another 35 years.