Celebrating a quarter Century of service
to area farmers...
Growth, change highlight West Point
Implement's first 25 years
|

(WPI's location on Main
Street in the mid-'70's) |
As we approach the 25th
anniversary of West Point Implement Inc. and the fifth
anniversary of West Point Design Inc., it's a good time
for reflection. This special edition will give you a
look back at our beginnings, will introduce you to our
West Point Implement and West Point Design family, and
will give you an up-close look at the products and
services we offer you. |
First, a look back:
West Point Implement Inc.
In the 1930's, Feyerherm and Washburn had a McCormick-Deering
dealership in West Point. McCormick-Deering later became
International Harvester. In 1945, the business became Vincent
Adams Implement. Equipment was two-row, and some horse
machinery was still used by area farmers.
Upon Adams's retirement in 1967, the Francis Sand-Red
Hucka partnership began. At this time, the business was
located in a historic former dance hall called the "Del Rio,"
located where the West Point city offices now stand on south
Main Street. The shop was a lean-to with minimal room for
three mechanics. IH and Amana freezers and Maytag washers were
sideline sales. International Harvester was franchiser for
both farm equipment and trucks, including pickups.
In 1973, Hucka left the business and Bud Ternus became a
partner. In that same year, Ervin Eisenmenger came to West
Point as manager and partner with Francis Sand and Bud Ternus.
The business became West Point Implement. A large shop was
added at the downtown location in 1974. A business systems
computer and electronic parts system called SPIM
aided parts tracking and ordering. Inventories
increased and the sales area expanded.
In 1979, West Point Implement moved to a large, efficient
new building south of town on a 20-acre site on Highway #275.
In the 1980's, there was much consolidation of farms and
equipment dealers. During this time, 26% of farm equipment
dealers closed nationally. West Point Implement's area of
responsibility now grew to a 40-mile radius.
During the 1980's, many changes took place at West Point
Implement. In 1984, computers were introduced to West Point
Implement. In 1985, J.I. Case Company purchased the ag portion
of International Harvester. International trucks became
Navistar International.
In 1990, the acquisition of Missouri Valley Implement in
Missouri Valley, Iowa helped to expand the geographic market
area. In 1993, Ervin and Elaine Eisenmenger became sole owners
of West Point Implement, having bought out Francis Sand.
Looking back over the past decades, many innovations have
been introduced in ag machinery. Highlights include the air
planter in 1971 and the axial flow combine in 1977. Global
positioning systems tied in with advance farming systems
arrived in 1996.
As we move into the next millennium, it is the intent of
the West Point Implement team to stay alert to change, and to
lead the way for our employees and our customers toward being
the best in the business of production agriculture. Our
mission is to provide quality parts and service support for
our customers and their ag equipment.
West Point Design Inc.
West Point Design Inc. is a
manufacturing company operating at the same location as West
Point Implement since 1994.
Because of a limitation in function of available current
manure spreaders, West Point Design came into being to satisfy
this market with its Spread-All pull-type and truck-mounted
spreaders. It has since expanded with additional products
including:
- Haul-All (quick unload semi
trailer)
- Grand Stand (post hole digger
stand)
- Great Divide (livestock
windbreak and divide fence system)
These products are built
utilizing mostly recycled materials. Design product owners may
now be found from North Dakota throughout the Midwest to New
Mexico. A new building was erected in 1994, and a
31,500-square foot expansion is now being completed.
The mission of West Point Design Inc. is to take existing
technology and apply it in new ways. We utilize existing
tractor components, truck components, plastic, tires, etc.,
and remanufacture them into new design applications to further
utilize the initial energy expended to make these components.
Several new products are scheduled for release in the
coming two years. These products are designed from the
customer's point of view.
Our philosophy is to help the customer be profitable and,
in doing so, to earn his or her respect and business. |