About Us

About Us

Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc. has been serving America's farm operations since 1948. We began with the manufacture and marketing of dual and triple wheel systems and components. The impact of this innovation is evident today on over 90% of North American farms and since expanded into the world market.

Co-founders Lawerence and Richard Unverferth

1938

Co-founders L.G.(Lawrence) and Richard Unverferth often looked for ways to make their own and their Kalida, Ohio neighbors' farming operations more efficient. In this picture from 1938, Richard (seated) is working on one of their first innovations to mechanize the thinning of sugar beets. The beet blocker was one of their first forays into farm equipment before the official founding of the company.
Inside Original Unverferth Manufacturing Shop on Road 18

1948

Shortly after graduating high school, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in submarine service until 1947. After the end of World War II, jobs were scarce with the return of all the servicemen. Richard and his father, L.G., armed with their passion for farming and helping other farmers, began making tractor step plates and control levers in the family barn. The two, along with other family members, would make as many tools as they had materials, and load them into the trunk of Richard's car. Richard would then traverse across the countryside promoting and selling these goods. On his return trip to Kalida, he purchased raw materials to manufacture the next batch with the proceeds from the sales. Thus, in 1948, the foundation for Unverferth Manufacturing was firmly laid.
Unverferth Establishes Dual Wheel Manufacturing for Farm Vehicles

1950s

In the early 1950s, the resourceful Unverferth duo invented and began producing dual wheels for farm tractors. A small machine shop was built and the business was now firmly established. The network of dealers grew, as did sales.
Construction and Establishing Kalida Ohio as Unverferths Corporate Headquarters

1964

In 1964, after using several rented spaces for warehousing and production, building commenced at the present Kalida, Ohio site to combine offices, production and warehouse space. The company continued to focus on dual and custom-built agricultural wheels throughout the decade, and added running gear in the mid 60s. The passion of the Unverferth family for developing and introducing new products to the marketplace led to the addition of the Hammer and Gump wheel line in 1965.
McCurdy Aquisition Expands Unverferths Product Offerings

1972

The Unverferth product line expanded in the 1970s to include Unverferth McCurdy gravity boxes, farm wagons, grain and bale elevators and refuse containers.
Unverferth Enters the Tillage Market with the Popular Products like the Culti-Planter

1979

The tillage lineup of products began in 1979 with the acquisition of Grover Manufacturing. This product lineup featured the popular Harogator spike-tooth tillage tool. Products such as the Culti-Planter field cultivator and Unverferth Grain Carts all premiered during the 80s. Wheels have always been at the heart of the company and the 1980s were no exception with the introduction of high-clearance narrow wheel conversions.
Rolling Harrow Soil Conditioner Introduced and Quickly Gained Reputation for its Reliability

1984

1984 brought the introduction of the Rolling Harrow soil conditioner to the Unverferth lineup of branded products. This innovative product quickly gained a reputation as being the most reliable and effective soil conditioner on the market for one-pass seedbed preparation and is still a prominent product today.
Brent Manufacturing Facility 1988

1988

In 1988, Unverferth expanded manufacturing westward with the purchase of Brent Industries which has become a major facility producing Unverferth branded products amongst others.
Killbros Manufacturing Facility 1993

1993

In 1993, the Unverferth family acquired the Killbros Company from the Kill family in Delphos, OH. This facility today produces a wide range of products, including the innovative Unverferth Seed Runner and Seed Pro seed tenders.
Zone-Builder along with many other tillage additions and innovations

1990s

Reduced tillage practices gained ground during the 1990s and Unverferth led these new practices with innovative Zone-Tillage products, Zone-Builder subsoiler, drill fills for no-till drills, and a no-till version of its popular Culti-Planter, just to name a few.
Seed Runner Bulk Tender Premieres at National Farm Machinery Show

2006

As the new millennia began, bulk seed was becoming more popular. Seeing a need to gently handle this bulk seed more safely and efficiently, the Seed Runner bulk tender was born and introduced in 2006. Its revolutionary self-filling conveyor design has earned several patents through the years. 2010 Seed Pro bulk box tender.
XTREME Grain Cart at Farm Progress Show

2010

In 2010, Unverferth introduced the Xtreme front-folding single-auger grain cart with a patented u-joint auger that maximized auger side-reach and height in a front-folding single-auger design. The Equalizer tracked undercarriage was also introduced that pivots front to rear and side to side for maximizing ground contact and flotation across the field.
NutriMAX liquid fertilizer applicator at National Farm Machinery Show

2015

The middle part of the decade brought the debut of the NutriMax liquid fertilizer applicator, which was built specifically for large farming operations that wanted to take control of the fertilizer application programs. The NutriMax featured a heavy-duty coulter design and a narrow transport width for easy movement from field-to-field.
Pro-Force Dry Fertilizer Spreader at National Farm Machinery Show

2020s

With the success of the NutriMax applicator in the marketplace, Unverferth expanded further into fertilizer equipment with the purchase of Pro-Force dry spreaders and introduction of the Renegade NH3 applicator. Building upon our strong tillage heritage and experience, the Raptor strip-till tool debuted in 2021.
Unverferth Mfg celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2023

Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. celebrates 75 years of business. Continuing our committment to maintaining a family-owned atmosphere and promoting innovative agricultural equipment to help our farming neighbors be more efficient.

75th Anniversary Website
Kalida Manufacturing Facility Today

TheFuture

From the innovative beginnings in a small farm shed, to the current-day, state-of-the-art production facilities, Unverferth Manufacturing is poised to continue growing. We look to the future and continue building upon our co-founders’ sound philosophy of manufacturing and marketing innovative products to help our farming “neighbors” be as efficient as possible. The Unverferth lineup of branded products focuses on serving a wide range of farming operations all over the world and includes products such as grain carts and wagons, fertilizer application equipment, header transports, seed tenders, tillage equipment and agricultural dual and replacement wheel systems