www.spudnik.com

SPUDNIK Equipment Company

Established in 1958, the same year the Russian satellite 'Sputnik' was launched into space, SPUDNIK Equipment Company launched itself into the potato equipment manufacturing business. It started in a potato cellar northwest of Blackfoot, Id. (the potato capital of the world), by a group of men with the idea that loading potatoes should be less back breaking than the method they were using. Thus the first SPUDNIK scooper was born. Carl Hobbs and his brother Leo Hobbs were the founders of SPUDNIK Equipment Company.

From it's humble beginnings in a potato cellar in 1958, SPUDNIK has grown to become a multi-million dollar business with 5 locations throughout the West and dealers all over the nation, a fact that still amazes Carl. SPUDNIK equipment can be found all over the world. Machinery has been shipped from Canada to New Zealand and from China to Saudi Arabia. Customers all over the world have been pleased with the performance and the low maintenance of the machinery.

1958: SPUDNIK is founded by Carl and Theo Hobbs.

1958: SPUDNIK designs and manufactures the first bin piler.

1959: The company designs and successfully introduces the scooper for loading out of storage.

1960: SPUDNIK moves to its location in Blackfoot, Idaho, where it stayed until 2002.

1961: The company opens its first sales and service center in Burley, Idaho.

1967: A second sales and service center owned by Spudnik is opened in Warden, Washington.

1970: SPUDNIK extends its network of company stores by adding a new location in Hermiston, Oregon.

1987: SPUDNIK is again taking a leading role in the industry by implementing 3-D CAD. The company is the first manufacturer of potato equipment utilizing this technology.

1992: Introduction of a company wide PPS system with online connections to the company stores.

1998: Presentation of the SPUDNIK field equipment line including 2-, 3- and 4-row harvesters as well as 4-row windrowers. Within three years SPUDNIK will become the market leader for field equipment in North America.

1998: Grand opening of a new 60,000 sq.ft. facility for field equipment production.

2000: SPUDNIK enters the planter market. The company offers a range of 4, 6, and 8-row planters. By developing a cup planter SPUDNIK follows an obvious market trend that clearly indicates declining demand for pick planters.

2001: Extensive market expansion to the eastern United States and Canada by adding a number of new dealerships in this area.

2001: Introduction of superior cleaning technology for field equipment as well as stationary units by adding the patented Multi-Sep separator, the RollaStar as well as the all new M-Table to the wide range of options.

2002: Grand opening of a new 52,500 sq.ft. fabrication facility on Pioneer Road.

2002: Introduction of laser technology as well as state-of-the-art bending machinery and new paint equipment to the manufacturing process. The new facility is one of the most modern manufacturing facilities in the agricultural equipment market.

2003: SPUDNIK enters the market for cultivators by introducing the 9000 series hiller-diker combination.

2003: Construction of a new 14,400 sq.ft. office facility.

2003: After several years of construction and planning all departments move to the completed facility on Pioneer Road in Blackfoot, Idaho. At this point SPUDNIK employs around 220 people and is by far the largest manufacturer of potato equipment in North America.

2004: The market introduction of the 6140 series windrower. This machine offers the highest performance characteristics of any windrowers in the market.

2004: Due to changing market requirements, SPUDNIK launches the 780 bin piler series. These machines are able to handle volumes in exsess of 460 t/h and are the most powerful and versatile bin pilers ever built.

2004: The next generation of SPUDNIK’s successful 6000 series harvesters hits the spud fields. SPUDNIK’s harvesters are known in the industry for lowest drops and best bruise factors.