Written by Gregg Wartgow, Special to AEM —
As a small-town manufacturer whose products go into big equipment in some of the biggest industries, Kondex Corp., an AEM member company, has always believed there is value in supporting the people who support us. I did. That’s why association sponsorship has been a cornerstone of the company’s community outreach efforts for more than 20 years.
Kondex, based in Lomira, Wis., a town of about 2,700 people, is a manufacturer of cut- and wear-resistant components for agricultural, construction and turf equipment. The company’s products are used by many of the leading manufacturers of heavy equipment in the agricultural industry, including Case IH, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson.
Agriculture happens to be Kondex’s largest business segment. It’s no surprise, then, that some of the company’s most enduring sponsorships are with agricultural organizations.
AEM Manufacturing Express is the largest public engagement in the association’s 130-year history and is proud to be at Condex on Friday, October 11th. For more information and to follow the tour, visit Manufacturingexpress.org.
One such organization is the National FFA Organization, a student organization for young people interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA has evolved over time and is no longer just for kids interested in agriculture. The organization also promotes industry-related careers in chemistry, biology, veterinary medicine, engineering, and more.
Kondex has supported the Mayville FFA Alumni Association for more than 25 years by making an annual gift to the student scholarship program. The city of Mayville is approximately 10 miles from Lomira, so it makes sense to support the Mayville branch. Additionally, Condex Marketing Manager Diane Riley said the company has regularly donated money to other local FFA chapters over the years.
In recent years, we have added our own FFA sponsorship. Starting in 2020, Condex is donating a KX7 Concave to the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters Association. The concave will then be auctioned by the association. All proceeds are kept by the association and support grants, scholarships, and leadership training initiatives throughout the Wisconsin FFA network.
The auction is being managed online and is attracting attention in multiple states. The 2021 winner was actually a grower from Indiana.
“The gentleman was actually passing through our area and stopped by our facility to pick up a dent,” Riley said. “We asked him how he heard about the auction. He said he searched for our products online and stumbled upon the auction website. There he placed a bid. I decided.”
“We want people to hear about Kondex and see first-hand the kinds of products we make. That’s why we always have a welcoming open-door policy for bringing talent into the agricultural industry. This is the largest segment of our business and provides a lot of value to us and our customers, so it’s important that we get back to ourselves.” — Diane Riley, Kondex.
The concave surface, which is part of the combine’s internal structure, is one of the two main components in threshing grain from plant material (the rotor is the other). A concave opening allows the grain to pass through the washing sieve, and the remaining material moves from the rotor to the rear of the machine, where it is chopped and returned to the ground.
“Our concave is one of the most unique and expensive items the association auctions,” said Andy Theisen, senior applications engineer at Kondex. “It is good for an association to have a single item that can generate a higher amount of money.As a sponsor, it is our responsibility to help the association generate the right amount of funds so that it can continue its activities. ” Theisen himself is a member of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters Association.
Kondex has typically contributed a more traditional corn and soybean configuration to either a Case or John Deere combine, as most producers in the region use one of these two brands. . Still, Riley said it’s important to make sure the winning bidder is set up to be successful with the new concave.
“For example, if that grower also grows wheat, they will need additional equipment that is not included in the donation,” Riley said. “We want to discuss all of that with the winning bidder and find out what they can get.”
“We want to make sure they are the correct configuration and that the concave is installed correctly,” Theisen added. “We also want to make sure we answer all of their questions so that we can get the best performance out of the new concave for their specific needs. We will deliver it ourselves and help you install it.”
Condex’s Concave gift helped distinguish the company as a Living to Serve sponsor, a permanent sponsorship program of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters Association that is integral to the organization’s overall fundraising efforts. Additionally, Kondex continues to support FFA in other ways. The company had a booth promoting Kondex careers at the 2023 state FFA convention. Condex also offered the use of its facilities for FFA Alumni Association meetings.
“We want people to hear about Kondex and see firsthand the types of products we make,” Riley said. “That is why we have always had a welcoming open-door policy to bring in talent to the agricultural industry. It is our largest segment of business and provides a lot of value to us and our customers. So it’s important to get yourself back.”
Another organization that Kondex supports is the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). While FFA fosters connections with lower-level students in grades 5-12, ASABE is a professional-level organization that also serves as a conduit to undergraduate students through the Student Engineering Department.
“We are involved with ASABE for many reasons, primarily because ASABE is the arm of standardization work that is done based on the types of products we manufacture,” explains Theisen. I did. “In addition, there are many events promoted by ASABE to encourage college students to join organizations and prepare to work in industry. We have supported many of these initiatives over the years. ”
Perhaps the most interesting event is the ASABE International Quarter Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. Kondex has been a regular sponsor for the past several years, including this year. The company’s monetary donation supports the annual competition, from the materials and components needed by the student teams to the organization of the event itself, which is typically held the weekend following Memorial Day in Peoria, Illinois. It helps to do.
The competition takes place at the school level. Each student team will be provided with an engine and tires. From there, you’ll need to design and build a mini tractor, but you’ll need to raise the funds yourself to get the materials needed to bring your concept to life. Each tractor is rated based on several criteria, including durability, maneuverability, and distance it can tow. North Carolina State University won this year’s tournament.
In addition to the financial contribution from Kondex, Theisen has served in various roles on the review committee since 2013. Additionally, Kondex’s support of ASABE extends beyond tractor competitions. The company also sponsors the Annual Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC), held each February. Donations from companies like Kondex help cover registration fees and allow students from all over the country to attend the conference.
“We always get a lot of thank you letters after the event,” Riley said. “You don’t even know who the students are until you meet them at the event itself. It’s always nice to see how responsible these students are and how grateful they are for the opportunity to participate in the conference. That’s it.”
Riley and Theisen agree that it’s difficult to say whether Condex’s sponsorship directly led to the hiring of new employees. But it’s clear that sponsorship helps us expand our network of people who know what Kondex is and what the company is all about.
Local public outreach also helps grow its network. Investments in manufacturing education in Lomira and the surrounding region are helping to secure a stable workforce for the future.
“We have made significant contributions to helping high school technical education departments understand modern manufacturing practices,” Riley noted. “We’ve installed new equipment, lighting and welding machines in several area high schools. This modernization is helping to attract more young students back into the manufacturing field, because that’s a good thing. Supporting local schools is also very important.”
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