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Personality Profi le of Art’s Way Manufacturing, Inc.


Art’s Way Manufacturing Chairman J. Ward McConnell Jr. is a dairy farmer turned dealer turned implement- (and for a time, tractor-) manufacturer. His early experience as a dealer in New York State made a profound impact on his leadership at Art’s Way.


“I like to think that having walked in the servicing deal- er’s shoes has guided us well — particularly in realizing how our decisions can impact those out there working so hard to sell our products,” says Ward. “I know fi rst-hand the importance of things like product availability, warranty and other factors and their infl uence on a retailer’s ability to succeed in the local market.”


Today, he leads Art’s Way alongside his son Marc McConnell, who serves as Vice-Chairman. Their 57-year- old company has 200 employees with nearly 20 dif- ferent equipment items in its product mix, from world- renowned ag products like sugar beet harvesters and grinders to a host of other products for customers of all sizes, including spreaders, grain drills, hay rakes, bal- ers, blades and land levelers. “We are in the midst of a signifi cant reinvestment effort that is aimed at improving effi ciencies, fl exibility, and quality by updating our manufacturing equipment and embracing new technologies,” says Marc. “We are a growing company that is focusing on the fundamen- tals to serve our dealers and farmers better than ever with innovative, quality products.” Art’s Way dealers benefi t from the ability to source so many different types of products through one manufacturer. Art’s Way is a publicly-held company (NASDAQ: ARTW) on solid standing, with a profi table performance in each of the last 11 years. While rapidly adding new products has its challenges, this hardwork- ing group in America’s heartland has tripled sales since 2002.


Art’s Way is achieving this level of success by apply- ing the same commitment to continuous improvement they’ve honed on the shop fl oor and carrying it for- ward to each product line acquisition and integration. Because they now manufacture each of these products nearly simultaneously, as opposed to the old batch process, they always have fresh inventory to offer to the market.


And when demand calls for additional availability, they can respond quickly. This change has also given them many advantages from a manufacturing stand- point, including quality assurance. Together, father and son, Ward McConnell Jr., and Marc McConnell, look forward to continuing Art’s Way’s tradition of quality and continual improvement with you.


PO Box 288, 5556 Hwy 9 Armstrong, IA 50514 Phone: 712-864-3131 Fax: 712-864-3154


Email: sales@artsway-mfg.com


RURAL LIFESTYLE DEALER  SPRING 2013 39 Visit RuralLifestyleDealer.com/RS and indicate No. 102


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