Description
Kinze Manufacturing's world headquarters, manufacturing facility, offices and training center span over 30 acres, located along Interstate 80, near Williamsburg, Iowa. The company receives five to seven semi-trailer loads of raw materials a day, including 35 million pounds of high-grade steel each year.
Unlike other equipment manufacturers who often assemble parts made from as far away as China, Kinze makes virtually all its planter and grain cart components. When Jon Kinzenbaw couldn't find a hydraulic cylinder that met his requirements for reliability, he simply started to make his own.
Inside the manufacturing plant, giant steel cutting and stamping machines punch out everything from large grain cart panels and planter frames to the smallest sprockets and components. Skilled welders work next to welding robots as pieces of equipment begin to take shape. Every exposed surface of the high-quality steel is first de-scaled then powder-coated and assembled by people who take an enormous amount of pride in their work. Many have tenure of over 20 years with the company.
As part of the quality assurance process, each seed meter is individually tested prior to installation on the planter. All hydraulic cylinders are cycled and pressure tested before they are installed on any machines.
After passing final inspection, each piece of equipment is taken to our state of the art indoor shipping facility to be loaded onto awaiting semi trailers or shipping containers.
If you plan to be in the area and would like to see the plant, you call the number listed and ask for "Tours" to schedule your factory tour.
Other Information
The Kinze Innovation Center is also open to all visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at the same address and is where all factory tours begin.
The Kinze Innovation Center showcases the many agricultural innovations from Kinze’s rich heritage and highlights the technology that is shaping farming today and into the future. See the first grain cart after which ALL other brands of carts are modeled. Experience the size and power of the tractor (“Big Blue”) and plow that showed the world how to plow. Observe and understand the technology that enables farmers to plant fields faster and more accurately to achieve greater yields.
Must be 14 years of age or older to go on a factory tour. Also, individuals with pacemakers are not allowed to participate in the tour. There is equipment throughout the factory that will interfere with pacemakers, including microwaves and industrial magnets. Close-toed shoes are required to go on the factory tour.