Strobel Mfg

Strobel Manufacturing Launches with Proven Line of Equipment
New owners of former Strobel Industries represent next generation of founding family.

CLARKS, Neb. — A 62-year-old family-owned business with a tradition of building a solid, durable line of implements, equipment and equipment components today has new owners and a new name: Strobel Manufacturing. The former Strobel Industries Inc. will offer an unchanged line of products for the farming, ranching and construction industries. Yet along with a new name, Strobel Manufacturing has a new generation at the helm.

Steve Strobel will succeed his father Dwight as president, while Steve’s brother Shane will step up to the newly created role of director of manufacturing. Steve’s wife Belinda will serve as Chief Financial Officer. Except for the new management team, the manufacturer’s extended family will stay the same. Dwight Strobel, who incorporated Strobel Industries with his father Leonard in 1969, will continue in a consulting and engineering capacity. Dwight’s wife, Barb, will keep a hand in the administrative functions of the business, and 35 local employees will transition seamlessly to the newly named Strobel Manufacturing.

“The next generation’s going to run with it,” Steve Strobel said. “Dad’s passing the baton. But the tradition of building a solid, beefy piece of equipment is going to continue.”

Strobel Manufacturing products include scrapers, stalk cutters, earth packers, grass drills and bulk seed tenders. The equipment is sold direct and through dealers for applications in fields and construction sites all over the United States.

From its plant in Clarks, Neb., Strobel Manufacturing researches, designs and builds equipment under a nameplate Steve Strobel said is known for superior quality, durability and strength. The current product line developed from farm equipment built by Strobel Industries, which grew out of Strobel Blacksmith, founded by the late Leonard Strobel in 1946.

“The goal remains the same,” Steve Strobel said of his newly bought business. “You’re still going to get superior quality and an emphasis on attention to detail. “Dad used to say, ‘If you’re looking for the cheapest product, you’ve called the wrong place. But if you want the best, you’ve got the right place.’”

Although Strobel Manufacturing will offer an unchanged product lineup built by the same seasoned workforce in an existing facility, the new business entity will offer some immediate enhancements, according to Steve Strobel. He is looking to expand the current network of six dealers, and invites new dealer inquiries. He also plans to carry an inventory to meet today’s customer demand for immediate delivery.

“Today we live in a world where you have to have it in stock in order to sell it,” Steve Strobel said. Typically, a Strobel Industries product would be built-to-order. Strobel Manufacturing will strive to maintain an inventory so “when somebody has a need to have it, we have it there for them,” he said.

Besides common traditions of integrity, character and a strong work ethic, Strobel Manufacturing now shares common executives with Clarks-based Strobel Construction Unlimited Inc.: Steve Strobel is president and Belinda Strobel, CFO, of both organizations. “We are very excited to continue the tradition of building quality equipment for the industry, and we look forward to serving the community under the new banner of Strobel Manufacturing,” Steve Strobel said.

Strobel Manufacturing kicked off its new identity at this year’s Husker Harvest Days Sept. 9 through 11 in Grand Island, Neb.

“Steve, Shane and Dwight will be there under our new name,” said Belinda Strobel. “Every model product will be the same, so farmers can see that the tradition continues with Strobel Manufacturing.”