Harper, Kansas, United States: Harper Industries, Inc, a diverse, values-based manufacturing company building quality products in the fields of agriculture, hydraulics, landscaping and sports turf management, has joined the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

The company builds durable, brand name products such as DewEze flatbeds, DewEze hydraulics and Harper Turf Equipment products.

Tim Penner, President of Harper Industries, said: “Our purpose is to be the premium, trusted, and preferred provider of products for all the customers and markets we serve. We seek to create a positive place to work and to improve our communities, both local and global.”

Byron Riesen, Sales Manager, Harper Industries, added: “We manufacture a line of turf maintenance equipment for the golf course industry and distribute them in Southeast Asia through Jebsen and Jessen.”

Henrik Friis, Regional Director, Jebsen & Jessen, said: “We are delighted that Harper entrusted us with representing them and that they enforced their commitment to the market and us by joining the Asian Golf Industry Federation to support the golf industry in Asia. 

“Harper enhances our product portfolio with its unique range of dual-purpose Sweeper and Verti-cutting machines that will help our customers increase efficiency of operation as well as enhance aesthetics of the turf at golf courses and sports fields. Harper also has a range of customised machines for turf, landscape and roadside maintenance that we are thrilled to introduce to the market.”

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Harper Industries as a Full Business Member of the Federation and look forward to seeing them grow their market presence in Asia.”

It was on April Fool’s Day in 1968 that DewEze opened its doors for business. That same year, DewEze began with the production of the Hay MoBale in an effort to move small square bales from the field to a flatbed.

A watershed was reached at the 1984 Kansas State Fair where DewEze introduced its first bale bed line, the 200 series.

Harper Turf can trace its origin to 1986 back to the production of an innovative, two-wheeled, self-levelling mower by DewEze. The machine featured dual floating decks and was capable of mowing all types of terrain, including hillsides, crowns and ditches that most machines could not handle.

It was in 1998 that Harper Industries, Inc, an employee leadership group formed by Tim Penner, acquired the assets of DewEze Manufacturing from Owasso, initiating a period of profound growth and innovation.

Since then, Harper Industries’ three divisions have continued to thrive, generating US$25 million in revenue in 2015 and releasing its 20,000th Bale Bed in 2016, marking decades of durability.

“Harper Industries is proud of our entrepreneurial beginnings and small-town approach to life and business,” said Penner.