LOFTNESS MANUFACTURING

Sales grew until it reached the point where Dick could no longer operate at the farm. He moved the business into a small, vacant building in Hector and employed a few farmers who were not busy in the winter. In 1970, Marv Nelson, a local farmer, began acting as a distributor for Dick. He bought the snow blowers directly from Loftness and traveled the upper Midwest, selling them to farm implement dealers. Gradually, sales increased, and the Loftness snow blower name was beginning to be recognized. Loftness Manufacturing was once again moved in 1975, this time into a building Dick had built in Hector. The company continued to grow, but by 1979 Dick decided to sell. Marv Nelson bought the business, controlling production as well as distribution. Semi-trucks were purchased, and snow blowers were delivered directly to dealers. Up to this point, snow blowers were the only product manufactured. Sales fluctuated widely, since they were dictated solely by weather, so another product was needed..

Also known as: Loftness

Primary location: Hector United States