Feb 3

Written by: ngreditor
2/3/2009 9:16 PM 

Retirements at Lindsay Manufacturing

Kenneth Purscell

Pictured (L-R) Charlie and Pamela Meis and Teresa and Bob Snoozy.

For a brief pause in a busy day, shift workers at Lindsay Manufacturing lined up to say farewell to two long-time executives.

Bob Snoozy, vice president of sales, is retiring after 35 years of work for the company. A native of South Dakota and a graduate of SDSU, Bob has worked the past eight years out of the Omaha office.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” he said. “For one thing, this building we’re standing in wasn’t here when I started.”

But the changes have been in more than just buildings. “I’ve seen the company move from being a heavy-duty blacksmith shop to a world class manufacturer.” Bob’s favorite memories are of the friendly, hardworking people.

Snoozy’s place will be taken by Randy Wood of Omaha.

Charlie Meis, chief engineer for the company, is retiring after 37 years. Much of the company’s transformation over the years has been under his care.

“The highlight has definitely been launching new projects,” he said. Charlie singled out the Generation 2 line of pivot equipment, started in 1984.

“It took us three years to analyze the market,” he said. “The breakthrough was the commonality of parts. Freight people, purchasers, everybody worked together to determine what we could ship and what would be needed.”

In the last 24 years, nearly 80 thousand Generation 2 pivots have been sold.

Will another Generation be coming? Jochan Pfrenger, the new head of engineering, said that “When you make it so good, it’s hard to improve on the wheel.” Any change would be more apt to be tech driven, with communication between the farmer and the irrigation units.

“There aren’t too many product lines that have had as little change in over twenty years,” said Meis.

After retirement, Charlie Meis plans to build a shop at home. “Tinkering and traveling,” are his plans, he says.

Both men received a warm welcome from workers as they passed through the receiving line. Family members were present for pictures, and there was a dinner afterwards.

Copyright ©2009 Newman Grove Reporter