Dur-A-Lift, Inc. traces its roots back to the founding of a blacksmith shop by German immigrant, Folkert Sudenga in the summer of 1888 on main street George, Iowa. Sudenga provided area farmers with shoes for their horses and replacement parts for their wagons. Sons and grandsons joined the business over the years as the Sudengas became known for reliable solutions to the inevitable equipment problems that arose for early area farmers.
Floyd and Jay Sudenga, Grandson's of Folkert Sudenga eventually turned the company exclusively towards manufacturing around 1957, when Sudenga Iron Works developed their first bulk feed bodies. This product was an innovation in the agricultural world, immediately revolutionizing the way feed was delivered and received on farms across the country.
In 1976, after over thirty years in business, Floyd and Jay Sudenga sold the business to five key employees. Product lines were expanded to meet continued growth in demand. Eventually the Sudenga Industries, Inc. product line grew into one of the most respected lines of grain, seed, fertilizer and feed handling equipment in the agricultural industry.
In the interest of continued growth and diversification, a line of 3 and 4 wheel electric mobility scooters was developed and manufactured under the name Ranger All Season Corporation in the 1980's. Around that same time, the aerial lift product line of Durnell Engineering was purchased, renamed Dur-A-Lift and relocated to the manufacturing facility in George, Iowa. Sudenga Industries, Ranger All-Season Corp and Dur-A-Lift Inc. were all brought under the Diversified Technologies, Inc. umbrella.
Today, Diversified Technologies, Inc. continues to operate all three divisions out of its corporate offices and manufacturing facility located in Northwest Iowa. Over 275 employees draw daily on the rich heritage and unrivaled experience gained only through having done business for over 124 years.
