Patriot Equipment / Minden Machine Shop Inc.

About Patriot Equipment / Minden Machine Shop Inc.

Patriot Equipment, headquartered in Minden, Nebraska, traces its roots to 1984 when Harold Lempka opened Minden Machine Shop in a 30-by-50-foot building along the railroad tracks. Initially a side venture with a partner, the shop repaired and built machinery using an old lathe and welder. After the partner departed, Harold's sons Larry and Kerry joined the business, and the operation transitioned from contract machining to manufacturing its own line of farm equipment. Today the company operates across more than 92,000 square feet of production space with a workforce exceeding 60 people. It manufactures and sells 31 distinct equipment lines—seed tenders alone offer ten size and style variations—while maintaining a job-shop division that handles custom fabrication and repair work in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Capabilities include laser cutting, robotic and hand welding, bending, sawing, painting, assembly, and hydraulic and electrical integration. The primary customer base is agricultural producers, but the shop also serves commercial firms, schools, and hospitals that require custom metalwork or equipment repairs. Products are sold directly and through a dealer network across the United States. The business was built on a simple principle articulated by Harold Lempka: do a good job at a fair price and treat the customer with respect. That philosophy, combined with a deep sense of patriotism that inspired the Patriot Equipment brand in 1994, continues to guide the company's growth.

Company details

Location

Minden, Nebraska

Company type

Manufacturer

Employees

60+

Founded

1984

Listed under

• Food & Beverage Processing in Nebraska

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