Highway Equipment Company (HECO), the manufacturer of Hi-Way road maintenance equipment and New Leader crop nutrient applicators, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2014.
The company was founded in 1939 by Roy Gaddis. Its first products were highway sand spreaders, which consisted of a hopper and hand-operated spinner system. Soon after, HECO manufactured the first New Leader product, a motorized sled. As the company grew and demands changed, HECO expanded its product lines to leverage changes in technology and to meet new expectations.
Today, HECO continues to manufacture the Hi-Way line, which includes a variety of spreaders, dump bodies, and de-icing equipment for the municipal, state transportation department, and contractor markets. The New Leader product line includes agricultural crop nutrient applicators for spreading fertilizer, lime, compost, and micronutrients on various crops for commercial and professional grower markets. The family-owned company is operated by president and chief executive officer Rocki Shepard and chairman Matt Rissi.
HECO invites the public to tour its facility to learn about its manufacturing process and to see its products close-up. To schedule a tour, email [email protected].
A privately owned business, HECO is based in Cedar Rapids IA. Access www.highwayequipment.com for more information. ♦