Every October, the NE Chamber holds their Annual Manufacturing Summit to celebrate a business sector that employs more than 100,000 Nebraskans. As part of this year’s event in La Vista, large and small manufacturers of the year as well as the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska Winner were recognized.
Aulick Industries from Scottsbluff was named the small manufacturer of the year. Aulick [aulick.com] is a manufacturer of agricultural transportation equipment. Its Belt Trailers and silage boxes are designed for easy loading, hauling and unloading of any farm commodity. Aulick has also expanded into construction, landscaping, and dump boxes, and most recently, goose neck trailers.
The operation traces its beginnings to a gas station opened in 1952 by Harry Aulick. In Harry’s downtime, he began rewinding alternators and starters. When demand for the business took off, he sold the gas station and moved into a shop down the street where he began working on truck frame modifications, leading to the innovative design of the silage box in the 1970s. By the early 2000s, Aulick officially grew into manufacturing various trailers and boxes. Operations are currently in transition from the second to the third generation of Aulick’s. Now occupying four buildings along the South Beltline in Scottsbluff, the company has more than 130 employees in 12 locations, across the U.S., including Grand Island and Benkelman. This year marks Aulick Industries’ 70th year of business.
“Nebraska’s largest industry is ag. The fastest growing industry in Nebraska is manufacturing. We cater to both of those,” said Austin Aulick. “Our work impacts the state, not just through the initial sale of our products, but through every load that’s hauled by our customers.”
A long-time corporate citizen, Aulick has recently been recognized for its innovative approach to reinvesting in workforce development, including offering high school internships, helping start up a high school diesel technicians’ experiential learning program (housed onsite at Aulick’s), and creating college apprenticeships. In 2009, Aulick received the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Trail Blazer Award.
Lincoln Premium Poultry in Fremont was named the large manufacturer of the year.
Through September and early October, the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance set out to find the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska. After gathering nomination, they bracketed the top 16 submissions and opened the polls. Statewide voting narrowed the field down, as shown above, and announced the winner as part of the Annual Manufacturing Summit during Manufacturing Month.
Ultimately, the NYC Subway Car made by Kawaski was named the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska, edging Chief Fabrications Pivot Walker in the final round.
NPPD is proud to help power the production of so many of these awesome things made in Nebraska.
To learn more about what’s happening in Nebraska for Manufacturing month, visit NE Manufacturing Alliance – Chamber WebLink | Address
Information from the NE Chamber and NE Manufacturing Alliance was used in this story.