Discover how Spudnik Equipment is transforming agriculture with cutting-edge solutions for vegetable processing
With a team of over 500 employees, Spudnik Equipment (Spudnik) aims to be the premier partner for growers around the globe by providing superior field and storage equipment. Based in Blackfoot, Idaho, the company works closely with customers to identify areas for improvement, leveraging new ideas, technological advancements, and the expertise of its specialized team working worldwide. Evan Steel, Sales Director, retraces Spudnik’s evolution from its early days to the present day.
“The company was started in 1958 by brothers Carl and Leo Hobbs, who used to shovel potatoes into sacks. Deciding there had to be a better way to handle potatoes without the need for so much manual labor, they invented a scooper that could gather potatoes from storage, scoop them up, and load them directly into a truck. Over the years, they expanded their product line and developed other equipment, such as conveyors and pilers, which we still build today. Since then, the company has seen significant innovation in its machines, eventually branching out into field equipment for planting and harvesting potatoes. In the late 1990s, the Grimme Group (Grimme), the largest potato equipment producer in the world, approached the owners of Spudnik and asked if they would be interested in a partnership. The company agreed, and by 2002, Spudnik became a fully owned member of Grimme,” he begins.
“Today, we are the largest manufacturer of potato equipment in North America. The acquisition by Grimme has been greatly beneficial for both Spudnik and the potato industry in North America. The technology and innovations for potato equipment that had already been developed in Europe were easy to adapt and apply to the American market. All we needed to do was ensure our equipment was robust and heavier built for local needs. Currently, our primary focus is on potato equipment, including the manufacturing of harvesters, planters, and the machinery used for both storing potatoes and taking them out of storage. In terms of services related to our potato business, we have set up retail centers throughout North America where we provide technical support for our equipment, as well as providing spare parts. As we expand into new markets, we are also developing innovative products tailored for the vegetable and sugar beet industries,” he adds.
Vegetable market mechanization
Spudnik’s entry into vegetable and sugar beet processing has been on the agenda for some time, but it took a gradual approach to launching in these markets. “Expanding into sugar beets was a natural next step and a project we have been working on for several years now. Many of our potato customers, especially here in Idaho, also grow sugar beets. Thus, they appreciated the innovations we introduced over the years in potato equipment and increasingly requested similar advancements in sugar beet machinery. As we innovate and develop new products, we see opportunities in the Midwest to explore new customer bases, making this a promising region for expansion in sugar beet processing equipment. Our approach to the vegetable market is somewhat different. In the last few years, Grimme partnered with and subsequently acquired a Denmark-based company called Asa-Lift, which specializes in vegetable harvesting for crops like cabbage and carrots. This comes as the Grimme Group is actively exploring the vegetable industry. 
“Through this expansion, we are not looking to compete with major players like John Deere or AGCO, as they focus primarily on cereals and high-acreage crops. Meanwhile, our niche lies in the specialized vegetable industry. The acreage for these specialized crops may not be large enough to attract the interest of these bigger companies, creating a unique opportunity for us. Additionally, these markets are intriguing because they lack significant mechanization. The early days of Spudnik were focused on developing mechanization for potatoes, and we aim to apply that expertise to other vegetables, such as spinach and celery, among others. As labor shortages become increasingly common worldwide, there is a growing need for more mechanization in these vegetable markets, presenting us with a substantial opportunity for growth,” Evan elaborates.
Expanding production capabilities
As Spudnik continues to grow and enter new geographical markets and sectors, its manufacturing processes are evolving to meet these changing demands. Evan discusses the recent investments that Spudnik has made into its manufacturing capabilities. “We are based in Blackfoot, a small town in Idaho with a population of about 15,000. However, our manufacturing facility here is quite large, and everyone who comes to visit it is impressed that it is in Blackfoot. Over the past few years, we have significantly expanded our production capabilities, effectively doubling our square footage. This growth has been supported by investments in new equipment, including technology that improves our manufacturing processes, as well as different mills and lathes. In addition to our investments in production, we recognize the need to enhance our service and parts network. To that end, we have made substantial investments in southern Idaho and Alberta, Canada, where we established dealerships and retail locations. These facilities allow us to better service our customers by providing parts depots and a team of trained service technicians ready to support them. With a workforce of 500 people, what we have built in Blackfoot is impressive for a town of this size,” he ends.
Spudnik’s evolution from a small-scale operation to a leading manufacturer exemplifies its commitment to innovation and customer collaboration. By leveraging technological advancements and expanding into new markets, the company is poised to meet the changing demands of the agricultural sector.