History
1961 RANCO was incorporated. RANCO derived its name from the main investor, Ray A. Nation (RAN) and Company (CO). Hence RANCO was formed. The other two investors were Glen Gillett and Paul Krile.
1962 RANCO introduced a mobile mounted blending and spreading unit
A stationary unit was also designed later in 1962.
1963 The first stationary Multi-Blender was produced that included fiberglass tube augers to discharge away from each bin (the first meter units).
Owners Ray A. Nation and Glen Gillett did not survive a plane crash. Paul Krile assumed primary ownership and leadership responsibility.
1964 Railcar and truck unloaders were developed to receive bulk fertilizer.
1965 First bucket elevator built. The original Ranco leg was built out of wood and steel.
1966 Ranco’s first overbin belt conveyor was produced. Early models were only 12 inches wide.
1967 Fiberglass took the place of wood on the bucket elevators.
Ranco purchased its first airplane, a Piper PA-23 Aztec. It was used to make sales calls during the week and to fly Paul Krile’s barbershop quartet, the Four Nubbins, around the country to performances on the weekend.
1968 Paul’s Four Nubbins quartet went on a USO tour
1969 Flinger developed for overbin conveyor.
First high capacity barge receiving system installed in Augusta, Arkansas.
Overbin belt conveyors now available in 16” wide versions.
1970 Electronic drives replaced the mechanical drive system on the multi-blender. This change increased system capacity by 2 to 3 times.
1971 Blender bins were changed over to fiberglass as well as the u-trough blend auger behind the blender.
Added large diameter drive roller and gravity take-up’s to the now standard 16” wide belt conveyor to reduce belt tracking and training problems.
Ranco purchased the local Quaker Oats Elevator. The purchase was made so there was a place to test the fertilizer handling and blending equipment. Ranco maintained the day to day operations of the elevator and participated in the grain business until it was sold in 1989.
1972 200 ton per hour equipment was developed to accommodate more barge unloading terminals.
1973 Changed the electronic blender drive system to a more sophisticated control system that allowed motor control accuracy of ¼ of 1%.
1975 Ranco sold the Piper PA-23 Aztec in favor of a Piper PA-31 Navajo.
The bucket elevator production building was built.
1977 Fiberglass u-trough augers now being used for receiving as well as over roof and over bin building fill systems.
The first double blend system was installed in Alden, Iowa.
1978 Stainless steel became a part of most items, especially the bucket elevators.
1979 Ranco developed the first truly positive controlled liquid impregnation system.
1981 The “west shop” was built.
1982 The Ranco drag chain was developed.
1983 Our rental house and east parking lot was purchased.
1984 The first tank blend system was installed in Grosse Isle, Manitoba.
Started using 10” meter screws in the blender (previously the largest size was 8”)
1987 Ranco started utilizing drag paddle conveyors in some applications.
1988 Ranco product conditioners and rotary screeners were developed.
Bucket elevators now available with all stainless steel casing sections.
1990 The fiberglass building was purchased. It was previously a diesel repair shop
1994 Early computer interface developed for blend system
The office building was built.
1995 Belt additive bins became an option on blend systems
1996 Optional sizes of blender bins became available
1997 Systems to handle super sacks were introduced into the product line.
1998 NTEP approval on weigh hoppers
1999 Electronic scroll touch panel introduced for blend system
The paint building was built using designs completely invented by Ranco personnel.
2000 Declining Weigh technology was introduced. DW is the biggest advancement in continuous flow blending since it was originally invented by Ranco in the early 1960’s.
2004 Development of high capacity roller conveyor. The roller conveyor allowed us to convey material further than our standard slider bed conveyor. Up to 800 TPH
2007 The former Simonson Ironworks building in Sioux Rapids was purchased and tagged “Rantec”. Ranco began doing much more of its own fabrication.
2008 The former Casey’s General Store next to the office building was purchased to serve as Paul Krile’s office building.
2009 The office building and west shop were added on to.
An old restaurant next door was purchased and the Sioux Rapids volunteer fire department was allowed to perform a practice burn on the building.
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