Editor’s note: Husker Harvest Days is Sept. 10-12 in Grand Island, Neb. Visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.

From its humble beginnings in a garage in Grand Island, Chief Industries now spans the globe with a diverse business that covers seven distinct brands.

Founded by Virgil Eihusen in 1954, the company remains family-owned, with DJ Eihusen, Virgil’s grandson, at the helm.

“Starting with home construction,” recalls the president and CEO of Chief Industries Inc., “Chief recognized the need to expand its offerings.”

Now, 70 years later, its brands include agricultural storage solutions, conditioning and material handling products, construction, prefabricated metal buildings, steel fabrication, manufactured housing, ethanol production, and transportation.

Eihusen says the company’s core values remain the same — strong relationships with stakeholders and resilience through diversification.

Challenges and pivotal moments

Like many growing businesses, Chief faced challenges over the years.

At one time, the company had 15 business divisions. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, Chief Industries decided to sell Chief Automotive, a frame straightener business.

“That was sold for the benefit of all the businesses,” Eihusen says. “We’ve really pared back to the seven today, and that’s by design.”

One that stayed in the mix is Chief Industries’ ethanol division. Eihusen credits his father, Bob, for moving into that emerging industry in the early 1990s.

“Chief Industries is proud to say that we have one of the country’s longest-running dry mill ethanol plants in the U.S.,” Eihusen says.

With each new brand, the company became more resilient, but the innovation did not stop.

Over the decades, Chief Industries continued to modernize to enhance efficiency and product quality. Automation and cutting-edge equipment transform the manufacturing processes.

“It’s really our belief that we have to stay on the forefront of that equipment so that we can stay on the leading edge in providing the quality products and services that we do today,” Eihusen says.

By embracing innovation, Chief Industries ensures it remains competitive and delivers excellence to its stakeholders: employees, suppliers and local communities.

Caring for rural neighborhoods

Eihusen says community is key to finding success and sustainability as a company in a rural area.

“If we’ve been blessed and we’re fortunate to have a great year,” Eihusen says, “it’s imperative that we give back to our communities.”

Chief supports communities through social, economic and health-related causes touched by the 17 United Way agency partners, The Grace Foundation and numerous youth activities from early childhood through every level of education.

For the family, it is about supporting those who work and live in the small towns where they operate.

With 70 years and three generations of leadership, Chief Industries has a rich legacy as a company and in its community. And that, according to Eihusen, will continue as the fourth generation is already learning the business and continuing this proud tradition.