Automatic Employees, 1947
The Automatic Difference
More about Automatic Equipment Manufacturing
Automatic Equipment Manufacturing has been in business since 1925. With 95 years of service and commitment to agricultural professionals, we believe in providing the best possible tools for working farmers so they may spend less time and energy doing vital work. Our roller mills, like Automatic, are designed to stand the test of time. We are a fourth-generation family-owned company and are proud to have passed down the generational belief that quality, value, and service stand the test of time.
We look forward to getting to know you and discussing how we can best meet your needs. Automatic Equipment Manufacturing's roller mills make it easy to do the hard work without the hassle.
Our History
An early Automatic Roller Mill
Automatic Equipment Manufacturing was founded by Rollie McQuistan on the family farm just outside of Pender, Nebraska, in 1925 - the same site where our mills are built today. Our first products were cattle and hog oilers; we invented them. Cattle oilers helped farmers control flies, pests, and parasites, providing a cleaner, healthier operation and greater comfort to the animals our customers raised.
Automatic expanded its product line to include manufacturing tractor cabs, feed mixers, hydraulic rakes, field sprayers, and hitching equipment.
Automatic Equipment Manufacturing was reorganized as a sole proprietorship 1948 by Rollie's son-in-law, Myron Hesse. Myron began to develop the modern automatic roller mill as an improvement over hammer mills and burr grinders to deliver better nutrition to livestock. By 1957, Automatic roller mills became the standard for grinding corn for livestock and were used across the United States, Europe, Australia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and South America.
In the early 1980s, Myron's son Jay Hesse became the CEO and President of Automatic Equipment Manufacturing. Jay continued to develop the roller mill business while expanding into the recreational towing business with the development of the KarTote™ tow dolly. Jay continued to develop the recreational towing line by purchasing two recreational towing companies: the Oregon-based Duncan and the California-based Blue Ox.
Jay Hesse
Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Today
Today the company is headed up by Jay's son Mike Hesse. Mike has placed a renewed emphasis on the goals of the original company mission in continuing to innovate our roller mills to provide the healthiest feed to livestock with the greatest ease and convenience to cattle farmers and ranchers. Under Mike's direction, the company has developed two new large grain processing roller mills, at 10K and 15K. Built to bring ease and convenience to large operations across the United States and Europe.
Mike Hesse and the Automatic 10K PTO Roller Mill