Company History
Elvin Stoltzfus and Joe Yoder founded Pik Rite. Having diverse backgrounds in farming and welding shop activities, they were looking for a mechanical method of picking tomatoes. In 1983 they built their first tomato harvesting machine. After a few years of testing and modifying the original machine, three Pik Rite harvesters were built in 1986, and the company was incorporated.
Growth
Since the 1990s, Pik Rite has experienced steady growth in sales, market coverage, and technological innovations. Located in Central Pennsylvania, the company presently employs nearly 100 people at two manufacturing and parts facilities located in Lewisburg, Pa.
Products
From the first tomato harvester, Pik Rite has continued to develop and add equipment that can be used to harvest cucumbers, peppers, gourds, zucchini, squash, pumpkins and carrots. A vine windrower, which rearranges vines prior to picking, was developed in 1994. A plastic lifter/wrapper was introduced in 1997. Pik Rite now holds a patent for a Double Brush Shaker System.
Pik Rite initiated its product line diversification plans and began to manufacture commercial waste handling vacuum tanks and water vacuum tankers in 1998. In 2000, Pik Rite introduced the Hydra-Ram Manure Spreader, formerly known as the John Deere Hydra-Push. A vine diverter, which is used to move the tomato crop from one row to the adjoining row, was first manufactured by Pik Rite in 2001. In 2002, Pik Rite sold its first HC290 tomato harvester, designed for the larger tomato grower. A municipal leaf collection / compacting unit was added to Pik Rite’s line of equipment in 2005. Product lines expanded again in 2016 to include dump truck bodies from Pik Rite.
Markets
Pik Rite, Inc. is currently selling its complete line of equipment throughout the United States and abroad, and is the preeminent seller of tomato harvesters and vegetable harvesting equipment in the Midwest and Eastern sections of North America, including Ontario, Canada. Machines are also presently being used to harvest a variety of crops throughout the United States. In addition to the Canadian market, Pik Rite equipment has also been exported to Russia, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Azerbaijan, Portugal, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, St. Maarten, Philippines, Mongolia, Poland, Ukraine, Honduras, Chile, Egypt, Argentina and Dagestan.
In the agricultural area, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has recognized these efforts as Pik Rite, Inc. was presented with the state’s Agribusiness Achievement Award in January 1997. Pik Rite continues to lead the way with production of efficient, dependable equipment, which provides its customers with the best value for the dollar.
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