The Perfect Fit
The town of Birmingham, Iowa doesn’t have the notoriety of the famous Alabama city that shares its name. Of course, that’s to be expected for a town that only boasts a few hundred residents—367, to be exact, according to the 2020 Census. But despite the size and population differences, Iowa’s Birmingham does have one thing that Alabama doesn’t: Lick Creek Enterprises, LLC.
Ancient Drainage
Fratco has been a leader in the modern drainage industry, but what about before the notion of industry existed at all?
In other words—how did water management practices first begin? Who gets the credit for developing this essential technology? And what did that technology look like long before the words “drainage pipe” were synonymous with “Fratco”?
Meet Jose Requena
In the four years since he started at Fratco, Jose Requeña has seen the pipe industry from three distinct perspectives. He first began at the plant in manufacturing, moved on to assisting with dispatch in the yard, then became an asset in the sales department. Now, his well-rounded experience in the Fratco supply chain allows him to serve customers’ needs on all fronts.
Generations in the Making
Few can claim a closer connection to the excavation business than Rudy DeSabatine. Not only has Rudy spent his own professional life laying tile, he also grew up watching his father, Paul, do the same. Two of Rudy’s brothers, Bob and David, are old industry pros as well, and together, the family accounts for decades of industry knowledge.
The Future of Farming and Food
Outsiders often think of agriculture as a low-tech and primitive industry. To some, the world of farming still resembles the iconic imagery of 1930’s American Gothic: weathered-looking people with pitchforks turning over bales of hay on their dusty old farms. But as ag insiders know, that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, Big Ag sits up there with Big Tech as one of the most technologically advanced and innovative industries on earth.
Meet John Danford
A lot can happen in 24 years —that’s enough time for a newborn to grow into adulthood, for technology to progress leaps and bounds or for an entire world order to be shaken up by changing norms and circumstances. In John Danford’s case, 24 years is more than enough time to become a respected and valuable member of the ever-growing Fratco family.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Farmers
Seasons come and go as crops are sown, grown and harvested by farmers who feed the world. And just like every harvest must be carefully nurtured, the same is true for each generation of farmers. So what will the next “crop” of agricultural professionals be like? What unique additions will they bring to the never-ending, ever-changing world of food production? How will they be similar to past generations of farmers, and how will they be different? Tried & True was eager to find out.
Focused Energy in the Field
The cost to power businesses is constantly shifting. No matter the industry, efficient operations minimize rising energy costs. That’s why cost-effective alternatives are becoming more of the norm to conserve and invest in renewable energy, and farming is no exception.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
In 1821, Putnam County, Indiana, was formed. Located west of Indianapolis, the county was named after General Israel Putnam, who served during the Revolutionary War. It’s an area in rich with industry, agriculture and includes the community of Belle Union. It’s also where Devin Salsman, owner and operator of Salsman Drainage, Inc., calls home.
Price Fluctuations
These days, everyone is taking a closer look at product prices. From the gas station to the grocery store, consumer cost awareness is higher than ever. That’s why Fratco has gathered tips and advice from our internal teams to help you field client concerns and questions while assuring your customers we’ll continue to produce nothing but the best pipe in the business.