In 1952, Alfred “Pete” Schlatter opened the doors of a modest welding shop in Francesville, Indiana. Just a stone’s throw from the fire station, this small-town machine shop wasn’t built on big dreams of corporate success—but on a desire to …
We want you to feel like a part of our family and get to know the whole Fratco community! That’s why we created Tried & True–a publication that talks about all things Fratco. We celebrate our employees, recognize our loyal customers and educate about water management solutions.
In 1952, Alfred “Pete” Schlatter opened the doors of a modest welding shop in Francesville, Indiana. Just a stone’s throw from the fire station, this small-town machine shop wasn’t built on big dreams of corporate success—but on a desire to …
In a corner of northwest Missouri—where four miles west puts you in Nebraska, a short drive north lands you in Iowa and Kansas lies just to the southwest—Liles Enterprises stands as a testament to the kind of quiet resilience and …
Addy plays a key role in making Fratco’s operations more efficient, reliable and innovative. “My job is very hands-on,” Addy explains. “It involves solving problems with machines, quality and processes—making things work better, safer and smarter.”
The town of Fort Payne might not have been on many people’s radar. It wasn’t on Fratco’s either—at first. “We were actually looking at somewhere adjacent to our current manufacturing footprint,” recalls Bill Champion, Fratco’s COO. “But the South had …
In 1952, Alfred “Pete” Schlatter opened the doors of a modest welding shop in Francesville, Indiana. Just a stone’s throw from the fire station, this small-town machine shop wasn’t built on big dreams of corporate success—but on a desire to …
In a corner of northwest Missouri—where four miles west puts you in Nebraska, a short drive north lands you in Iowa and Kansas lies just to the southwest—Liles Enterprises stands as a testament to the kind of quiet resilience and …
When most people think about field drainage, they picture one thing: getting water off the land so crops don’t drown. Simple enough, right?
When the sun’s beating down, things on the worksite can get more than just uncomfortable—they can get downright dangerous. Heatstroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion are no joke. So here are the best ways to keep cool and beat the heat …
Working out in the field isn’t exactly like a boardroom meeting, and that’s part of the charm of getting to work out there. The language is straight to the point, the jokes fly fast and everyone appreciates honesty. But when …
Addy plays a key role in making Fratco’s operations more efficient, reliable and innovative. “My job is very hands-on,” Addy explains. “It involves solving problems with machines, quality and processes—making things work better, safer and smarter.”
There’s a certain comfort in staying where it’s safe. In a harbor, a ship is protected—tied off, anchored and still. But that’s not its purpose. A ship was built for the wide-open sea—for risk, movement and a mission.
The 2025 North American Conservation & Drainage Expo (NACADE) in Indianapolis, Indiana, brought together industry leaders, researchers and professionals to discuss the latest advancements in water management. This was the second biennial event, founded by Jason and Justin Brown, brothers …
Out in the wild, nature’s not just a nice view—it’s the ultimate teacher of hard, honest lessons. For those of us who spend our days working under the open sky, nature’s got some straightforward advice on living simpler and stronger. …
Being a leader goes beyond wearing a suit and tie and walking around with a clipboard. True leadership comes down to traits, habits and practices that motivate others to follow your lead—often without a single command.
The Transforming Drainage Project, an initiative from 2015 to 2021, has left an revolutionary mark on agricultural drainage practices across the Midwest. This groundbreaking endeavor, driven by a multidisciplinary team of experts and supported by the USDA National Institute of …
The world of water management is continuously evolving, with materials like high-density polypropylene (HDPP) expanding the role of plastic pipe in demanding applications. Rather than replacing high-density polyethylene (HDPE), HDPP offers a solution for situations where HDPE may not be …
Just north of Brookings, South Dakota, Buffalo Ridge Metalworks operates as a unique blend of community, craftsmanship and innovation. With a small but mighty team of seven full-time employees, this metal manufacturing business has spent the past decade creating custom …
Williamson Pipe Supply sits just south of Nashville’s concerts and nightlife in Franklin, Tennessee—a place as famous for its country music stars as its rolling hills. Led by Barry Saucier and his tight-knit team of five, this humble pipe supply …
Another check-in with Keegan Kult, Executive Director for ADMC, yielded some exciting updates for the drainage water management industry.
The road to becoming who you want to be isn’t an easy one. It’s marked by hard work, setbacks and challenges that will test you at every turn. Marshall’s words remind us that success doesn’t come to those who wait …
For Brooks Schoon, success is built one small decision at a time. As Facilities Manager at Fratco’s St. Anne location, Brooks brings the same level of dedication to his work that he’s honed on the court playing college basketball for …
Since joining Fratco in January 2023, Jason Lingenfelter has embraced his role as Project Manager with a unique blend of humility, ingenuity and vision. Having spent 25 years in law enforcement and retiring as Chief of Police in Monticello, Indiana, …
At Fratco, our legacy of innovation and quality spans over a century, and we're far from finished. We’ve put together a short video series to showcase how we’re “Investing in Tomorrow." This series invites you to witness our journey as …
In the quaint, Midwestern town of Atlanta, Illinois, where the fields stretch wide and the days start early, a legacy was born over a century ago. It was here, among the hardworking families of German immigrants, that Clarence Leesman took …
Out in the rolling fields of McPherson, Kansas, Battenfeld-Cincinnati has humbly been shaping the future of manufacturing since 1977, steadily building a reputation as a powerhouse in extrusion technology. Originally founded as American Maplan Corporation, the company has become a …
At Fratco, our legacy of innovation and quality spans over a century, and we're far from finished. We’ve put together a short video series to showcase how we’re “Investing in Tomorrow." This series invites you to witness our journey as …
When the temperature drops and the wind starts to bite, everyone knows that layering up is the way to go. But have you ever wondered why piling on those layers actually keeps you warm? It’s not just about throwing on …
When you’ve been in the game for a while, it’s easy to think you’ve seen it all. You’ve got the experience, you know the ropes and there’s a certain pride that comes with that. But here’s the thing: no matter …
We’ve all been there–elbow-deep in a project, facing a roadblock that seems impossible to overcome. You’ve tried every tool in your box, every trick in the book and still, the solution seems just out of reach. It’s in moments like …
When it comes to innovative farming techniques, few methods have sparked as much conversation as subirrigation. It’s been a game-changer, especially for farmers grappling with the challenges of poorly drained soils. We had the opportunity to sit down with Charlie …
When Robert Boyd first walked into Fratco’s Francesville Plant, he was stepping into a world that was entirely new to him. Having spent years in the seed corn sector, Robert was no stranger to hard work, but the challenges of …
Staying mentally strong isn’t just for desk jockeys or puzzle lovers. When you’re out in the field, keeping your mind tough is just as important as staying physically fit. Here’s how you can keep your head in the game:
Staying mentally strong isn’t just for desk jockeys or puzzle lovers. When you’re out in the field, keeping your mind tough is just as important as staying physically fit. Here’s how you can keep your head in the game:
Francesville Plant
4385 S. 1450 W.
P.O. Box 368
Francesville, IN 47946
St. Anne Plant
499 S. Oak St.
St. Anne, IL 60964
Mt. Pleasant Plant
1600 W. Washington St.
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
Algona Plant
2502 E. Poplar St.
Algona, IA 50511
Westfield (Stateline Tile)
23942 IA Hwy 12
Westfield, IA 51062
Francesville Plant
4385 S. 1450 W.
P.O. Box 368
Francesville, IN 47946
St. Anne Plant
499 S. Oak St.
St. Anne, IL 60964
Mt. Pleasant Plant
1600 W. Washington St.
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
Algona Plant
2502 E. Poplar St.
Algona, IA 50511
Westfield (Stateline Tile)
23942 IA Hwy 12
Westfield, IA 51062
605-957-5050 (Jerry Weiland)
712-898-8351 (Devon Allaway)
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