WESSINGTON — Vern’s Manufacturing has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings 60 years ago, when LaVerne Kleinsasser purchased the Wessington Blacksmith Shop from Charlie Bennett.

In recognition of the achievement, Vern’s is hosting a customer appreciation open house, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at the plant in Wessington.

LaVerne started his blacksmith business in 1964 “uptown where the Skeet Smith house is now” according to Ray Kleinsasser, manager of Vern’s since the early 1980s. LaVerne’s goal was to provide for his growing family of six children and to operate a repair service for the Wessington area.

In 1973 they received their first order for 20 farrowing crates, increasing their business from simple repair work to manufacturing, and changing the scope of the business as they forged into the future.

They built a shop along the Hand County line on the west end of town and changed the name of the business to Vern’s Manufacturing.

Since then the company has specialized in manufacturing livestock equipment, including bale movers, calving pens, creep feeders, feed bunks, and other various types of feeders, gates, panels, trailers and an ever-growing list of newly designed products marketed to dealers in South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana.

“A lot gets sold to feed stores, elevators, and lumber yards, who in turn sell them to their customers,” explained Ray. “We also sell to livestock producers on the retail end of things.”

The company has not been without its hardships, though nothing seems to keep them down for long. A fire destroyed the entire building and all equipment on October 21, 1976.

Seven weeks later with the help of community volunteers, a new 50 x 160-foot work area was completed, with an attached 24’x 36’ office space, including an employees room and rest room facilities. Later, a 2,000 square-foot paint shop was added.

Expansion continued with a new building added in 1994; and in 2002 a 12,000 square-foot building, to finish products and for storage, was added.

In August of 2011 straight line winds damaged the original structure built in 1976, and the building was torn down and a new one erected in its place.

A temporary office space - now used as a lodge - was built across the road. They were happy to move into the new shop/office building on June 26, 2013.

Since the beginning, Vern’s has been a family enterprise.
In the early years, LaVerne managed the business and Lorraine, his wife, did the books.

Their sons, LaDean, Leroy, Lee, Ray, and Larry all did their part. Each of the boys started working after school and on Saturdays in their early teen years.

“Dad told us we were coming to work,” said Ray. “He was trying to make a go of it and needed our help.” Their daughter LaVetta helped out by doing her share at home. “After high school we all had jobs,” Ray said, “so instead of going out into the world, we worked here.”

After the fire, some thought they should move the business to Huron, but LaVerne wanted to stay in Wessington. Farmers came in to help rebuild. The whole community came with loaders, trucks, and labor to help clean up.

LaVerne managed the business until he handed the reins over to Ray. “I’ve been the manager ever since Vern let me in the early ’80s,” said Ray. His brothers are still actively involved. LaDean and Leroy design, repair machines and weld; Lee supervises paint and delivery; and Larry is in sales.

Ray’s wife, Melony, has also been active in the business over the years, helping out in the office, welding, applying pin stripes to the trailers and designing. Lee’s wife, Cleo, helps out with cleaning.

A third and fourth generation of Kleinsassers have also contributed to the business during their high school years.

Cody, Ray and Melony’s son, is the only one to make Vern’s his full time career.

“Cody does whatever we ask him to do,” said Ray. “He does loading and delivery and is our fill-in man.” Cody’s son, Jett, also works there after school.

Over the years, Vern’s has become Wessington’s largest employer. Currently they employ 15 workers in various capacities, including metal fabricators, metal finishers, truck drivers, salesmen, and bookkeeping.

Dale Herdman has worked at Vern’s for 44 years, longer than any of the other non-family employees. His wife Deb does the bookkeeping.

The journey from blacksmith shop to a huge manufacturing business has been a constant work in progress, begun by LaVerne Kleinsasser, that has carried on for 60 years and is likely to carry on for many more to come.

As their website proclaims, Vern’s Manufacturing has been the “name” in quality livestock equipment for 60 years. Their reputation as a family business grew quickly from very humble beginnings, and continues to grow and prosper.

They attribute their success to a number of things, but mainly the support of the Wessington community. The bank helped through some tough years and the community supported them with repair work and encouragement all along the way.

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone of 60 years without each other, our community, our friends, our employees, and our customers,” says Ray.

“That’s why we want to say ‘thank you’ to our loyal friends and customers for their patronage and support over the last 60 years,” he added. “So come join us on the 25th and have a tour of Vern’s, including the new robotic welder and have lunch on us.”