In July 1998, Harper Industries, Inc. (HII), a group formed by the management team, purchased the assets of DewEze Manufacturing. DewEze Manufacturing was founded in the early 1970’s by an entrepreneur who was looking for a market for a machine he had designed to move small square bales. With the arrival of the large round bale in 1976, DewEze produced a pickup-mounted unit that could move two round bales at once. The hydraulic systems used in the bale moving technology were also sold for commercial uses such as aerial lifts, wreckers, dump bodies and snow removal equipment. 

In 1984, the DewEze Flatbed, a hay bed for pickups, was introduced at the Kansas State Fair. Its style and rugged features were well received by cattlemen everywhere.  

In 1986, DewEze engineers ventured into the turf arena, introducing an innovative, two-wheeled, self-leveling mower. The machine featured dual floating decks and was capable of mowing all types of terrain, including hillsides that other machines could not handle.

In 1992, some features of the MC-70 and MC-144 were redesigned into the ATM 72, a very popular 72” diesel all-terrain mower.  At that time, DewEze added the ATM (All-Terrain Mower) trademark.

Since the formation of HII in 1998, the company has grown significantly, almost doubling the number of employees to 90 and building three additions to the plant, bringing the total square feet of the manufacturing, warehouse and office space under roof to nearly 120,000. HII continues to expand its product lines, both through internal growth and external acquisitions.   

In November 2001, HII purchased certain assets of Goossen Industries, Beatrice , NE , from the Toro Corporation. The Goossen line is made up of high-quality turf and landscaping products.

In July 2003, HII entered into a marketing agreement with ETESIA, a French manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, to distribute our ATM mowers in the European Community.

Currently the company focuses on three market areas

• Agricultural equipment
• Hydraulic power systems
• Turf Equipment