– 2018 Business Inductee –
Radke Implement, Inc.
Herman Radke was just 22 years old in 1925 when he and his father Ed started Ed Radke & Son, dealers in Massey Ferguson Farm Equipment, on Ed’s farm located in Section 30, Lincoln Township, Russell County, Kansas.
In 1931 Herman took over sole ownership of the now Radke Farm Implement Company. In 1946 he moved the business a half mile south to its current location in the community of Milberger, Lincoln Township Russell County, Kansas.
Herman operated Radke Farm Implement for 39 years. His son Harlan stared with the company when only a child and eventually took over the business upon Herman’s retirement in 1970.
The company reformed under the new name of Radke Implement, Inc. on April 2, 1988 and is headquartered in Hays, Kansas. The company provides farm and agricultural equipment: tractors, combines and combines headers, tillage, seeders, hay equipment, application and mowers machinery. Radke Implement is currently estimated to generate $1.2 million in annual revenues, and employs 18 to 20 people.
On August 27, 1989, a devastating fire heavily damaged the parts & office building and destroyed another, causing $600,000 in damage to the Milberger store. But the next day Harlan was at the counter of the roofless store and selling parts to anxious farmers. That kind of service and dedication to its customers has made Radke Implement, Inc. one of the best known agricultural businesses in Kansas.
Radke Implement customers come from states across the Great Plains and Mountain West. Advertising in farming magazines and journals still brings them the most customers.
The only farm equipment dealer left in Russell County, Radke Implement looks to the future while holding onto its roots in Milberger, where Harlan Radke has been the owner/store manager for the past years. We are proud to select Radke Implement, Inc. as one of the First Class of the Russell County Kansas Hall of Fame.
* * * * * *
Thanks, Radke Implement
“Radke Implement, integrity in action. In 2018, people are hard pressed to find businesses that practice honesty, integrity and remember the value of a hard earned dollar. Most businesses today in fact involve training their employees to ‘imply’ benefits & performance to a customer they have no intention of keeping. When the customer questions the performance of the equipment or service in light of their agreement, the business response is usually ‘righteous indignation’ that you would question them, much less expect them to honor equipment performance promise.
I knew if I ever again found a real business where they say what they mean and mean what they say I would shout from the roof tops. I am delighted to state I am shouting about Harlan and Mike Radke at Radke Implement. I encourage everyone no matter how far you must travel to do business with them. Radke Implement is worth it.
Thank you, Radke Implement, for your honesty and integrity. May others be inspired by you. I know I have been.” – Carol Sladek, Cedar Vale, Kansas, Letter to the Editor, Hays Daily News, July 24, 2018.
* * * * * *
SOURCES:
Harlan Radke, Milberger, Kansas.
Salina Journal, October 23, 1989; October 30, 1989.
Great Bend Tribune, September 30, 1974.
www.hdnews.net/opinion/20180724/thanks-radke-implement
www.buzzfile.com/business/Kubota-Authorized-Dealer-785-735-2388
Top Photograph: Aerial view of Milberger, Kansas. The headquarters for Radke Implement, can be seen in the lower right of the intersection. Photograph copyright 2010 David Readio/Von Rothenberger and used with permission.
This farm building on the Ed Radke farm a half mile north of Milberger was home to Ed Radke & Son from 1925 to 1931 and to the Radke Farm Implement Company from 1931 to 1946.
The Radke Implement, Inc. Hays branch, located on Toulon Road on the east side of Hays, Kansas, opened in 1988. Photo courtesy of Von Rothenberger.