Adult ag group visits local manufacturer

During an Adult Ag Education tour of Rackers manufacturing, owner Charles Rackers stands beside some metal which will become columns and explains how some of the metal is shaped, then either painted or galvanized. Photo by David Wilson.

By David Wilson

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

About two dozen people took part in a tour arranged by Dale Hodges, California Adult Ag Education Coordinator on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The tour was of agriculture-related manufacturing businesses in Moniteau County, of which Rackers Manufacturing was the California location visited.

Photo by David Wilson

John Schneider, Rackers Manufacturing, demonstrates welding for those on the Adult Ag Education tour on Feb. 9.

Owner Charles Rackers, assisted by John Schneider and Matt McKinzie, led the tour of the facility, explaining the history of the business and its changing product lines.

Photo by David Wilson

Visitors to Rackers Manufacturing with the Adult Ag Education tour check out stair rails drying after having been painted. From left are Brandon Klein, Robert Potter, Ross Potter and, between the rails, Lee Longan.

Rackers dates the business from the incorporation date of June 30, 1972 — nearly 40 years ago.

Photo by David Wilson

Charles Rackers, back to the camera on the right, shows the Adult Ag Education tour group a frame for an electric generator packed and ready to load on a truck for shipment to the setup site. The package weighs about 7,500 pounds and can be loaded into a shipping container if necessary.

California Democrat