The California Young Farmers hold a variety of educational topic meetings each year, as well as a tour of local agribusinesses.
This year, the group toured Willow Fork Pallet Company and Sydenstricker Implements, both just south of Tipton on Highway 5. The tour took place on Feb. 23.
As the company name indicates, Willow Fork Pallet Company builds, repairs and rebuilds pallets. There are several grades of wood used to make the pallets, based on what the purchaser orders. Some want a little better grade, to make certain the pallet doesn't collapse due to the weight. There are different sizes and different woods. The pallet wood, mostly either oak or pine, is obtained from a number of sources. The wood is heat treated, partially to dry it out and partially to eliminate any possibility of spreading insects or diseases.
When the company was founded in 1999, much of the construction was hands-on. A basic frame was used to set the size and put the pallet together and the rest of the means of production was for the most part hands on. A major part of the pallet construction involves the use of special saws to obtain the correct size of wood cut from larger pieces. As with many industries, in which improved safety is at the forefront, technology has improved the entire operation. Although people are still involved, the pallets are now constructed with safer machinery operations, including nailing them together. The completed pallets are now stacked automatically before being transported to the storage area. Much of the work is repairing and rebuilding old pallets. A special band saw cuts the nails in the repairable pallets. Then they are then put back together with whatever new wood pieces are needed.
Even the mulch operation has been upgraded. At one time, the mulch was sold in bulk. Now the mulch is made via a machine the size of a medium-sized truck, then bagged, packed and placed on pallets for shipping to the vendors. As of 2014, Daren and Audrey Williams own the company. Joe Schmit is plant manager.
Sydenstricker Implements is in the midst of remodeling and expansion work. When the work is completed, it will be about double the current square footage. Being added is a 200-by-90-foot shop (180-by-90-feet working area), with four large access doors and floor heat. A crane is also to be installed to help unload equipment. Since the larger equipment is often shipped without wheels, the crane will help in lifting it so the wheels can be put on. One of the important features is a 40-foot wide door. This will allow some of the larger combines to be worked on inside without removing the headers. There is also a new 100-by-30-foot parts department.
An older part of the building, also 100-by-30-feet, is being remodeled. An older part of the building, also 100-by-30 feet, is being remodeled. When a wall is removed, that area will become part of an enlarged showroom. There will be an increase in mechanics and parts department staff, and private offices for the sales people. Scotty Hirst is the store manager.