On Thursday, FORCE America Inc., the modern version of that company, formally broke ground for a 32,000 square foot facility that will meet the needs of the company in its hometown for years to come.

“It started right here in Fort Dodge,” John Stenz, executive chairman of FORCE America Inc., told those gathered in the Decker Development Park for the ground breaking ceremony.

“This is an incredible environment to work in,” he added. “Not every city and not every county is as welcoming and pro business as Fort Dodge and Webster County.”

Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, thanked FORCE America Inc. for its “unwavering commitment to our community.”

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
John Stenz, executive chairman of FORCE America Inc., talks about the company’s connection to Fort Dodge during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning.

Mayor Matt Bemrich and Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad added their thanks and congratulations. Bemrich noted that the new facility represents a more than $10 million investment.

The new building will be located at the intersection of First Avenue South and 42nd Street in the Decker Development Park.

Stenz said sales, including a retail counter; sales support; and inventory will be located there. He said the workers will also assemble hydraulic equipment from components delivered from the company’s manufacturing sites.

Located in the building will be a maker space that employees can use in their off hours to work on their own projects. There will also be a workout room and a cafeteria.

Sande Construction and Supply Co., of Humboldt, is the general contractor. Baker Electric, Winger Mechanical and Rasch Construction, all of Fort Dodge, are primary subcontractors.

To give the project its formal start, local officials and company leaders plunged golden-colored shovels into a trough full of dirt. The wind picked up just as they hefted the shovels, sending dirt flying in a way usually not seen at ground breakings.

The original company was started by Edward Pederson and Lyle Sells. It was purchased by employees in 1986.

In 1997, it merged with Mid-America Power Drives to become FORCE America Inc.

Now headquartered in Savage, Minnesota, it has 650 employees working in places across the country from Pennsylvania to Washington.

FORCE America hydraulic systems can be found on tractors, utility company boom trucks, tree trimming trucks, construction machinery and garbage trucks.

The company joins MidAmerican Energy and Moeller Furnace and Air in the Decker Development Park.

The new building is expected to be completed in the spring of 2026.

FORCE America currently has a building on North 25th Street. Future plans for it have not been announced.