History of Hesco, Inc. /Dakota Organic Products

Hesco, Inc. was started in 1985 as a small family business by Bruce and Colleen Hestad. Having been in a family seed business for the previous 12 years, the Hestads saw an opportunity to utilize their experience in providing quality grain products to other industries. Their mission was to identify markets that needed production experience and attention to quality to meet the customers' needs.

Hesco was able to identify a variety of niche markets. Developing these markets and an unwavering commitment to superior quality and customer service were the attributes that led to the growth of the company.

The Hestads also knew that quality people would make the difference in the long term growth and success of Hesco. The focus on quality people was not just with Hesco employees, but, in the development of a network of vendors and suppliers that would add value to the sales process and, in the end, Hesco’s customers.

Currently, Hesco maintains customers that have been with us 10 or more years. Hesco has earned that loyalty from our customers by focusing on delivering products that meet or exceed customer expectations every day. We service customers from Fortune 500 companies, snack food companies, bakeries, prepared foods and cereal manufacturers as well as distributors. We also sell to pet food manufacturers, flour mills, livestock producers and bird food manufacturers. The common factor in all of these areas is their need for high quality grain products, strict safety procedures and traceability.

In September 2008, The Hestads sold the company to Lesli and Rick Hanson, Brad Hennrich and Travis Sitter. This group represented the core executive management team since 2005. The transition to new ownership was seamless as the key elements were in place for continued success.

As the new ownership team looks to the future, we will continue to focus on the commitment to superior quality, customer service, team development and support, and long term relationships with all people and companies we serve.