The company's Deshler, Nebraska, plant was struck by a series of tornadoes June 22. Reinke, a manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems and over-the-road trailer/chassis equipment, announced that its irrigation divison is fully functioning, just two days after a tornado damaged its 80-acre plant.
The company has limited trailer/chassis production capabilities but Bob Friehe, Reinke president, expects the division to resume normal production by the middle of next week.
Reinke offices are in full operation — incoming freight is being received, and all utilities have been restored to the plant.
During the storm, the east end of the main trailer/chassis production building was damaged, a corner of the roof on the east end of the main office building was partially lifted up, and several overhead doors on other buildings were blown off. Irrigation and trailer/chassis parts inventories were not damaged.
Repairs have begun on all affected areas, new overhead doors are being installed and all debris has been removed from the plant site. Engineers have deemed all buildings stable, and Reinke’s irrigation employees have returned to work today on all shifts. Many trailer/chassis employees are on site assisting in the restoration.
"I want to thank the Reinke employees and volunteers who have worked around the clock to get our irrigation production and shipping up and running in an impressive two days,” Friehe said. “We’re now fully capable and prepared to handle the system production demands of the upcoming busy watering season.”