RHS TIMELINE

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1980

‘Rick Heiniger Sales’ was founded as a sole proprietorship for the purpose of distributing supplies for fertilizing and spraying in Northeast Kansas.  The office was located in a farm house five miles south of Fairview, KS.  Inventory was maintained in the garage of the house.  The business was intended to supplement income for the farm which was facing drought and difficult economic times.

1981

The name changed from ‘Rick Heiniger Sales’ to RHS to improve image as a real company as opposed to a person working alone out of a trunk.

1983

RHS began selling sprayers for Rockey Mfg. Co. (RMC Sprayers) in Hiawatha.

1984

A contract was signed with RMC to exclusively distribute equipment in a 4 state area.

1985

Began engineering work on the first RHS branded product, the Eagle Pickup Sprayer for custom applicators. Early models were manufactured by RMC. Hired the first employees, Dave Eisenbise and Bill Burdick as a salesman. Began construction of a 48’ x 84’ building in Hiawatha, KS. The move from Fairview to Hiawatha was made in November, 1985.

1987

The business plan changed from distribution to manufacturing. RHS became a Kansas corporation. RHS purchased the assets of RMC in Hiawatha and began manufacturing operations under RHS. The Eagle Pickup Sprayer was formally introduced as an add-on flatbed chassis sprayer.

1989

Introduced three major new products. Light weight FiberWorks™ Booms, RHS Foam Markers & AutoGlide™ Ultrasonic Boom Height Control. Added a 90’ x 110’ Assembly Building for Eagle Sprayers.

1990

Began development work on an RHS Chemical Injection control system.

1990

Began supplying ultrasonic boom height controls to Toro under the trade name Sonic Boom™.

1991

Rick Heiniger is recognized as Kansas Small Business Person of the Year. Began production of the integrated framemounted Eagle Sprayer.

1993

First international foam marker shipment to Australia. Under contract with a third party, developed the commercial version of what is now known as ‘Synchro™’ Variable Droplet Size Spray Nozzle. The Ice Eagle has landed! First Ice Eagle delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1993. Provided Ice Eagles to Argentina Air Force in 1994.

1995

Anticipating the growing demand for an ultra high quality pull type sprayer, RHS purchased Bestway Sprayers from Ritchie Industries, a brand known for quality.

All assets were moved from Conrad, IA to Hiawatha, KS. The existing Bestway models were replaced with more advanced RHS designs and distribution was expanded. Ceased manufacturing the Eagle Pickup Sprayer.

Finished most Bestway redesigns and initial overhaul of Bestway distribution. Beginning in 1997, under contract with John Deere Turf division, developed a sprayer for use in golf course management. It is still in production today.

1998

Beginning in 1998, in cooperation with Rhone Poulenc, RHS designed, manufactured and sold the PPS precision placement system to apply Regent insecticide with planters. This was the first experience selling and servicing direct to farmers over a large geographic area.

1999

After two years of planning, began development work on the Outback S™ GPS guidance system in cooperation with Satloc. Introduced revolutionary new Bestway Field Pro III, 90’ front fold FiberWorks spray boom on a 1600 gallon pull type chassis.

2000

In December, introduced the Outback S™. This along with a new Outback distribution system designed to give local service for GPS products. Introduced the 1200 gallon x 80’ Bestway Field Pro III.

2001

Opened Outback Canada in Winnepeg, Manitoba. Introduced the 1000 gallon x 60’ Bestway Field Pro III.

2002

Opened Outback/Bestway Regional Offices in Waco, Texas and Ames, Iowa. Introduced the Outback 360™.

2003

Introduced Outback Hitch™. Opened Outback/Bestway Regional Offices in Hastings, Nebraska.

2004

Opened new Bestway production facility. Introduced Outback eDrive™.