Ag Express Acquires The Daugherty Companies

Warren, Indiana, January 2, 2020 — In a joint announcement today, the principals of Ag Express Electronics, Inc. of Des Moines, IA and The Daugherty Companies, Inc. of Warren, IN announced that effective January 1, 2020 Ag Express has acquired the assets of the manufacturing and distribution divisions of The Daugherty Companies. The business will continue to operate in the Warren facilities and current employees will be retained. Adam Douglas, former COO and shareholder of The Daugherty Companies will become the Warren Facility Manager for Ag Express. David Daugherty, CEO has retired after nearly 56 years in the business founded by his father.

The Daugherty Companies traces its roots back more than 80 years to March of 1939 when H. L. (Hack) Daugherty founded Warren Farm Supply, a dealership of Case Farm Equipment and Studebaker Automobiles. The chronology of the business in addition to the retail dealership includes representation of agricultural equipment manufacturers throughout the Midwest and the distribution, design and manufacture of agricultural electronics. In 2011, Alliance Group Technologies-Kokomo was acquired by Daugherty and later relocated to 9th St. in Warren. A precision ag business, Elite Ag Solutions was sold in 2016.

Currently, The Daugherty Companies, Inc. manufactures The Vanguard System® of electronic seed and flow monitors, various GPS speed devices, OEM wiring harnesses for major farm equipment manufacturers and low volume-high mix electronic builds. The sale includes Alliance Group Technologies, The Vanguard System®, ag=electronics.com and agdusa.com The Daugherty Companies, Inc. corporate entity will remain in business with Mike Daugherty and the Ag-Serv Division continuing to provide area producers with installation, repair and technology service.

Dave Daugherty expressed his satisfaction with the transaction, indicating that the two companies have worked closely for nearly thirty years and trace their ag electronic roots back to common origins. “The synergy created by combining the resources of the two companies will open up mgreat opportunities for growth in the specialty electronic market,” said Daugherty.

Ag Express® Electronics is a 100% employee-owned, Des Moines, IA-based company specializing in the repair, calibration, and maintenance of electronics equipment used in the agricultural industry. Additional services include the design and production of custom wiring harnesses and after-market interfacing of competitive OEM implements and machinery. Founded in 1992, Ag Express serves customers primarily in North America, but also globally from facilities in Grand Island, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Sulphur Springs, Indiana. More at www.agexpress.com.

Ag Express Electronics’ Company President Craig Murphy commented, “This is an exciting time to be a part of Ag Express! The joining of these companies expands engineering and production capabilities and fits with Ag Express’ mission of Providing Possibilities.”