Pik Rite, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of innovative, quality-built vegetable harvesting equipment, ag manure spreaders, commercial waste handling equipment, and hydro seeding units. Located in Central Pennsylvania, Pik Rite operates from manufacturing facilities that encompass 33,000 square feet, in addition to office space utilizing an additional 2,700 square foot area.   Elvin Stoltzfus and Joe Yoder, Pik Rite’s original founders, have diverse backgrounds in farming and welding shop activities. Pik Rite was incorporated in July 1986 and presently employs approximately 35 people.

  In 1983, the first tomato harvester was built for the purpose of providing a mechanical method of picking tomatoes. After a few years of testing and modifying the original machine, three Pik Rite harvesters were built in 1986. Pik Rite now holds a patent for a Double Brush Shaker System.

  Since the 1990’s, Pik Rite has experienced steady growth in sales, market coverage, and technological innovations. Pik Rite has subsequently developed and added equipment that can be used to harvest cucumbers, peppers, gourds, zucchini, squash, pumpkins and carrots. A vine windrower, which rearranges vines prior to picking, was developed in 1994. A new product to the marketplace - a plastic lifter/wrapper, was introduced in 1997.

  Pik Rite initiated its product line diversification plans and began to manufacture commercial waste handling vacuum tanks in 1998. In 2000, Pik Rite introduced the Hydra-Ram Manure Spreader, formerly known as the John Deere Hydra-Push. A vine diverter, which is used to move the tomato crop from one row to the adjoining row, was first manufactured by Pik Rite in 2001. In 2002, Pik Rite sold its first HC290 tomato harvester, designed for the larger tomato grower.

  A municipal leaf collection / compacting unit was added to Pik Rite’s line of equipment in 2005. In an effort to maintain continual growth, Pik Rite manufactured and sold a carrot harvester in 2006. Also in 2006, Pik Rite introduced and sold hydro seeding units. Pik Rite strives to be a major contender in the field of hydro seeding equipment.

Markets

  Pik Rite, Inc. is currently selling its complete line of equipment throughout the United States and abroad, and is the preeminent seller of tomato harvesters and vegetable harvesting equipment in the Midwest and Eastern sections of North America, including Ontario, Canada. Machines are also presently being used to harvest a variety of crops in Southeastern US, Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado, and Washington. In addition to the Canadian market, Pik Rite harvesters have also been exported to Russia, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Turkey, Spain and Germany.

  As the United States manufacturing sector enters the 21st century, Pik Rite continues to lead the way with production of efficient, dependable equipment, which provides its customers with the best value for the dollar. In the agricultural area, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has recognized these efforts as Pik Rite, Inc. was presented with the state’s Agribusiness Achievement Award in January 1997.