Ag and industrial equipment supplier expands to Valley
IMPERIAL — A Salinas-based agricultural and industrial supplier has expanded its footprint into Imperial Valley.
Green Rubber-Kennedy Ag (GRK) recently opened its seventh store at 116 N. J St. The address formerly belonged to Kisco Sales Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of spray and fertilizer equipment that operated stores across California.
GRK acquired Kisco’s remaining inventory, as well as its customer list and sales history, according to GRK spokesperson Ku’ulei Bounds.
In addition to the ag spray/fertilizer products that Kisco offered, Bounds said GRK will be adding a large array of industrial products used in food processing, including conveyor belting, power transmission products, hose assembly services, rubber and plastic sheet materials, and safety supplies, among many other items.
The Imperial store will employ three to five persons, Bounds said.
Although the store is open, Bounds said it is undergoing a “major renovation,” including new storefront, new roof, solar power and interior upgrades.
Plans are to hold a grand opening event once the renovations are complete, Bounds said.
GRK began as a family company. In 1990 John Green Sr. and his son, John P. Green, founded Green Rubber, a small conveyor belting shop focused on the agricultural and food processing industries in Salinas. In 2003, Green Rubber merged with the Kennedy Bros., a spray and fertilizer business with retail and repair service locations.
Further growth has continued through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. In 2011 GRK acquired Valley Drummotor Great West (VDGW), western region master distributor for Van Der Graaf drum motors, used to power conveyor belt systems. GRK said the VDGW products and services directly complemented its belting lines and allowed more vertical integration of the business.
In 2020, GRK acquired Urethane Specialists, Inc. (USI), to add to their existing urethane division that focuses on manufacturing highly durable urethane rollers and parts for conveyor systems, heavy equipment, and machine components. USI is a manufacturer of precision urethane parts for food processing, pharmaceuticals, printing, packaging, manufacturing and assembly, and shipping and distribution. USI specializes in high-precision, high-reliability, small parts manufacturing.
“USI is capable of achieving tolerances with urethane that most manufacturers wouldn’t attempt with metals,” GRK’s John P. Green said.