Why is the AgWorks Corridor a competitive location for agricultural equipment manufacturers?

What makes the AgWorks Corridor an ideal place for agricultural equipment manufacturing?

How does the region's manufacturing ecosystem strengthen agricultural equipment companies?

Why do agricultural equipment manufacturers benefit from an established supplier network?

How does the AgWorks Corridor develop talent for agricultural equipment manufacturing?

How do universities and technical colleges support agricultural equipment innovation?

Where can agricultural equipment companies test and validate new technologies?

How does the AgWorks Corridor support product development and commercialization?

Why is collaboration important in agricultural equipment manufacturing?

How does the AgWorks Corridor help agricultural equipment companies grow and compete globally?

Agricultural Equipment

Including the manufacturing of machinery and tools used to produce, harvest, and manage agricultural operations.

Ecosystem Overview

Agricultural equipment manufacturing is a cornerstone industry of the AgWorks Corridor, anchored by globally recognized companies such as CLAAS, Lindsay Corporation, and Valmont. The region combines advanced manufacturing capabilities with deep agricultural expertise to support the design, production, testing, and scaling of equipment used on farms around the world. A robust network of metal fabricators, component suppliers, coating providers, and specialized manufacturers strengthens supply chain resilience, with 37% of industry supply chain purchases satisfied within the region. This manufacturing ecosystem continues to expand, with employer establishments increasing over 16% since 2019, reinforcing a growing supplier network and production base. Together, these assets create an environment where agricultural equipment manufacturers can accelerate product development, strengthen supply chains, scale production, and compete in global markets.

Aerial view of an outdoor lot filled with numerous green and white street sweepers parked in rows, with a large industrial building and other vehicles in the background. 
Photo Credits: CLAAS
Construction worker wearing a yellow safety vest with 'valmont' on the back, standing in front of large metal utility poles, with a forklift lifting one pole into place at an outdoor construction site under cloudy skies.

Workforce

Agricultural equipment companies benefit from a workforce experienced in precision machining, fabrication, assembly, automation, and systems integration—supported by generations of manufacturing expertise and a strong pipeline of technical talent. This workforce depth helps companies support complex equipment production, scale operations efficiently, and reduce hiring friction across manufacturing environments.

Photo Credits: Omaha Magazine

7,400+ specialized workers in equipment manufacturing, spanning machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and electronics integration.

48,000+ workers across relevant production occupations, creating workforce depth.

1.65× the U.S. average employment concentration, demonstrating a workforce ecosystem built around production expertise, supplier density, and long-term industry specialization.

11% workforce growth since 2019 reflecting sustained expansion and continued investment across the region’s manufacturing base.

102 employers, creating one of the corridor’s deepest manufacturing ecosystems and supporting broad supplier networks, workforce mobility, and talent availability.

A worker using an angle grinder cuts through a piece of metal, producing a shower of bright sparks.

Key Employers

Over 100 companies in ag equipment manufacturing.

Valmont logo in black with stylized letter V and check mark design.
The logo of BINMASTER in red and black with bold text.
Claasic CLAAS logo with green and red text on a white background.
Lindsay Corporation logo with black text and a red and white striped icon.
A logo with the word 'TEMPLATE' written in bold orange letters on a black background, enclosed in a white border.
Graphic logo with the names 'Kelly' and 'Ryan' in bold yellow text on red slanted background, with yellow lines extending to the right, black background.

Healthy Start-up Ecosystem

A growing network of agricultural technology startups and emerging equipment companies strengthens the region’s innovation pipeline and creates opportunities for partnerships, testing, and technology commercialization.

Close-up of a robotic device on a pile of grain or seeds, with a black compartment and control panel, illuminated by a focused light.

Photo Credits: grainweevil_robotics Instagram

Agsolaire

Grain Weevil

Greeneye Technology

Farmstead Sense

Talent Development

A connected talent ecosystem is helping grow the region’s agricultural equipment workforce, with education and training programs aligned to the needs of equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and advanced production environments. From K–12 career pathways to specialized engineering education and technical training, the region is developing talent equipped to support machining, fabrication, automation, assembly, and complex manufacturing operations.

Group of people working with welding equipment inside a large industrial workshop.

Photo Credits: Davis Design

Early Talent Pipelines

Graduation cap

Career academies aligned with agricultural equipment industry needs

Outline illustration of a microscope.

K-12 pathways aligned with advanced manufacturing, engineering, automation and skilled trades

Black silhouette of an open book with three visible pages on a plain background.

Dual-credit programs earn high school and college credit

Icon of a person inside a file or document.

Developing technical and workplace skills before entering the workforce

Research Universities Driving Innovation

University of Nebraska - Lincoln | University of Nebraska - Omaha

Key Programs

  • Agricultural Engineering

  • Agricultural Systems Technology

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Industrial and Management Systems Engineering

  • Biological Systems Engineering research and testing programs

  • Supply Chain and Operations Management

University of Nebraska-Omaha, UNO, UNO logo
The logo of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln featuring a large red letter 'N' with a white outline on a black background, and the university name written below in red and black text. UNL

Workforce-ready Technical Talent

Metropolitan Community College | Southeast Community College | Iowa Western Community College

Key Programs

  • Welding Technology

  • Welding certificates

  • Precision Machining

  • Mechatronics

  • Robotics

  • Mechanical Drafting and Design

  • Industrial Maintenance and Technical Skills Training

Southeast Community College logo with a stylized 'S' and the college's name in blue text.
Iowa Western Logo
Logo of Metropolitan Community College featuring blue geometric shapes and text.

Connected Industry Network

An integrated ecosystem of research, testing, engineering, and commercialization resources helping agricultural equipment companies accelerate product development, validate technologies, and move innovations from concept to commercial production faster.

Testing, Validation & Applied Research

Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory (NTTL) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The United States’ official tractor testing facility, conducting evaluations under globally recognized OECD standards. As part of an international network spanning 30 countries, NTTL provides manufacturers with credible, standardized performance testing and certification recognized across global markets.

Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A 3,000-acre integrated research campus featuring crop, dairy, beef, and swine operations that support applied research, pilot programs, and equipment testing at production scale. ENREEC gives companies access to real-world agricultural environments for validation, field testing, and producer engagement.

Three workers repair a large yellow construction vehicle inside a factory or workshop. The vehicle is elevated, and the workers are handling various tools and equipment on and around it.

Photo Credits: Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory

Product Development, Engineering, & Commercialization

Biological Systems Engineering | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

BSE-PI provides agricultural equipment manufacturers with access to engineering talent, applied research, and product development resources that support technology advancement and commercialization. By facilitating collaborative design, prototyping, testing, and validation, the lab helps companies reduce development timelines, improve product performance, and bring new equipment innovations to market faster.

The Combine | Invest Nebraska

Supports AgTech and agricultural equipment startups through mentorship, customer discovery, commercialization programming, and industry connections that help companies validate products, refine business models, and accelerate growth.

Aerial view of green and yellow construction and farming machinery parked in a curved formation on a concrete surface, with green grass on either side.

Photo Credits: Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Industry Leadership & Ecosystem Development

Lincoln Manufacturing Council | Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development

Supports manufacturing growth by connecting companies with workforce resources, industry partnerships, and peer networks that strengthen the regional manufacturing ecosystem. These connections help agricultural equipment companies develop workforce pipelines, strengthen supply chains relationships, and support long-term growth.

Grit Road | Omaha, Nebraska

Accelerates agricultural innovation by connecting emerging technologies with producers, industry partners, and market opportunities. Through investment, partnerships, and direct producer access, Grit Road helps companies test solutions faster and strengthen commercialization pathways.

A person wearing glasses and a gray long-sleeve shirt operating machinery in a manufacturing or industrial workshop with rolls of material and equipment around.

Photo Credits: Lincoln Manufacturing Council