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In 1947 John N. Dodgen, together with his brothers Joe and Jack started Dodgen Industries. Later their father C.W. joined the firm. Early products were farm loaders, stalk cutters, power washers, and Grain-o-Vator unloading farm wagons. Later the company designed and manufactured bulk feed handling trucks for farm cooperatives and feed mills. As time went on, pelletizers were designed to convert roughages into pellets for the convenience of storage and feeding. Eventually the product line included semi-trailers with unloading belts and augers long range, large size loads.
In 1969, the company diversified by designing a new and innovative RV camper to fit on pickup trucks. A unique name was chosen and the products became known as "Born Free" with the philosophy of living a live of freedom and enjoyment. During the early 70's the company expanded the camper production and designed the first Born Free RV motor home built on a Dodge chassis with 440 cubic inch engine.
In 1975, Ford re-designed the Econoline cutaway chassis and moved the engine forward to improve the cab roominess. Dodgen Industries immediately molded a new motor home body to fit Ford's chassis, and began production. Made from molded fiberglass, the new off-white Born Free Motor home began winning awards for aerodynamic styling and fuel economy. The unique shape was not used by any other company in the industry at that time, but in today's world most companies have moved to copy the design to reach acceptable handling and fuel efficiency.
By 1977, Dodgen Industries introduced mobile veterinary clinics as a commercial product. Thirty four years later Dodgen veterinary clinics are the leader in their class, and Dodgen Industries now celebrates a long history in Commercial Products. Spay and Neuter clinic models and animal transport vehicles have joined the veterinary product lineup.
In the early 1980's, Dodgen produced it's "Showmobile" line of products primarily used by copy machine sales reps and clothing apparel and golf equipment suppliers. The Showmobile product line was designed to allow sales reps of any product a fast and easy way to show their products to more clients per day with less manual handling. Through the many years, sales of new Showmobiles have continued to customers such as Taylor Made Golf, Titleist, Ben Hogan, Izod, Wilson, MacGregor Golf and Clothing, Columbia Sportswear, Motorola, and Bell South, just to name a few.
During the late 80's Dodgen added mobile laboratories, and custom-built commercial trailers for business use. Laboratory vehicles today include models for air, soil, water, and human drug testing.
As the 1990's began, Dodgen added medical treatment vehicles, dental clinics, police command posts, and hot air balloon chase vehicles, (now also known as "Toy Haulers"). The police vehicles grew into models for command operations, communications, SWAT officer transports, crime labs, and public relations vehicles. In addition Dodgen builds many one-of-a-kind custom vehicles for specific needs, and for customer's who demand quality construction that will last.
Since the beginning of the new Millennium, Dodgen has added Mobility vehicles to the product lines. These specialty vehicles are designed for owners with handicaps or mobility limitations, who want an easy way to travel. Specialty lifts, ramps, tie-downs and other unique features are offered, and the design is laid out around the owner's health issues.
Today Dodgen offers products built on the Ford Econoline chassis models (E350 and E450); products built on Chevrolet Express cutaway truck chassis versions; products built on the Ford F-450 and F-550 series chassis, and select models built on Freightliner M2-106 medium duty trucks. Dodgen retains its status as one of the oldest chassis pool accounts with Ford Motor Company, and is a member of the Quality Vehicle Modifier Program with Ford (a.k.a. QVM Program). Dodgen has been awarded its certificate with QVM each time on a single visit by Ford Engineering.
Dodgen Industries still is a small, privately held-corporation home-based in Humboldt, Iowa USA. John N. Dodgen is the President and Owner of the company; Dennis Day is Vice President/Commercial Division; and Julie Day serves as Office Administrator and HR Director. Dodgen Products are marketed nation and world wide from our home office and factory in Humboldt, Iowa. We sell select products to Federal, State, and Local Governments via our GSA contract GS-30F-0006R. Dodgen Industries is also on the approved vendor list with Transport Canada, and offers select commercial as well as RV models for export to that country.
Mr. Dodgen is a Disabled American Veteran, making our firm both a Small Business and a select business for certain government buyers attempting to meet contract purchasing criteria. We attend major shows for all of our products around the United States annually, and work with U.S. and International prospects by way of the Internet at www.dodgen-bornfree.com. The company employs approximately 50 employees and has over 110,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Dodgen maintains its own fiberglass manufacturing division known as Cabinet Masters; our own sewing operation; Production assembly and subassembly stations; Quality Control and Testing Department; Indoor Showroom; and Office complex. Products are marketed under the trade names Born Free Motorcoach and Dodgen Mobile Technologies.
Thank you for your interest in our company. We look forward to doing business with you!
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