Back in the Day
Fratco believes that tomorrow belongs to those who build it, and we’re proud to be among the ranks of those who help move the industry forward every day. We also realize that our more recent accomplishments were only possible thanks to innovators of the past. Here are just a few milestone moments in engineering we’ve been fortunate to build upon, use as inspiration and see our customers benefit from in their businesses. A big thanks to all the brilliant thinkers involved in creating these incredible inventions.
Jim Vantiger
Recount the life and legacy of Iowan farmer, James “Jim” Vantiger, who built a successful farming and grain broker business, played a crucial role in Fratco’s expansion to Iowa, and remains a respected figure in his community. Known for his industrious nature, innovative problem-solving, and commitment to community and family, Jim’s story reflects the enduring values of the agricultural sector.
Excavating the Past
A century of service is defined by the people who provide it. For a multi-generational family business like Fratco, those people are a tight-knit yet ever-growing group. They’re bound together not by blood or creed but by a dedication to their customers. This article looks back on the roots of that dedication: where it started, why it grew, and how honest service, trust and old-fashioned human connection formed the bedrock of a company that has thrived for 100 years.
Meet Steve Overmyer
When Steve Overmyer stepped into his leadership role in 1978, the company was still known by most as Francesville Drain Tile—named after the small Indiana town where the original facility still resides. For the duration of Steve’s near 30-year tenure, that location remained the company’s only facility. And while Steve’s down-to-earth leadership style, natural business acumen and focus on quality service set the stage for later expansion, his heart and focus always stayed rooted in his beloved hometown.
Meet Chris Overmyer
Many things about Chris Overmyer make him a unique CEO—both in the water management sector specifically and in the business world overall. Few companies, for example, can boast that their CEO is the fourth generation of family ownership. Nor do many companies have a CEO who’s also their head of engineering.
Meet Derek Overmyer
It’s a family tradition for Overmyers to begin their careers at Fratco in the same way as any other new employee, and Derek is no exception to that custom. After six months working on the line, he’s recently graduated to making custom-fabricated fittings for dual-wall pipe. After mastering that, he’ll likely move on to driving one of Fratco’s one-ton trucks.
On The Shoulders of Giants
Fratco believes that tomorrow belongs to those who build it, and we’re proud to be among the ranks of those who help move the industry forward every day. We also realize that our more recent accomplishments were only possible thanks to innovators of the past. Here are just a few milestone moments in engineering we’ve been fortunate to build upon, use as inspiration and see our customers benefit from in their businesses. A big thanks to all the brilliant thinkers involved in creating these incredible inventions.
Off The Farm
While agricultural drainage may be a common implementation of Fratco products, many experienced contractors know that drainage technology also intersects with a wide variety of industries beyond food production.
The Perfect Fit
The town of Birmingham, Iowa doesn’t have the notoriety of the famous Alabama city that shares its name. Of course, that’s to be expected for a town that only boasts a few hundred residents—367, to be exact, according to the 2020 Census. But despite the size and population differences, Iowa’s Birmingham does have one thing that Alabama doesn’t: Lick Creek Enterprises, LLC.
Ancient Drainage
Fratco has been a leader in the modern drainage industry, but what about before the notion of industry existed at all?
In other words—how did water management practices first begin? Who gets the credit for developing this essential technology? And what did that technology look like long before the words “drainage pipe” were synonymous with “Fratco”?