Towey Construction

In 1946, after serving in World War II as a marine, Robert B. Daugherty began to look for a business opportunity. Daugherty recognized the potential of a small manufacturing company owned by inventor Sam McCleneghan. After consideration, Daugherty invested virtually his entire life savings $5,000 in the company, which was situated on a farm just west of Valley, Neb. It was named Valley Manufacturing and began building farm elevators. In 1967, the company's name changed to Valmont Industries to avoid confusion with other companies using Valley in their name. The company has become a global manufacturer of engineered support structures for infrastructure, mechanized irrigation equipment for agriculture, and coating services and tubular products. Products are lighting poles, cellular towers, powder coatings, mechanized irrigation systems and custom-made tubing used for mufflers, fire extinguishers and other industrial applications. Valmont s customers include agricultural product distributors and manufacturers, department of transportations, farmers, municipalities and utilities. Valmont's 2005 fiscal year net earnings were $39.1 million. The company, which operates nearly 45 facilities in 14 countries throughout the world, has its corporate headquarters in Omaha, Neb.