2025
“Working with the Nebraska MEP has been a momentum builder for our company. It’s helped us improve operations, spark new ideas, and stay competitive in a fast-changing industry. Their support has made it easier to identify areas for growth and act. Whether it be a new investment we are considering, or lean processing creation, the Nebraska MEP is our first call.”
Alex Brehmer, Vice President
Peer-to-Peer Shared Experience Produces Success
Brehmer Manufacturing, Inc. is a farming equipment manufacturer specializing in fertilizer tenders and hog equipment for growers looking to increase their efficiency and output. The company was established in 1974 to address the needs of local farmers. It grew rapidly and now employs 50, and is based in Lyons, NE. By the early 2000s, Brehmer Manufacturing had become a recognized name among agricultural circles in Eastern Nebraska, Western Iowa, and Southern South Dakota. They had also begun making waves globally with Tire Resource Systems—now Eagle International—with tire recycling products reaching customers in 27 countries worldwide. The company’s dedication to quality and customer service was further underscored by its participation in programs like Nebraska Business Development Center’s Lean Manufacturing, which aimed at optimizing operations and driving efficiency.
Situation
Brehmer has been a family-owned business, begun in 1974 by Rey Brehmer, now led by son Joe Brehmer. Alex Brehmer, the grandson of the founder, is now the current Vice President of the company. Since he has spent most of his career at Brehmer Manufacturing, Alex didn’t have much exposure to how other manufacturers operate and was looking for new ideas that would continue to drive Brehmer forward. The Nebraska MEP Peer Group was a way for Brehmer to start building a kind of “advisory board”—a group of other manufacturing leaders that “I can reach out to anytime for advice or feedback,” added Alex. “This aspect of the group has been especially valuable, giving me a trusted group to bounce ideas off of.”
Solution
After Brehmer Manufacturing’s successful Strategy Development engagement with the Nebraska MEP, Alex Brehmer joined the Nebraska MEP’s Manufacturing Peer Group to engage with other manufacturing leaders, visit other facilities and operations, share pain points, successful solutions and learn new strategies to strengthen their individual companies. After joining the group, Alex learned how to best launch a company profit-sharing program from others who had experience implementing it themselves. “While retaining key employees was part of the goal, the bigger reason for implementing the profit-sharing structure was to give everyone a real reason to come to work and feel like their efforts matter,” says Alex. “We wanted our team to see that their hard work could directly pay off and help them build the kind of life they want. A company’s true purpose is fulfilled only when its success leads to a better life for everyone involved.”
Results
“As a company, we know that growth depends on everyone contributing ideas—not just leadership,” added Brehmer. “Profit-Sharing helps create that sense of ownership and involvement. Since putting it in place, we have seen turnover drop almost 25%, and the number of job applications has doubled. That tells us people are not only staying—they’re excited to join.”
| $1,200,000 in increased sales |
|
| $750,00 in retained sales |
| $250,000 in cost savings |
| $100,000 in new products and processes |
|
| $80,000 in increased investment |
