Ritchie Industries Appoints Chad Huyser as Chief Executive Officer
CONRAD, Iowa — Ritchie Industries, a leading manufacturer of livestock watering products backed by Granite Creek Capital Partners announced the appointment of Chad Huyser as chief executive officer.
Huyser will lead Ritchie’s next phase of growth, building on the company’s 105-year legacy of innovation, quality and reliability.
Building on Ritchie’s strengths
In his role, Huyser will guide Ritchie’s next phase of growth while supporting the people, products and stakeholder relationships that have made the company a trusted leader in livestock watering. He will focus on continuing Ritchie’s tradition of product innovation, expanding solutions for end users and further elevating Ritchie’s role in modern livestock production while preserving the values that have long defined the brand.
“We find ourselves at a significant inflection point across agriculture,” Huyser said. “Today’s landscape is shaped by evolving dynamics that impact our customers’ decisions every day. Our role is to stay deeply connected to producers and their needs, while continuing to innovate in ways that improve efficiency, simplify management, and support our customers’ long-term success.”
Huyser’s vision is centered on advancing durable, energy-efficient watering solutions while exploring technology that enables producers to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
“Reliable access to drinking water is one of the most important drivers of animal health and performance,” Huyser said. “By continuing to deliver reliable solutions for producers, while thoughtfully integrating smart, practical technology, we have the opportunity to turn something as fundamental as water into a true on-farm advantage.”
Experience rooted in ag, focused on the future
As a proud “Iowa farm kid,” Huyser grew up on a Central Iowa livestock and row-crop operation, where he developed a deep-rooted passion for agriculture that continues to guide his work today.
“We have both a unique opportunity as well as a responsibility to be a collective voice in agriculture,” Huyser said. “Our industry is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact in feeding a growing population, but that position cannot be taken for granted, especially given the challenges facing our producers and owners. Agriculture is not an easy business, yet it remains some of the most rewarding work carried out by families across the country and around the world every single day.”
Huyser comes to Ritchie with nearly 30 years of global leadership experience across equipment manufacturing, finance, operations, and sales and marketing. His career includes roles with Vermeer Corporation, ARGO Tractors, De Lage Landen and Lely International. He most recently served as president and managing director for Lely North America, where he oversaw all regional operations and led the organization through significant growth and expansion during his 19-year tenure.
“We are excited to welcome Chad to Ritchie,” said John Paul Owen, chief commercial officer at Ritchie. “Having worked with Chad for nearly a decade at Lely North America, I have seen firsthand his ability to build great teams, support strong brands and stay closely connected to customers. I look forward to what the future holds for Ritchie under his leadership.”
“Chad brings global leadership experience, a deep-rooted understanding of Ritchie’s agricultural end markets and a strong record of supporting customer-focused growth,” said Jim Clark, partner at Granite Creek Capital Partners. “We’re excited for his leadership as Ritchie continues to evolve and serve producers with the reliable solutions and customer-first values that have defined the company for generations.”
Under Huyser’s leadership, Ritchie is well-positioned to build on its strong foundation and bring together reliability, innovation and practical technology to help producers keep one of the most essential elements of any livestock operation flowing: water.
“Stepping into a role held by only a select few leaders over Ritchie’s more than 100-year history is an exceptionally rare opportunity,” Huyser said. “I’m proud to help steward this iconic brand forward.”
About Ritchie Industries
Founded in 1921, Ritchie Industries has spent over a century serving livestock producers with dependable, innovative solutions. From inventing the first automatic waterer to becoming a global leader in livestock hydration, Ritchie has remained true to its core values: do the right thing, have a passion for the brand, embrace innovation, and be dependable.
Built by hardworking people who care, Ritchie automatic waterers are trusted by producers across the world for their durability, efficiency, and animal health benefits. Designed to reduce labor, conserve water, and operate reliably in all seasons, Ritchie products are built to last — saving producers time and money year after year.
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