SHAFTER – Dan Nix has been hired as the new general manager of Nikkel Iron Works Corp., manufacturer of the DARF hay rake and the Nut Crowder.

Nix most recently served as operations manager/business intelligence manager for Bigham Ag in Lubbock, Texas, where he had also previously served as purchasing and inventory control manager. Previous positions include parts and service specialist in Iowa and customer account technician in North Dakota.

He holds a degree in economics/Russian language and area studies from Texas Tech University and a master of business administration from the Henry B. Tippie School of Management, University of Iowa.

“We conducted a nationwide search for this position upon the retirement of former general manager Karl Almquist,” noted Nikkel Iron Works CEO Andrew Cummings. “We are very fortunate to have Daniel on board and we’re looking forward to his leadership and his input into the future of Nikkel Iron Works.”

Nix oversees the manufacture and repair of all Nikkel product lines, as well as working with a nationwide distribution network.

“I’m very proud to be joining the Nikkel Iron Works team. NIW has a long history, a reputation for quality and a team committed to producing a world-class product. I look forward to working with our dealers and end-users to continue growing the Nikkel Iron Works brand for years to come.”

For 96 years, Nikkel Iron Works has provided quality machinery, the rugged Buffalo line of tillage tools and the DARF overhead wheel rake, known today for its durability and speed. More recently, Nikkel acquired the Valleytown Vineyard Duster line and developed the Nut Crowder, which gathers crops from the end of each lane and positions it to prevent spillage, eliminating hand raking labor.