Stellar Industries, Inc., celebrated its 30th anniversary in early May. While the world continues to change daily, the Iowa-based manufacturer took a moment to recognize three decades of work truck innovation designed to power customer productivity.

Stellar was founded in 1990 in Garner, Iowa, by three ambitious entrepreneurs: Francis Zrostlik, Jim Vlaanderen, and Gary Bomstad. Stellar began as the first U.S. corporation to design and manufacture a domestic hydraulic hooklift hoist. Since its inception, Stellar has added the design and manufacture of numerous products for construction, waste, mining, and many more work truck industries. Other products include mechanics trucks, service cranes, mobile drawer systems, commercial tire service trucks, lube systems, and fuel trailers.

From a small-town company with big dreams to a big-time manufacturer with grass-roots values, Stellar is proud to be a leader in innovation and industry standards after 30 years. Although they may not have been able to gather in celebration this year, Stellar Industries employees spent the week celebrating with their team and community through videos, photos, and trivia on their social media channels.

“Stellar Industries is proud to have been founded as an entrepreneurial start-up using the know-how of dedicated North Iowans to build the strong company that exists today,” said Dave Zrostlik, president of Stellar Industries. “Our transition to a majority ESOP company over these 30 years is further proof of the commitment we have to remain an independent company that quickly responds to the needs of our customers, our employees, and our communities."