Our History - RM King Company (2024)

Corporation History

R.M. King Company has been family owned and operated since its inception in 1953.

Thank you for the support and loyalty through the years! We recognize that it is our customers who keep the business growing. We believe that each employee is part of a team and everyone has an important role to play. R.M. King Company is the conduit to connect customers with the knowledge, talent and dedication of our employees.

R.M. King

Reinhart Milton King’s original occupation was in accounting. However, he left that occupation to serve his country as a B17 Bomber pilot in WWII. This began an incredible story which included (NUMBER) successful missions, being shot down, on the run, captured, living as a POW, participating in the prison break known as “The Great Escape”, and eventually making it home at the end of the war.

After German prison camp confinement during WWII Reinhart, or Reiny as many called him, knew that he could not spend his days behind a desk as an accountant. He spent the years after the war in business with his brother running an aluminum and brass foundry Minneapolis, Minnesota. Then in the early 1950’s, he moved his family away from the cold winters and humid summers to Fresno, California.

Following the introduction of mechanical cotton harvesters in the late 1940’s, the need arose for knowledgeable mechanics to service these machines. With cotton being one of California’s largest crops, it was not long before Reiny found work in that industry. The first few years of business Reiny served the industry by working out of a panel truck. Business increased and a repair shop was opened. By 1956, the first complete picker head overhaul was offered. As the overhaul business grew, the need for a quality line of aftermarket parts arose. To stay competitive, R.M. King Company began manufacturing replacement parts for cotton pickers in 1964 and spindles in 1967. By 1979 both of Reiny’s sons, Doug and Drake, had joined the company. Doug took on the responsibility of manufacturing while Drake took on management of the repair facility. In 1990 Reiny’s eldest daughter, Jeanine, joined the company. Drake’s son, Jordan, joined the company in 2005 and daughter-in-law, Sharon, in 2007. The addition of Jordan & Sharon now makes R.M. King Company a third generation company. Today, R.M. King Company offers a complete line of replacement parts for John Deere and Case IH cotton pickers in addition to its picker head services. We welcome the opportunity to assist you with whatever your cotton picker needs may be.

Timeline

1953 – Repair work is offered from a panel truck

1956 – A facility is rented and the first complete overhaul is offered

1964 – The first R.M. King line of parts are manufactured

1967 – A partnership begins manufacturing spindles

1977 – Reinhardt’s second son Drake joins the company

1979 – Reinhardt’s eldest son Doug joins the company

1980 – R.M. King Company introduces polyurethane doffer into the industry

1982 – R.M. King company acquires sole ownership of spindle manufacturing plant

1990 – Reinhardt’s eldest daughter joins the company

1997 – Chrome plating facility begins plating R.M. King spindles

2005 – Drake’s second son Jordan joins the company

2007 – Jordan’s wife Sharon joins the company

2018 – Celebrates 65 years of business