MTS And Kimbell Gin Machinery Join Forces

Module Truck Systems, Inc. (MTS) has purchased the assets of Kimbell Gin Machinery Company (KGM), including Diamond K Manufacturing. The two Lubbock-based manufacturers have been supplying essential equipment, parts and service to cotton gins across the Cotton Belt for many years and the leaders of both companies are excited to have the opportunity to combine their experienced and talented teams and their product lines.

Richard (Dick) Kimbell founded KGM in Earth, Texas, in 1954, and moved it to its current location in Lubbock in 1964. His son, Wylie Kimbell, has led the company since 1979. KGM is known for building efficient, highly durable centrifugal fans, cleaners, module feeders, dryers and other components for today’s high-capacity cotton gins. The company’s current president, Donnie Wren, has been with KGM since 1989. He and his wife, Dondra Kimbell Wren, will continue to manage the KGM operations at their current location, 226 NE Loop 289 in Lubbock.

Adrian Salazar, MTS director of manufacturing, welds some pipe for a gin.

Wren said, “I believe combining the engineering, fabrication and service talent of these companies will provide cotton gins and other industries a unique, reliable source for traditional and innovative new products. Our employees are excited to join the MTS team and provide our customers with great products and service.”

The history of MTS goes back to the introduction of the cotton module truck in 1974. The company has been led since 1996 by its chairman, Curtis Griffith. MTS has been the leader for many years in the number and quality of module trucks moving cotton from the field to the gin from Virginia to California. Since 2002, it has been located at 2010 East 50th Street in Lubbock.

Dolle Barker purchased control of the company in 2020 and today is its president and CEO. Under her leadership, MTS acquired Mettran, Inc. including the Gene Winn designs for the hot shelf dryer, the Big Mach cleaner and the Winn module feeder, among others that have become increasingly popular in the cotton gin industry. MTS also designs, builds and refurbishes equipment for TxDOT and other area businesses.

Barker said, “We are working to diversify MTS while still being the preferred source for cotton module trucks. Bringing together the awesome teams of these two historic companies will give us the engineering and fabrication talent and tools to be the vendor of choice for not only the products they have built for many years but for many new products as well. We will continue to operate both companies in their current locations for now but are looking forward to bringing them together in a brand-new facility in the near future.”

Module Truck Systems, Inc. provided this information.
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NEW I-9 Published

The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services has announced the development of a new I-9 Employment Eligibility Form. All new hires or re-hires after Nov. 1, 2023, must use this form.

The latest form is now only one page and is expected to be simpler for both employers and employees. There are also new instructions for the new form and the ability to use it with E-Verify if you have “remote” employees. While this last bit isn’t necessarily the most important for cotton gins, we wanted to make you aware of it just in case.

The updated I-9 form can be found by going to www.uscis.gov/i-9. Please follow that link to download the form, instructions and M-274 Handbook. The new form is for new hires, re-hires and re-verification. The re-verification process is supposed to be clearer and easier to understand, which and when certain documents need to be re-verified.

More information can be found at the I-9 Central page. The M-274 Manual is LONGER and has specific instructions for H-2A employers. It contains language that seasonal workers are considered continued employment if the employee leaves because the work ran out and came back when the work returned. Otherwise, you need to file a new I-9 or use the re-verification section, Supplement B (Formerly Section 3).

Information from Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association.

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