Top of the Chain with Loren “Digger” Graber

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER DIGGER SPECIALTIES

Visionaries change the world. These leaders create their path, guided by principles they feel serves them well and benefits others in their field of influence. Loren “Digger” Graber is a visionary. The founder of Digger Specialties, he has created an impressive company and uses his talents to create positive change in his company and around the world.

YOU FOUNDED DIGGER SPECIALTIES 39 YEARS AGO. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN WITHIN THE COMPANY SINCE 1984?

DSI has grown from a small company manufacturing and selling vinyl fencing out of a small shop in Bremen, Indiana to manufacturing, producing, and selling vinyl and aluminum fencing and gates - large entry, cantilever, and aluminum frame. DSI also manufacturers railing and columns under the Westbury and PolyRail brands. We now have six plants in five states: Indiana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Missouri.

WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU OBSERVED IN THE FENCING INDUSTRY OVERALL IN THE LAST 10 OR 20 YEARS?

Fencing trends have continued to evolve in the 39 years that DSI has been manufacturing fencing. The trend from wood to vinyl then to metals, specifically aluminum for DSI, has created some great opportunities in outdoor living.

Vinyl colors were basic whites and now the trend is to have darker colors to accent and highlight outdoor spaces and lifestyles. Aluminum fencing provides an opportunity to use the darker colors that vinyl cannot offer as well as offering a secure perimeter. We have also seen the trend of combining materials such as our Designer Fencing which has an aluminum frame for strength and durability with an infill of your choice, such as vinyl, wood, or whatever the homeowner envisions.

WHAT LED TO YOU ESTABLISHING THE COMPANY?

I was managing our family farm and needed an additional source of income to maintain the farm and my growing family.

Digger Specialties first began as a custom bending process for vinyl frames for various furniture applications, such as lawn furniture. A vinyl fence firm asked me to build a fence around a racetrack in Flint, Michigan. That was the birth of a new company - Digger Specialties began with the market potential for this relatively new product. In 1984, Digger Specialties, Inc. was established for the sole purpose of manufacturing and selling vinyl fencing and related maintenance-free products.

The journey to the current facility in Bremen, Indiana began in my basement, then to my garage, then to a farm building, and then to Bremen. Growth from there to other states has been a rewarding experience.

WHICH CAME FIRST – YOUR NICKNAME, OR THE COMPANY NAME?

My nickname. Graber in German means to dig. Some of my Amish classmates tagged me with the nickname. The name stuck and I began to use it as my CB handle and then the name of my company.

YOU’VE HAD STEADY GROWTH OVER THE YEARS, BOTH WITH NEW FACILITY LOCATIONS AND NEW PRODUCTS. IF YOU ZOOM OUT, WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR TAKEAWAYS?

The new locations enable us to be closer to our customers, limits freight damage, and helps to spread our labor pool. Having facilities in multiple states and locations can also be challenging to manage but we feel it pays off in the big picture. Adding additional product lines to these manufacturing facilities enables us to go where the market is demanding.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF GROWTH YOU’VE ACHIEVED?

We keep adjusting to new products and markets as trends and consumer demands change. Also, it is important to keep the company financially stable by reinvesting into the company.

AS CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER, WHAT DOES THAT TITLE MEAN TO YOU? WHY WAS IT CHOSEN INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL ‘CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’?

Where there is no vision, there is no future. I believe by using the CVO title, it constantly reminds me to use the gifts God best fitted me with. Visionaries create, that is what large organizations tend to overlook.

DESCRIBE YOUR COMMITMENT TO MANUFACTURING YOUR PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

One of my core values is to give people opportunities to thrive in this country. Manufacturing our products in the US provides us with better control over the quality of our products as well as our inventory.

As COVID proved, having a US-based work force allows better control of the supply chain and better customer satisfaction.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS INCREASED IN THE FEW YEARS?

Our business has doubled in the last five years and tripled in the last 10 years.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY AWAY FROM THE OFFICE?

Fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, and spending time spoiling my grandchildren.

WHAT IS SOMETHING – PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL – THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am passionate about helping people who are less fortunate than myself. This is one of the reasons we have created a family foundation. The goals of the foundation are to help feed the hungry in the US, Haiti and other parts of the world, support the fight to stop human trafficking, distribute God’s word to many different countries and in many different languages, support Wounded Warriors and other veteran-related organizations.

WHAT PRINCIPLE OR ADVICE GUIDES YOU DAY-TO-DAY?

1. Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2. Always take the high road, anyone can walk in the ditch.
3. What tension needs my attention.
4. Methods are many, principles are few. Methods always change – principles never do.
5. Treat your employees, customers, and vendors right and the dividends will follow.

To learn more about Digger Specialties, visit www.diggerspecialties.com.