New location, spot on TV show has Husker Vinyl on fast track

HUMPHREY -- Don’t get fenced in -- unless it is a fence from Husker Vinyl Inc. of Humphrey.

In less than four years in business, the company has grown from building and installing vinyl fencing in the area, to the top manufacturer and dealer in the Midwest for Westech Vinyl Fence Products, Mt. Vernon, Ind.

“We’ve grown dramatically into a multimillion dollar distributor of vinyl (maintenance-free) fencing and railings,” said Ron Groene, co-owner of the business with his wife, Lisa, who’s the office manager.

The business is about to become even more popular. This spring a fence made by Husker Vinyl will appear on the HGTV show, “Curb Appeal.”

Groene, 37, said through connections the show was made aware of his fences, and asked him to design one for a Maryland home they will feature on the show.

“A contractor that we work with told “Curb Appeal” that we make the best fence he’s used,” Groene said. “So we finished one to their specs, and they liked it. They were very complimentary.”

Show officials liked the fence so much, Groene’s firm will be making more for the network.

“They are going to use us exclusively. They loved our service and our quality,” he said.

When it airs, Husker Vinyl will be named on the show as the maker of the fence, and its name will appear in the credits.

According to its Web site, “Curb Appeal” is a show that features a real house and homeowner with guest experts who discuss the owner’s needs and propose projects to improve the home’s appearance.

Husker Vinyl’s appearance will change in about six months, when the fast-growing business moves from its present location on Nebraska Highway 91 to a new 25,000-square-foot building in Humphrey.

The move is necessitated by the expansion of the operation. Groene is doubling the number of computers that are used to program the designs of the fences from three to six.

Since he started the company in 2004, employees have grown from two to 12 full and part time. There are four full-time fabricators, who program the computers to make the cuts to design the fences and railing.

“We cut and produce fence for over 100 dealers in the Midwest,” Groene said.

His fences originally kept sprouting up in Nebraska, before reaching Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

“Since 2004, we’ve nearly doubled (business) every year,” Groene said.

He has been in the business since 1998, working for another firm before branching out on his own.

“It was my dream to own my own business and be successful. I decided to take a chance in 2004, and it seemed to work out,” he said. “Customer service is our strength. If you need something we get it done right away.”

Anyone interested in the product can contact Husker Vinyl at (402) 923-0323 or (866) 918-4695.