Tarter Gate names 2006 Kentucky Manufacturer of the Year

In the large manufacturer category, Tarter Gate, LLC from Casey County, Kentucky was honored. What began as a modest sawmill operation selling wooden gates has evolved into the nation's largest manufacturer of farm gates and animal management equipment, employing 755 in three Kentucky facilities and one Utah facility. Boasting over 800 products, the company is a major supplier to a variety of national chains of farm, garden, ranch and hardware stores including such nationally known companies as Tractor Supply, Southern States, and other large chains and co-ops throughout the United States.

"This year's award winners represent the 'best of the best' in Kentucky manufacturing," said Meko. "They will be added to an elite list of Kentucky companies who have earned the prestigious title of Kentucky Manufacturer of the Year."

In the small manufacturer category, the award went to Big Ass Fans of Lexington. Big Ass Fans manufactures large industrial fans for manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide. The company has experienced multiple double-digit increases in growth over the past few years, attributable to its high-tech fan designs and its unique branding and marketing tactics. Big Ass Fans are currently at work in businesses across a variety of industries including Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Amazon.com, Boeing and Office Depot.

Span Tech, LLC of Glasgow took home the award in the medium category. Founded in 1976 by Bud Layne, Span Tech began as a part-time subcontractor installing acoustic ceiling, wall and floor systems and is now the only company in the world that can fabricate an entire conveyor system for a U.S. food producer. Today, Span Tech has a catalogue of seven standard conveyor models that can be ordered and shipped within a matter of days. Span Tech's intellectual property now totals 38 issued U.S. and foreign patents, seven U.S. pending patents, three U.S. provisional patents & 32 pending foreign patents.

About Tarter Gate
Tarter Gate, the nation's largest manufacturer of farm gates and animal management equipment, is a family-owned business now in its 60th year. Tarter Gate branded product lines include American Farmland®, Billy Goat Gruff®, Equestrian World®, TerrainTough®/Hunter's Specialties® and SecureEstate™. Tarter Gate products are sold in more than 6,200 farm and ranch stores nationwide.

About the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers
Established in 1911, the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers is the Commonwealth's only manufacturing trade association. Formerly the Associated Industries of Kentucky, KAM's mission is to raise the prosperity of all Kentuckians by protecting and growing the state's economic engine: manufacturing. KAM proactively works with elected officials, policymakers, chambers of commerce, other associations, economic development experts, the news media, the general public and its own members to drive results through seven branded initiatives: ProsperousKentucky(sm), ProductiveKentucky(sm), FreedomKentucky(sm), SmartKentucky(sm), HealthyKentucky(sm), HonestKentucky(sm) and CleanKentucky(sm). On the web at www.KAManufacturers.com