OUR TOPEKA FACTORY
36 Acres, Over 250,000sf With Some Of The Coolest Equipment
OUR CAMPUS
Thirty-six-acres of property with 250,000 sq. foot under roof with Manufacturing, Corporate Offices, Parts Warehouse and storage facilities.
- Upper management is directly ‘hands on’ with all aspects of design and fabrication.
- We utilize the latest cutting edge steel fabrication technology and computer controlled plasma cutters, robotic lathes, robotic welders presses and other hi-tech machines.
- Custom Dredge Works carefully selects and staffs our manufacturing facility with highly skilled metal fabrication craftsmen, expert industrial welders, and specially trained technicians that operate our high-tech computerized manufacturing equipment.
- Within the fabrication and build process we employ experts in a wide variety of disciplines including hydraulics, electrical, paint, dredge automation, plant management, and quality control.
- One hundred percent of our employees and departments are encouraged to work cohesively and synergistically together at our one location to achieve excellence for our customers.
- We also encourage our Customers to make personal visits to our facility to view first-hand the various manufacturing stages of their dredge.
We Are Uniquely Qualified To Build Your Next Dredge.
Why Topeka, Kansas for Dredge Manufacturing?
At Custom Dredge Works, we understand that it might strike you as unusual to find a dredge manufacturing facility in the heart of America – Topeka, Kansas. However, when you delve a bit deeper, the location makes perfect sense.
We specialize in Aggregate Dredging Operations, and if you were to take a bird’s eye view of Kansas and its neighboring Midwest states, you’d see a landscape peppered with aggregate mines. Our strategic location places us right at the epicenter of the industry, providing us with a unique vantage point and easy access to our core clientele.
- Custom Dredge Works was founded over 24 years ago with a singular focus: mastering the art of dredging Sand & Gravel.
- We are experts in this field
- Our passion for excellence is evident in every dredge we produce.
- Every aspect of our dredges, from design and engineering to manufacturing, is handled in-house
PROUDLY MADE IN TOPEKA, KANSAS USA!
OUR CULTURE
At Custom Dredge Works, we are more than just a company – we are a family. Founded by the dynamic father-son duo of CJ and John Jones, our roots run deep in the values of togetherness and excellence. Our leadership sets the tone for a nurturing environment where every team member and client is an integral part of our extended family.
FAMILY SPIRIT, EXCELLENCE IN ACTION
Our journey began with a shared passion between a father and his son – to create the world’s finest mining dredges. This zeal has been the cornerstone of our ethos. Every dredge we design and build is a testament to this commitment, a belief that resonates with our satisfied clients.
IN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
John Jones, our CEO & President, says it best: “Our quest for perfection is relentless. We believe in constantly evolving, enhancing the quality of our dredges and services to not just meet but exceed expectations. Our clients’ trust is our biggest achievement, and their satisfaction, our greatest reward.”
JOIN OUR JOURNEY
Be a part of a culture where innovation meets tradition, where excellence is not just a goal but a continuous journey. At Custom Dredge Works, every dredge we build carries a piece of our heart, a slice of our family’s legacy.
– John Jones, CEO & President – 2023
Watch how CDW custom designed dredges, powered by Cat® Industrial Engines is gaining international attention.
OUR MISSION
“ To Build the Best Mining Dredge in the World!! “
- A dredge that is precision-engineered in size, power, and design to the specifics of the mine it serves.
- A solution that significantly reduces or eradicates the inconvenience of unplanned operational halts.
- Easy to Repair, Maintain, and Replace Parts.
- An investment that boasts an operational lifespan of three to four decades.
- A piece that maintains or appreciates in value over time.
- Assurance of peace of mind regarding Safety, Operational Reliability, Production Goals, and ROI.
With Custom Dredge Works, you are not just acquiring a dredge; you are investing in a legacy of reliability, efficiency, and superior design.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We understand that dredges are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each mining dredge must be meticulously tailored to the unique demands of its environment, addressing:
- The extensive variety and complexity of the Deposit across diverse locations and depths.
- Specific pumping requirements, encompassing depth, lift, distance, and pipeline considerations.
- The intricate design of the mine’s infrastructure, both immediate and future-focused.
- Ambitious production goals, set for the present and envisioned for the future.
- Financial constraints, guiding us to engineer the most effective dredge design within the available budget while ensuring a robust Return on Investment.
For an aggregate mining operation to succeed, it is imperative to have:
- The appropriately matched dredge for the task, factoring in size, power, and design.
- A comprehensive maintenance program for the dredge.
- A skilled and knowledgeable Dredge Operator.
A superior Mining Dredge distinguishes itself by being:
- User-friendly to Maintain and Repair by your Crew.
- Easy and intuitive to Operate.
- Constructed with non-proprietary, easily sourced, cost-effective, quickly obtainable, high quality Parts and Components made by Best-In-Class Nationally distributed manufacturers.
- Innovatively designed to preempt and mitigate common setbacks that typically result in unexpected downtime.
Custom Dredge Works incorporates designs, features, and systems as standard in every dredge we construct that specifically anticipate and preempt the list of common operational challenges provided above. The result is a significant reduction in the length and frequency of unscheduled costly shutdowns.
QUALITY CONTROL
At Custom Dredge Works, our dedicated Quality Control team meticulously inspects every aspect of our products, from the smallest socket weld on hydraulic lines to the structural integrity of each pontoon. Every fabricated part and industrial weld seam undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our stringent standards for safety, functionality, design, and aesthetics. This meticulous attention to detail is what sets our dredges apart in both performance and reliability.
Our commitment to excellence extends to the entire assembly process. Each dredge undergoes a thorough inspection not once, but twice – first before painting, and again after. Our experts use a detailed checklist to examine every element, ensuring a 100% pass rate is achieved for every dredge. Only after meeting our exacting standards, does a product earn the right to bear the Custom Dredge Works name and be dispatched to our customers. It’s this unwavering dedication to quality that ensures our products are not just built, but crafted to perfection.
OUR TEAM, Your EXPERTS
Over 100 Craftsman Working To Achieve Perfection
THE SALES TEAM
Our Sales Team dives deep into understanding your unique mining needs. From understanding your Deposit, the mine layout, to your production goals, we ensure that the dredge we propose fits perfectly with your mine’s unique characteristics and your objectives.
A one-size-fits-all approach isn’t effective in the mining industry. By gathering all the essential data, including gradations and coring information, and by personally visiting your mine, our team ensures that we design a dredge that provides an optimal return on your investment.
THE DESIGN TEAM
Equipped with our advanced proprietary DREDGE|OS™, our Dredges deliver unparalleled performance. From touch screen control interfaces to advanced features like DREDGE|VIEW™, our Design Team ensures that you have the latest and most efficient tools at your disposal. Innovation is at our core, and we’re always striving to enhance our systems.
THE ENGINEERING TEAM
Our seasoned Engineering Team comprises experienced structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers who transform your needs into tangible designs. Using advanced CAD technology, their expertise in engineering principles bring your custom dredge to life, ensuring design and function adhere to the highest standards.
THE MANUFACTURING TEAM
Quality metal fabrication manufacturing has been our forte for over 40years. With state-of-the-art technology, including a fleet of welding robots, and a dedicated team of skilled metal fabrication craftsmen, we provide the best-in-class manufacturing for your dredge.
THE LOGISTICS | LAUNCH TEAM
From Assembly to Launch, our Team ensures your Dredge is up and running. We also empower your team with the necessary Training to Operate and Maintain the Dredge. Plus, every dredge project is guided from inception by a dedicated Project Manager, who ensures close collaboration with the client throughout the design and execution phases.
THE CUSTOMER CARE TEAM
We believe in comprehensive post-sales support. Whether it’s troubleshooting over a call or through DREDGE|LINK™, or by deploying our field team for on-site assistance, we’re always there for you. With a vast inventory of replacement parts, we safeguard minimal downtime for your operations.
THE ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Our Administration and Management Team is always accessible to cater to your needs. From Purchasing to Billing, every Department aligns with your expectations, ensuring a smooth experience.
A Timeline Of Excellence
Our foray into dredge manufacturing began when a local aggregate mining operation in Topeka, Kansas, impressed by MWM’s reputation, commissioned a complete overhaul and upgrade of their dredge. The success of this project led to more orders from this same company, laying the foundation and opening the door to manufacturing dredges.
With this newfound niche, CJ and John Jones established Custom Dredge Works in 2001 as a MidWestern Metals subsidiary. Rapid growth followed, driven by word-of-mouth in Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, positioning us as a prominent dredge manufacturer in the mid-west.
A significant milestone was achieved when Martin Marietta, a leading aggregate production corporation, ordered two large dredges. This project elevated Custom Dredge Works to national stage.
In 2010, Custom Dredge Works took a significant leap forward, intensifying our focus on pioneering designs specifically tailored for mining dredges in the aggregate industry. This strategic shift was driven by a commitment to listen and respond to the valuable feedback and insights from our clients. Our approach to innovation is collaborative and client-centric. By integrating the practical experiences and needs of our clients into our design process, we have introduced a series of groundbreaking innovations. These advancements have not only transformed the functionality and efficiency of our dredges but have also firmly established Custom Dredge Works as a frontrunner in dredge manufacturing in the USA.
Our journey saw us expand from leasing a small space in a large industrial complex in northern Topeka, KS, to acquiring that same industrial complex in December 2015. That entire industrial complex is now our Headquarters and Home, , spans nearly 250,000 square feet and includes our Executive and Administrative Offices and our expansive manufacturing facilities.
Despite the presence of more established competitors, Custom Dredge Works has become a top choice for the Aggregate Mining Industry, known for a diverse fleet of dredges serving clients across the USA and globally.
In 2019, we embarked on an ambitious expansion to increase our output capacity. This includes enlarging our manufacturing facility, introducing a specialized Paint and Blast facility, and incorporating new technologies and skilled team members into our family.
In 2020, Custom Dredge Works laid the groundwork for a visionary future by acquiring an additional 20-acre tract adjacent to our original 16-acre manufacturing hub. This strategic expansion to a 36-acre campus paves the way for unparalleled growth and the potential to upscale our facilities for generations to come.
The year 2021 marked a milestone in our journey, as we embarked on an ambitious plan to amplify our dredge manufacturing capabilities. Our heavy-duty mining dredges have seen a steady surge in demand, with an ever-growing clientele across the United States recognizing the superior quality and value inherent in every Dredge creation. To meet this demand, our 2021 strategy was threefold: Modernization of Key Manufacturing Machinery with state-of-the-art technology. Streamlining of Manufacturing Processes for peak efficiency. Construction of Three Special-Purpose Buildings, adding 22,500 square feet to our operational footprint. The first of our new structures, a 7,500-square-foot BLAST facility, revolutionized our steel preparation with cutting-edge blasting technology. By moving operations indoors, we eliminated weather-related uncertainties, ensuring consistent productivity. The second building greatly enlarged our Paint Division, incorporating the latest advancements in paint application and curing processes to deliver flawlessly finished products. The third building, with its towering 40-foot ceiling, is…Read More
Continuing our trajectory of growth, 2022 saw the addition of two more buildings, each spanning 7,500 square feet. This expansion brought our total to five new facilities, extending our enclosed manufacturing and warehousing space to an impressive 250,000 square feet. The fourth and fifth new building expanded our Parts Department and Warehouse to a vast 40,000 square feet, ensuring a comprehensive inventory of dredge parts and components for our clients. This space also houses a new, efficient Shipping & Receiving department, streamlining the dispatch of replacement parts. Moreover, a new, expansive, 25,000-square-foot concrete pad provides secure outdoor storage, enhancing our logistical capabilities.
The momentum continues in 2023 with the addition of an 8,000-square-foot Pump and Equipment dry Storage facility. Also, we are excited to announce the appointment of Clayton Schoendaller as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. With an impressive and extensive résumé steeped in manufacturing excellence, our new VP brings a wealth of experience in reorganizing and streamlining production processes. His expertise has already produced tangible cost-saving and time-efficient innovations within our operations.
Custom Dredge Works is set to redefine the dredging industry with the debut of a groundbreaking Dredge Design in 2024. We will introduce the CUSTOM PRO DREDGE (CPD) – a marvel of engineering that harmonizes the seemingly contradictory qualities of Agility and Power making it the ‘unicorn’ of dredging solutions: – Agile & Mobile: The CPD sets a new standard for mobility. Its lightweight design ensures that it is exceptionally easy to transport, assemble, and disassemble, making it an ideal choice for operations requiring frequent relocations. – Powerful & Efficient: Despite its nimble nature, the CPD packs a punch with the robust performance of an underwater pump, delivering unrivaled power and efficiency for its slight size.
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