2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Dexstar Wheel. Dexstar is the North American steel rim and wheel manufacturer for Kenda Group and serves some of the largest OEMs and distributors in the trailer and RV industries.
Dexstar said that for the last half-century, it has been committed to doing the right thing the first time – a philosophy of continuous improvement delivered by quality people to exceed customers’ expectations. As a U.S. steel trailer wheel manufacturer, Dexstar maintains its reputational and manufacturing excellence, strong engineering and technical capabilities, the company said. It is based in Elkhart, Ind., and provides high-quality American-made products and customer service.
“We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone in Dexstar’s history. For 50 years the company has been known as a premier provider of high-quality wheels, focused on developing products that are geared to industry trends and meet the future needs of their consumers,” said Jeff Pizzola, chief operating officer of American Kenda Industrial Rubber. “Dexstar’s dedicated and expert team is the cornerstone of the company’s success, delivering excellence, quality and reliability to customers.”
Last October, Dexstar was awarded up to $590,000 in tax credits by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for an expansion project. This investment allows Dexstar to build upon its position as a premier provider of high-quality wheels to the RV industry in northern Indiana, as well as the many other segments the company serves. Additionally, the investment helps Dexstar further its commitment to the Elkhart community, Dexstar’s employees and the many customers the company serves.
Funds from the tax credit program will go to support Dexstar’s growth and continued commitment to the Elkhart community. The company has pledged to hire up to 60 new full-time employees in addition to the company’s current employees. The existing and newly created production and support staff jobs are high paying, the company said. This expansion is anticipated to be fully in place by 2023. Some of the positions Dexstar is looking to add include shipping and receiving, quality assurance, production managers, engineering and “industry innovator.”
As part of celebrating 50 years in business, the company recently unveiled a new logo and website that is easy to navigate and provides comprehensive information about Dexstar’s products. The company said the website will continue to evolve, with the second phase of updates planned for later this year.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we must be anticipating the next 50 years,” said Bill Blumka, general manager. “We are continually expanding our resources, refining our services, and evolving to ensure we have the foundation to continually anticipate shifts in the market, technology advancements and customer preferences.”
