By Michele F. Mihaljevich Indiana Correspondent
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. – Indiana-based Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co. has opened offices in Colorado and Wisconsin, a move the company’s president said is designed to provide a more consistent presence in those areas. Schrader’s Colorado office – in Keenesburg, north of Denver – opened toward the end of 2021. The company’s Wisconsin office is in Lancaster in the southwestern part of the state. “They’re both good, strong ag areas,” R.D. Schrader explained. “We have a lot of experience in those areas. Our auction process works well in those areas. Previously, we served those areas from the home office or via joint ventures. We had some experience with the people (in both offices). We had a relationship with them. They knew who we were, we knew who they were.” The Colorado office will serve also serve Nebraska and Kansas, he said. The Wisconsin office will also serve Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. Schrader’s has offices in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and Florida, in addition to the home office in Columbia City. “That local presence just helps to generate new leads and an awareness of what’s going on in that market,” Schrader noted. The company has conducted real estate auctions in 40 states. Schrader’s has 200-250 auctions annually. The Colorado office will be led by Jess Nighswonger, a former foreman with Cargill. Darrell Crapp and Chris Hoffman manage the Wisconsin office. The Wisconsin office recently managed the liquidation of a dairy operation in the state, Schrader said. The sale of about 3,500 cows, real estate and personal property totaled $11.4 million, he said. “It was a nice-size dairy, very well maintained,” Schrader stated. Schrader said his company will continue to look at opportunities to establish offices in other markets. Any other markets would need to be “strong ag areas where we could focus on the sale of real estate and equipment,” he said. “Combine that with the right people; it needs to be a healthy relationship for everyone involved.” |
