Kentucky Man Grows No-Till Equipment Concept Over 22 Years

Martin Industries now supplies over 1,500 dealers across 38 states and 4 countries.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:08am

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a collection of polished, premium no-till farming equipment components such as row cleaners, fertilizer openers, and gauge wheels, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background and lit dramatically to showcase their precision engineering and innovative design.Martin Industries' specialized no-till farming equipment components, designed and manufactured to help growers adopt more sustainable conservation tillage practices.Elkton Today

Howard Martin started Martin Industries 22 years ago in Elkton, Kentucky with no particular skills, but a desire to get out of the tobacco patch. Today, the company has grown to 40 employees and manufactures a variety of no-till row-unit tools and planter attachments that have become standard additions for many no-till planters and drills throughout the U.S.

Why it matters

Martin Industries' growth over the past two decades highlights the increasing demand for specialized no-till farming equipment as more growers adopt conservation tillage practices. The company's success in a rural Kentucky town also demonstrates how an entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation can thrive in America's heartland.

The details

Martin Industries makes row cleaners, fertilizer openers, closing wheels, gauge wheels and other no-till row-unit tools at six different shops. The company's products are supplied to more than 1,500 dealers in 38 states and four countries. Martin has overseen several expansions of the business since founding it, and has learned how to effectively represent the brand and get products to equipment dealers and customers.

  • Martin Industries was founded 22 years ago.
  • The company has grown to 40 employees today.

The players

Howard Martin

The founder of Martin Industries, a Kentucky-based manufacturer of no-till farming equipment.

Martin Industries

A 22-year-old company that manufactures a variety of no-till row-unit tools and planter attachments, supplying over 1,500 dealers across 38 states and 4 countries.

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What they’re saying

“When I was trying to start my business, I had no particular skills that would qualify me for such — nothing but a desire to get out of the tobacco patch.”

— Howard Martin, Founder, Martin Industries

“Our planter attachments have become standard additions for many no-till planters and drills throughout the U.S., and we supply equipment to more than 1,500 dealers in 38 states and four countries.”

— Howard Martin, Founder, Martin Industries

What’s next

Martin Industries plans to continue expanding its product line and dealer network to meet growing demand for no-till farming equipment across the United States and internationally.

The takeaway

Martin Industries' success story demonstrates how an entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation in agricultural technology can thrive in rural America, creating jobs and serving the evolving needs of farmers adopting more sustainable no-till farming practices.