MTS AND KIMBELL GIN MACHINERY JOIN FORCES

            On August 11, 2023, Module Truck Systems, Inc. (MTS) completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Kimbell Gin Machinery Company (KGM), including Diamond K Manufacturing.  The two Lubbock-based manufacturers have been supplying essential equipment, parts and service to cotton gins across the belt for many years and the leaders of both companies are excited to have the opportunity to combine their experienced and talented teams and their product lines.

Richard (Dick) Kimbell founded KGM in Earth, Texas in 1954, and moved it to its current location in Lubbock in 1964.  His son, Wylie Kimbell, has lead the company since 1979.  It is known for building efficient, highly-durable centrifugal fans, cleaners, module feeders, dryers and other components for today’s high-capacity cotton gins.  KGM’s current president, Donnie Wren, has been with KGM since 1989.  Donnie and his wife, Dondra Kimbell Wren, will continue to manage the KGM operations at their current location, 226 NE Loop 289 in Lubbock.  Donnie said, “I believe that combining the engineering, fabrication and service talent of these two companies will provide cotton gins and other industries a unique and reliable source for both traditional and innovative new products.  Our employees are excited to join the MTS team and to continue to provide our customers with great products and service.”

The history of MTS goes back to the introduction of the cotton module truck in 1974 and it has been led since 1996 by its chairman, Curtis Griffith.  MTS has been the leader for many years in the number and quality of module trucks moving cotton from the field to the gin from Virginia to California.  Since 2002, it has been located at 2010 East 50th Street in Lubbock.  Dolle Barker purchased control of the company in 2020 and today is its president and CEO.  Under her leadership, MTS acquired Mettran, Inc. including the Gene Winn designs for the hot shelf dryer, the Big Mach cleaner and the Winn module feeder, among others that have become increasingly popular in the cotton gin industry.  MTS also designs, builds and refurbishes equipment for TxDOT and other area businesses.  Dolle said, “We are working to diversify MTS while still being the preferred source for cotton module trucks.  Bringing together the awesome teams of these two historic companies will give us the engineering and fabrication talent and tools to be the vendor of choice for not only the products that they have built for many years but for many new products as well.  We will continue to operate both companies in their current locations for now but are looking forward to bringing them together in a brand-new facility in the near future.”