By Hillary Wundrow
For StatelineBusiness

Ken Hendricks has brought two new businesses into the fold. Hendricks Holding Company Inc., recently acquired a majority state interest in Humane Manufacturing based in Baraboo, Wis., and has purchased the stock of an auto insurance company in Missouri.

Humane Manufacturing makes molded rubber mats which primarily has been used in the fitness market and in horse stalls and dairy barns for the comfort of animals. It has manufacturing facilities in Baraboo and Janesville. Ken Hendricks is CEO of ABC Supply Company based in Beloit. Diane Hendricks is executive vice president of ABC Supply.

Keith Peterson, the minority owner and operating partner of Hendricks, will continue to serve as Humane Manufacturing president and CEO. The companyıs associates also will continue in their current positions. The company employs 45 people in Baraboo and 40 people in Janesville. The company plans to add 20 to 30 new jobs in the next five years.

³I am thrilled to own another great Wisconsin company and I look forward to expanding our local production as the company grows,² Ken Hendricks said. ³Humane fits will with many of our other companies. I see immediate opportunities for Humane to work with ABC (Supply Company) to produce roof pads and perhaps paving mats for our Green Grid roofing system, where sales are greatly expanding around the world, particularly in China.²

Humane Manufacturing sells its products nationally and internationally, with about 15 percent of its current output being exported. The new ownership structure will enable management to more aggressively pursue its growth strategy by expanding production and geographic reach.

³This is a very exciting time for Humane,² Peterson said. ³The new ownership structure will allow Humane to gain an even larger share of its markets and penetrate into new areas. As Humane approaches its 100 year anniversary, the company has re-engineered itself and is poised for a very successful second 100 years.²

Officials at Hendricks Holding Company, Inc. also announced it has entered into an agreement to buy the stock of the holding company which owns Gateway Insurance Company in St. Louis, Mo. 

Gateway Insurance Company is a major provider of insurance solutions catering to non-standard private passenger and commercial auto coverage since 1946. 

³Gatewayıs focus is primarily on non-standard private passenger autos such as taxis, sedans and limos. The specialized commercial agency is one of the nationıs premier insurance companies for this specialty. The company looks forward to expanding and looking for other opportunities to diversify in the future,² said Jon Gardner, marketing director for Gateway Insurance Company.

Gateway Insurance Company employs 50 workers.

³Gateway Insurance Company has a proven track record of success, representing the kind of company people respect and want to do business with. We are very pleased with the opportunity this acquisition provides us to expand our insurance solution capabilities and very proud that it is part of the HHC family of companies,² said Diane Hendricks, co-owner of Hendricks Holding Company and soon-to-be director of Gateway Insurance Company.

Hendricks Holding Company purchased Gateway from chairman and president of Gateway Insurance Company Barry Cervantes. Hendricks Holding Company is co-owned by Diane and Ken Hendricks. The business currently owns more than 25 companies throughout the United States, including the Beloit-based ABC Supply Company.

With this acquisition, Gateway is well positioned for growth and Hendricks is prepared to further expand their insurance offerings.

The Hendricks also own American Patriot Insurance Agency, Inc. Since 1993 the company has provided comprehensive insurance solutions to the professional residential and commercial roofing and construction industries.

³American Patriot Insurance Agency Inc. caters to the construction industry with specific focus to professional roofing contractors,² Gardner said.

Richard Foran, who will become president and CEO of Gateway at closing, said ³Itıs about capitalizing on core competencies - allowing us to expand and diversify. I am very pleased with the direction we are going and the opportunities for expansion in the near future.²