South Central Diesel Honored at PCDC’s Legacy Business of the Year

On a busy Tuesday morning at South Central Diesel in Holdrege, team members work diligently—answering phone calls, rebuilding diesel fuel pumps and injectors, and repairing engines.

Amid the activity, founder Jim Wiser still enjoys the familiar sounds and smells of the company he established 53 years ago. Now spanning three generations, the business is led by Jim’s son, Mike, with Jim’s grandson, Griffin, also part of the team, and granddaughter, Taylor, handling marketing while she is studying for a master’s degree.

The company began in 1971 as Wiser Repair and was rebranded in 1981 as South Central Diesel, Inc., to reflect its specialized focus on diesel fuel systems, particularly through a partnership with Bosch.

“A lot of people don’t realize what we do here,” Mike Wiser remarked, reflecting on the company’s regional impact. South Central Diesel serves independent repair shops and implement dealers across eight states, including Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Western Iowa and Western Missouri.

Their services include rebuilding diesel fuel pumps and injectors, selling and repairing turbochargers, cylinder head repairs, and drive in service repair. This broad scope and dedication to quality have earned South Central Diesel the recognition of PCDC (Phelps County Development Corporation) as its 2024 Legacy Business of the Year.

PCDC President Shane Westcott said in his letter to the Wisers that PCDC board members noted the company’s “continuous growth since establishing the business in 1971. The impressive reach and depth of your customer base is truly a testament to your dedication to excellence and customer service. South Central Diesel is emblematic of the ideals that make Phelps County a leading economic powerhouse.”

Mike expressed the family’s gratitude for the honor, saying, “We are humbled and appreciative of the award.”

Jim added that there are a lot of good people in Holdrege, and that’s why he has enjoyed founding and operating a business here.

A Legacy of Hard Work & Family

Jim started the business in 1971 as Wiser Repair offering diesel fuel injection and turbo sales and service. After outgrowing his parent’s garage, he moved to the business’s current location at 115 S. East Ave. and pursued Bosch training, establishing South Central Diesel as one of the few Bosch-authorized service stations in the United States.

Mike joined the business in 1994 after earning an agribusiness degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At the time, the team was small—just Jim, Mike, and long-time team member and a huge part of the company’s success Randy Kaslon, who remains with the company today. Over the years, as demand grew, the business expanded both in team members and physical space, including four additions to the building, the most recent being a new warehouse currently under construction.

Today, South-Central Diesel employs 16 team members and is looking to hire another salesperson, a machinist and a diesel pump technician.

Mike said he considers the entire team like family and works to help them succeed at work and outside of work.

“I always tell everyone I’m not your boss,” he said. “I just make different decisions than you make.”

The company’s future goals include expanding the machine shop and turbo department and finding more diesel pump technicians to learn from the skilled team already on board.

A Commitment to Community

Jim served on the PCDC Board of Directors for 12 years, resigning in 2019.

“That’s the best board I’ve worked on in my life,” Jim said when he left the board. “Everybody worked together. People listen on that board. They get things done.”

While on the PCDC board, he helped establish the 134-acre Iron Horse Business & Industry Park, which opens opportunities for new or expanding businesses in Holdrege.

Jim, with the help of Bob Sanders, launched the Great Plains Pheasants Forever Chapter more than 30 years ago.

A True Family Business

South Central Diesel truly embodies the spirit of a family business. Jim’s wife, Ann, and daughter, Jodi, have also worked at the company over the years. Mike reflects on the challenges and joys of working with family. “A family business has its ups and downs, but the positive side is getting to see your family every day,” he said.

Jim, proud of the family legacy, said, “My kids and grandkids work hard. I hope they learned it from me.”

Both Jim and Mike agree that their success is built on trust—trust between the business and its customers. “It means a lot to the customer if they can trust us,” Jim said. This dedication to quality service and building relationships has helped South Central Diesel thrive for over five decades.

As they look to the future, the Wiser family continues to embrace the values that have made South Central Diesel a leader in its field: hard work, innovation, and a commitment to the community.