Maverick Metal Expands to Holdrege with New Manufacturing Facility

A company specializing in cattle feeder design, feed bunks, and fencing systems has moved its U.S. manufacturing facilities to Holdrege to expand its growing operation.

Maverick Metal, owned by Tyson Christiansen and Riley Johnson, recently purchased a 24,000-square-foot facility at 2120 E. Fourth Ave. after outgrowing its previous rented space near Gibbon.

“Realistically, we needed a bigger space to be more efficient and to grow the company to where we want it to grow,” Johnson said.  

The company closed on the former Hawkins Ag building on April 1 and is in the process of upgrading electrical systems and equipment to support expanded production. Once fully operational, the facility will house a CNC plasma tubing cutter, cold-forming machines and a paint booth.

Maverick Metal specializes in cattle-handling systems, offering design, materials and coordination for installation. Its products include fencing systems, feed bunks, steel cattle panels, gates and posts.

The company’s signature product is a cattle-specific W-beam guardrail system, manufactured from flat steel and formed in-house. It is made from 100 percent U.S. steel

“We roll form our own cattle-specific guardrail,” Johnson said. “It’s not repurposed highway rail. It’s built specifically for feedlots.”

The guardrail fencing is designed to both contain cattle and serve as a windbreak, improving livestock comfort and feeding conditions.

“It blocks the wind, keeps cattle comfortable and helps them eat more,” Johnson said.

Unlike traditional fencing materials, Johnson said the guardrail system is built to last for decades.

“You’re not replacing it in 10 years,” he said. “It’s a 50- to 100-year product.”

Founded in Canada in 2015, Maverick Metal expanded into the United States just over a year ago. The local owners are Tyson Christiansen of Canada and Riley Johnson, a Kearney native and trained welder, who will be the main day-to-day operations manager.

The Holdrege facility is currently its only U.S. manufacturing location, complementing its Canadian operation in Shaughnessy, Alberta, where the company supplies a majority of feedlots in that region.

The Holdrege facility will employ five people in addition to the owners. Johnson said the company plans to add workers, welders and general laborers, as production ramps up.

Maverick Metal works with a network of companies to install its fencing and products

Maverick Metal is also seeking dealers nationwide as it works toward expanding its footprint. Maverick guard-rail vendors are already established in California, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma.

“We want to sell nationwide,” Johnson said. “We want to be the biggest fencer in the U.S.”

PCDC’s Executive Director Jeff Hofaker is excited about this new Holdrege manufacturing facility.

“I know this company will be a great asset to the community,” Hofaker said. “It is an excellent fit considering Phelps County’s large cattle-feeding industry.”

Johnson said the company is excited about its future in Holdrege.

“We’re proud to announce our first job right here in Nebraska,” he said. “We’re excited to be part of the community, and we’re ready to get to work.”