Denning Companies grows operations through Hostetler Repair acquisition

Denning Companies is expanding its footprint with the purchase of Hostetler Repair, owner Ward Denning says it has been years in the making, and the business will be rebranded as 1776 Kustoms and Service.

When Ward Denning was just a child, he was given a chance to work on his first vehicle, and a lifelong career was born the moment he turned his first wrench. 

“I grew up on a farm and my stepfather took a lot of time to teach me the mechanical side of things at a very young age so by the time I was seven or eight, there was no doubt in my mind I would be working on vehicles in some capacity,” Denning said.

After high school, Denning served his country with the South Dakota National Guard while also working with Land O’ Lakes as a manager. Denning’s passion for his work came from both of these jobs and the people he met along the way. 

“In the National Guard I was a manager and a driver there, and as a manager, I worked side by side with the fleet manager, Archie VanDam, who was a big part of getting me starting in taking the leap of owning my own business. He and Art Donnovan were huge mentors to me and one day Archie came up to me and said Ward, why do you work so hard for corporate America? Why don’t you build something of your own? That’s when it clicked, and I decided to get the wheels turning,” he said.

With just one single truck, Ward launched Transportation in 2013 as a trucking operation that led to mechanical work and the building of a new facility in Chancellor in 2018. 

“I started this to work for myself and make enough money, so my wife didn’t make more than I did,” he joked. “By 2016 I had built a fleet of seven trucks and at that point in time I decided to leave the corporate world and go out on my own and found my home here in Chancellor,” Denning continued.

Offering his customers the best service starts with hiring the best person for the job. Working with many throughout the industry helped Ward cherry pick those that shared his same values. 

“I have been in talks with David Hostetler about one day purchasing his business if I could find someone to run it for me, and as the years have gone on it has become more and more clear that Tim Ralfs, a longtime friend that I have worked on many project with will be that guy with David remaining on the team through the transition period and has become a great employee,” he said. 

Rebranding the business name better suits what Denny represents. 

“Freedom is a huge part of my life, not only did I fight for my freedom, but I fought for the American values that 1776 represents. We are a veteran owned company, and we stand behind our work like we stand behind America,” Denning said.

The rebranding to 1776 Kustom and Service will extend across all the company’s mechanical facilities including the 1776 Big Rig and Autobody Repair and the 1776 Big Rig Diesel Service. 

“Jonah Kieny runs the diesel repair shop, Andy Benning runs the auto body shop, and Cody Powell and Casey Nielson manage the trucking side of things and without these guys standing behind me, none of this would be possible. This team adds years of invaluable experience and skills that translate right into the work our customers receive from us,” he said.

As the team continues the transition into the new buildings, a full remodel is planned for the former Hostetler Repair building. 

“We are going to turn this building into our own and remodel as we figure out where we want things to be permanently,” he said. “We can work on anything from semis to dump trucks, frame stretches, along with ag repair where we work on tractors and combines,” he continued.

People are the reason Denning continues to show up to work and grow his business in the Chancellor area. 

“We have around 45 employees who have built a workplace environment that is family based, building a positive, strong culture with hardworking great Americans,” he said. 

With customers like family, Denning extends a warm welcome to everyone to utilize any of the services 1776 Kustoms and Service has to offer. 

“Building relationships with my customers is my favorite part of my job and the reason I get up each morning. They are what makes this company grow and allows us to hire more staff to join our family,” Denning said.