Larry Fortenberry had a dream 25 years ago of taking and using his experience and expertise in the poultry industry to build a business that would not only impact the industry itself, but also impact his community, his family, and the dozens of team members who call D&F Equipment Sales "home".

Now, 25 years later, Larry and his children, Lynn and Dawn, have established and operated one of the most successful family-owned businesses in north Alabama, and in the process, enabled hundreds of employees and former employees through the years provide solid incomes for their families. What began as a father and son operation in 1987 is now a multi-million dollar success story.

D&F Equipment Sales, Inc., a manufacturer of conveyor systems for the food processing industry, is located in the northeast Alabama town of Crossville. D&F kicks off its 25th Anniversary Celebration this week, recognizing February 1st as the day the business officially opened.

"While our family is thrilled and honored with this accomplishment, 25 years of doing business in this great community, we also must give credit where credit is due and recognize all the men and women, the D&F employee team, who truly built our company to be what it is today," said Dawn Knox, a co-owner and Vice President of Finance. "We would not be able to enjoy the success we've had without them, and their loyalty, their commitment, their work ethic, and their drive to help us become a leader in the industry."

"We would also like to thank our loyal customers and vendors, who have been great business partners with us through the years. We have developed a number of terrific relationships with many, many people during this time span, some who have become like family to us."

Dawn, who joined her dad and brother in the business three years later in 1990, said the Fortenberry family is as excited about D&F's future as they have been about its past. 

"Our company has grown so much through the years," she said. "We've added vital members to our team who know and understand what it takes to lead our business through today's unstable economy. They're also able to adapt as the market changes, and through technology improvements as well. We believe our team is second to none, and that's why we're looking forward to the next 25 years of serving our customers in the poultry, pork and beef industries."

With over 125,000 square feet of facility space in our corporate headquarters in Crossville and more than 40,000 square feet at our Western Division shop in Springdale, Arkansas, (with which to serve customers west of the Mississippi River), we are able to service all of our customers' engineering, fabrication, laser and installation needs. Working in unison, these two facilities allow D&F Equipment to share resources, equipment and space that enables the entire company to deliver to every one of our customers the quality craftsmanship and professionalism they expect.

Perhaps one of the areas that Larry, Lynn and Dawn are most proud of is the company's involvement in local charities. D&F Equipment and D&F Charity Trust consider its place in the community and its attitude toward service vital with many contributions and donations to local events and causes. For 13 years, D&F has hosted the D&F Charity Golf Classic to raise funds for scholarships to Auburn University's School of Agriculture, and through the D&F Charity Trust, specific donations for deserving individuals with medically-related needs or other items to make life more productive.

D&F involves itself in raising thousands of dollars for Hospice of Marshall County-Shepherd's Cove, and also during the holidays, D&F buys Christmas gifts for underprivileged children to make those less fortunate children have a special holiday season. D&F also was an active participant in providing supplies, food and meals to the victims of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes which struck Marshall and DeKalb Counties leaving hundreds of residents without food, water, power or shelter for several days and weeks.

The D&F owners, management team, and team members truly exemplify the company's motto of 25 years, as they will do "whatever it takes" to impact and make a difference in our world today.