Thorp Equipment Inc. began business in the barn and pole building industry and has become a manufacturer of Custom Stainless Steel Products serving customers worldwide.  When Thorp Equipment began the barn and pole building business, Joe Lato was the sole proprietor with over 25 years of experience in the business industry. He started the barn and pole building business in a 60′ X 120′ steel building.  In 1983, the manufacturing business was started in a larger building that was 120′ X 104′ with six emloyees that had transferred from the barn and pole building business. The main product marketed at the time was painted metal and stainless steel dairy equipment. After showing our equipment at numerous shows, the farmers began requesting stainless steel hog equipment. The volume of hog equipment continued to increase. We also started to manufacture custom sludge conveyors for wastewater treatment plants nationwide.