KEITH Mfg. Co.
WALKING FLOOR - Only by KEITH
Superior by Design.

KEITH - Making History

Keith Foster

The evolution of the KEITH® WALKING FLOOR® system began more than half a century ago, when Keith Foster first entered the material handling industry by creating specialized agricultural equipment. The WALKING FLOOR brand was introduced in the 1970s, with interest in the self-unloading system gaining momentum in the 1980s.

Today, KEITH Mfg. Co. bears little resemblance to the early days. When Keith Foster built his first WALKING FLOOR system, he had a handful of employees and few resources. The company now encompasses international locations and a global network of dealers. Both mobile and stationary units are used worldwide to move, meter and unload a variety of products.

Keith built his company around one goal -- to produce the most economical, efficient and safest self-unloading system available. Today, his family carries the tradition forward by introducing innovative products and creative solutions to our customers.

View the Keith Foster Timeline

History of Innovation and Product Firsts

1950s
Keith Foster moves to Central Oregon and starts an agricultural manufacturing company.
Keith Foster moves to Central Oregon and starts an agricultural manufacturing company.
Keith Foster moves to Central Oregon and starts an agricultural manufacturing company.
Madras is the heart of clover seed harvesting at the time and he designs a modification to combine machinery to assist in the harvesting of clover seed.
Machinery Services evolves into Foster Manufacturing.
Keith develops the Chaff Saver.
The Foster Chaff Saver is eventually sold throughout the USA, Canada and Australia to save the nutritious waste from harvesting a variety of crops for cattle feed like wheat, barley, corn and sorghum.
Keith starts the mass production of chaff savers at Foster Manufacturing in Madras.
1960s
Keith develops a large wagon (16' x 32') with a \"compressor unloading system\" to haul a variety of agricultural crops.
Keith develops a large wagon (16' x 32') with a "compressor unloading system" to haul a variety of agricultural crops.
Keith develops a large wagon (16' x 32') with a \
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Further improvements are made to the Chaff Saver, increasing its popularity with ranchers internationally.
Foster Manufacturing evolves into KEITH Mfg. Co.
Keith continues designing agricultural equipment and introduces the Texas Wagon.
1970s
Working with another innovator, Keith develops a self-propelled hydrostatic, one-wheel baler for hay.
Working with another innovator, Keith develops a self-propelled hydrostatic, one-wheel baler for hay.
Working with another innovator, Keith develops a self-propelled hydrostatic, one-wheel baler for hay.
With a desire to improve on the design of existing equipment, Keith manufactures a new hay rake.
Keith helps to develop the first commercially viable moving floor system, using the principles of 1-2-3 movement.
Keith trademarks <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> to describe his brand of moving floor system.
The focus of KEITH Mfg. Co. changes from designing a variety of different material handling systems to almost exclusively making <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> systems.
1980s
Keith introduces the <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> unloading system to the solid waste industry, establishing what would later become the standard in unloading equipment for transfer trailers.
Keith introduces the WALKING FLOOR unloading system to the solid waste industry, establishing what would later become the standard in unloading equipment for transfer trailers.
Keith introduces the <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> unloading system to the solid waste industry, establishing what would later become the standard in unloading equipment for transfer trailers.
<i>WALKING FLOOR</i> Europe BV opens in Coevorden, Netherlands.
The introduction of the RUNNING FLOOR II® Drive spurs an increased international demand for <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> systems.
Keith focuses on improving the RUNNING FLOOR II drive and develops the first high-speed moving floor system capable of unloading a 45' trailer in three minutes.
Further design enhancements in the RUNNING FLOOR II drive results in a heavy-duty moving floor system that is capable of moving 55-75 tons of material.
IMPACT™ flooring is introduced, allowing haulers to top load trailers without damaging the floor.
1990s
The LeakProof system is developed, with a front-mount drive system for trailers, and is leak proof up to 12 inches.
The LeakProof system is developed, with a front-mount drive system for trailers, and is leak proof up to 12 inches.
The LeakProof system is developed, with a front-mount drive system for trailers, and is leak proof up to 12 inches.
New offices in Canada and Europe are opened.
The unique DrivOn concept gains the attention of the cotton industry, expanding KEITH’s market segments.
KEITH enters the ice storage industry with the introduction of the company’s patented ice bin design.
The first V-FLOOR® system for stationary applications is installed at a waste transfer station.
2000s
Keith Foster is inducted into the Environmental Industry Association Hall of Fame for automating the unloading process and creating a safer work environment in the waste industry.
Keith Foster is inducted into the Environmental Industry Association Hall of Fame for automating the unloading process and creating a safer work environment in the waste industry.
Keith Foster is inducted into the Environmental Industry Association Hall of Fame for automating the unloading process and creating a safer work environment in the waste industry.
Splash Guard Bearing is introduced and increases slat life due to its increased surface area.
The V-FLOOR system is developed for the transport industry.
The Dock to Trailer and PALLET WALKER® systems are engineered to overcome the challenges of moving palletized goods with a standard <i>WALKING FLOOR</i> system.
The smaller, M-Series drive unit is introduced for smaller applications, opening up more untapped markets.
KEITH introduces the F-Series, the lightest weight standard-sized drive unit available.
The Splash Guard Hold-Down Bearing is designed and functions as three bearings in one, cutting installation time by half.

KEITH Mfg. Co. Model T with a KMD drive.

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