Delong Sportswear Inc history

In the spring of 1951, William E. DeLong and Jesse DeLong passed away April 10th and April 29th, respectively.

Delmar E. DeLong started with the company after his return from the Army in 1955.

The DeLong Co. introduced liquid fertilizer in 1957, the first in the State of Wisconsin to do so.

In 1961, the company leased the former Bowman Dairy Co. plant for its wholesale feed distribution warehouse.

Some land was also purchased in the soon to be established Clinton Industrial Park and an 80,000 bushel grain bin was built in the fall of 1972.

Bo started full-time in 1974 working in the fertilizer division.

David started full-time in 1975 working in the fertilizer division.

William DeLong, Jr. deceased January 9th, 1982 after an accident and brief illness, having spent 53 years with the company, the last 31 years as its chief managing partner and later president.

As this business has grown and the inability to expand at the Clinton facility, the company purchased a grain elevator in Kirby, OH in 1984 and presently processes food corn and soybeans at both locations.

By providing the best staff and services for the growers of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, the agronomy department has been recognized in Farm Chemical Magazine as one of the nation's top 100 dealers since annual listing started in 1985.

In the fall of 1987, the Bowman Fertilizer plant in Winnebago, Illinois, as well as the Cropmate Company fertilizer plant in Evansville, Wisconsin were purchased.

By 2007, the grain division had grown significantly to become the largest containerized agricultural shipper in the country, and a major supplier of food grade corn and soybeans worldwide.

The company purchased Racine Grain in 2014, expanding grain and fertilizer operations to the Union Grove area.

In 2016, the company purchased the Gavilon Grain elevator in Avalon, Wisconsin.

In 2019, the grain division added seven elevator locations with the purchase of the Demeter LP and Seegers Grain Operations.