WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today (Monday) announced her second Small Business of the Week for 2023: Red Oak Fabrication located in Montgomery County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Red Oak Fabrication is a family business that is being honored for its continued growth and success. Ted Fort started at Red Oak Fabrication as one of three employees. Through hard work and persistence he purchased the entire company in 1948. Today, the business is still owned and operated by the Fort family.

“I think we can all agree that small businesses are the backbone of America, and families are the heart. It gives me great pleasure to see Ted Fort’s hard work transcend generations to provide vital manufacturing services in my home county and across Iowa,” said Ranking Member Ernst.

Since its establishment over 100 years ago, the company has grown to four locations in Montgomery County. The locations offer powder coating, plate rolling, manual and robotic welding, and a Carhartt store to meet the demand of customers across the state. The Fort family legacy lives on through Ted’s children, grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren who have continued on his path of entrepreneurship and innovation.