From a Small-Town Kid With a Big Dream

Kory grew up in rural South Dakota immersed in farming, steam culture, machinery, and the skilled trades. At around nine years old, he learned about the legendary 150 Case Road Locomotive. Although none of the original tractors survived intact, Kory began dreaming of rebuilding the world's largest steam traction engine.

Kory pursued hands-on training through a welding apprenticeship at Larson Welding in Fargo, North Dakota. The experience gave him practical welding, fabrication, problem-solving, and shop-floor knowledge that would become the foundation of his manufacturing career.

Kory left North Dakota State University to pursue entrepreneurship and manufacturing full time. Instead of following a traditional career path, he bet on his skills, his work ethic, and his ability to build something of his own.

Kory started a portable welding business from his garage. He took on difficult jobs, served agricultural and industrial customers, and built his reputation through quality work, speed, and a willingness to tackle challenges others avoided. The business grew into a major manufacturing operation with a team of approximately 100 people across Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota.

Kory served as CEO of North America for HORSCH Anderson. This leadership role deepened his experience in agricultural equipment, product development, manufacturing, dealer relationships, business strategy, and the needs of American farmers.

Kory acquired Dakota Foundry in Webster, South Dakota. The acquisition preserved an important American manufacturing operation and gave Kory and his team the iron-casting capabilities needed to manufacture the hundreds of unique components required for the 150 Case project.

After years of research, engineering, casting, machining, fabrication, and determination, Kory debuted his fully operational recreation of the 150 Case steam engine. The 75,000-pound machine contained more than 250 unique castings and represented the return of an American engineering legend lost for over a century. The achievement captured worldwide attention, generated tens of millions of online views, and in 2022 earned Kory a Guinness World Record — officially recognized as the Largest Steam-Powered Tractor in Operation.

Kory founded Iron Warrior Academy as a nonprofit dedicated to introducing young people to welding, machining, fabrication, foundry work, engineering, and other skilled trades. The Academy was built around mentorship, character, discipline, craftsmanship, and Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

During the pandemic, Kory and his team responded to supply-chain shortages by developing and manufacturing American-made fitness equipment. This work grew into Iron Warrior, including the patented Warbell, and demonstrated how domestic manufacturing can adapt, innovate, and protect American jobs during difficult times.

Kory expanded his manufacturing footprint by acquiring Muncie Castings in Indiana and establishing Anderson Foundries as the parent company for his growing foundry operations. The acquisition added aluminum-casting capabilities and advanced Kory's mission to preserve and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.

Dakota Foundry was named a 2025 CO—100 Enduring Business by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and recognized as the #9 Most Innovative Manufacturing Company of 2026 by Fast Company. Anderson Foundries was featured in Google's 2025 Economic Impact Report. The American Foundry Society recognized the team's casting work. These honors reflect the quality, innovation, and impact of the entire Made By Anderson team.

Kory and Ali Anderson traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with senators, representatives, and national business leaders. They advocated for American manufacturing, the metalcasting industry, small businesses, workforce development, and the urgent need to rebuild the nation's skilled-trades pipeline.

Kory leads a growing family of American-made companies while championing the people and skills that build the country. Through national speaking engagements, television interviews, podcasts, manufacturing advocacy, educational programs, and Iron Warrior Academy, he is helping change how Americans view skilled-trades careers. His message is clear: the skilled trades are not a backup plan. They are essential to America's economy, infrastructure, national security, and future.