Massey Ferguson Des Moines plant builds the Ski Whiz (1969-1973)

Massey-Ferguson entered the snowmobile business for the 1969 season with a big, well-built machine manufactured at the company’s Des Moines, Iowa, plant. Styled and hued after the company’s very successful line of farm tractors, and propelled by an industry-first internal drive track, Ski Whiz sleds were sold predominantly through a well-developed network of rural dealers and backed by Massey’s established parts and service operations. The company thought its snow machine would be a solid hit.

But by the time Massey had a couple of seasons under its belt the company understood that it had to add some style and sizzle to its heavy, homely, under-performing snow tractor or it was not going to succeed. So for the 1973 season the Ski Whiz was redesigned.  It started with a decidedly better overall appearance. Clean, new styling rounded off the corners and sharp edges while maintaining the basic Ski Whiz shape. The trademark red hood remained, but the chassis changed color from silver to black. Many details were upgraded including the windshield, seat, front bumper, ski spindles, storage compartment, gas tank, drive belt, passenger hand holds and snow flap. Safety improvements included an engine kill switch, side reflectors, larger taillights and a bigger handlebar pad. 

Sales jumped about 60 percent for the redesigned Ski Whiz, but success was fleeting. The expanded 1974 Massey lineup was essentially some warmed over 1973 models with a red-trim-on-black color scheme and some additional equipment choices. The energy crisis from the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the growing industry-wide glut of unsold inventory hurt sales of all brands, and Massey was certainly no exception.  But the heart of the problem was that the redesigned Ski Whiz retained too much obsolete technology — particularly the heavy, steel chassis and bogie wheel suspension. It’s sub-standard ride and handling received tepid magazine reviews when it got press at all. And lacking any kind of a performance image — because the company was one of the few recognizable names that wasn’t into racing — Massey could not compete for the trail racer buyers who were becoming a key segment of the fast evolving snowmobile market.  Massey discontinued production of the Ski Whiz in 1974.

Headquarters building of  Massey-Ferguson, Inc. corporate offices in Des Moines, Iowa, circa 1966.  Massey-Ferguson moved it's North American corporate offices to Des Moines in 1965, after Massey-Ferguson purchased the Solar Aircraft Company offices and manufacturing facility.   Solar Aircraft built the offices and plant in 1951.

Massey's North American corproate offices in Des Moines employed 500 workers, who supported the operations of more than 12,000 employees across North America.  Support in Des Moines included the major share of MF's product and sales planning, finance and distribution control, personnel, industrial relations, legal services, traffic, purchasing, and merchandising.  That's why many MF tractor brochures from 1966-1980 will say "Massey Ferguson, 1901 Bell Ave., Des Moines, Iowa".  That doesn't mean the tractor or implement featured in the brochure was made here, but the corporate headquarters, and the marketing staff that produced the brochure, were.

Aerial view of the Massey Ferguson factory and corporate offices in Des Moines, Iowa, circa 1966.    Chicago & Great Western railroad tracks to north, adjacent to Gray's Lake; downtown Des Moines in the upper margin of photo. Bell Ave. to south of parking lot.

At it's peak employment in the late 1970s, the Massey Ferguson plant at 1901 Bell Ave in Des Moines employed more than 700 workers on the production line, with another 500 in the corporate offices.

This blogspot site is designed to provide information and history on the Massey Ferguson, Inc. agricultural implement and tractor factory that operated in Des Moines, Iowa from 1965-1981.  Massey Ferguson, Inc. moved it's corporate offices from Detroit, Michigan to 1901 Bell Ave. in Des Moines, Iowa in 1965, and opened an implement assembly and manufacturing operation of almost 600,000 square ft. at the same time.  At peak operation the plant employed more than 700 workers from central Iowa, and another 2,500 workers within the management and marketing division at the headquarters office.

My father was an assemblyman at the plant from 1967-1981.     I have collected information on the plant history and operations to share with all, and if there is other information, photos, facts, or memorabilia which you have that you would like to post or share with me, I will be happy to incorporate it into this site.

Sincerely,

Mel Pins
Des Moines, Iowa
melpins69@gmail.com