TEAM Industries Audubon proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of innovation, dedication, and community support. Founded in 1984 as Audubon Engineering and Manufacturing, and then changing its name to TEAM Industries to encompass all the TEAM facilities as one in 1999. TEAM Audubon has grown to become a cornerstone of the local economy and a leader in manufacturing gears and shafts for drivetrains in the recreational vehicle, off-road, agricultural, and turf care markets.

As TEAM Audubon celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to being a family-owned business. This approach fosters a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees, who are treated as an extended family. TEAM prioritizes its workforce, offering exceptional benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. The company also promotes from within, with many team members starting out of high school and have become supervisors, managers, and other roles that have furthered their careers. Additionally, TEAM provides an apprenticeship program for local students to earn school credits and learn a trade that they will take with them as they graduate. 

To commemorate this milestone, TEAM Audubon is hosting a series of events and prizes for its team members, celebrating their contributions and dedication over the past 40 years. What a fantastic way to celebrate 40 years of dedication and hard work! Ice cream breaks, week-long Bingo, and photo guessing games. Plus, prizes and gifts for everyone. They are also inviting past retirees to join in for coffee, cookies and tour how much the facility has grown.  To conclude the festivities, they celebrated with the community at their Trunk or Treat event

At the heart of TEAM’s success is its unique status as a family-owned and operated business. Founder Don Ricke’s compassion and commitment to helping those in need have been integral to the company’s ethos. Shortly after opening its first plant, TEAM began donating funds to the local communities, supporting technology in rural Minnesota schools, and ensuring that youth in these areas have the same advantages as those in larger communities.  

Through the TEAM Foundation, which has its 25-year anniversary this year, the company continues to give back to local schools, healthcare, and community service programs. TEAM Industries has contributed to the building and support of our DLCCC, the DL Boys and Girls Club, Detroit Mountain, Becker County Museum and many shelter centers such as Lakes Area Crisis Center.  They are also a big part of sponsoring and supporting many STEM events, robotics teams, and the local schools.

TEAM’s commitment to community service extends to volunteering time and resources, from spreading cheer to parents in pick-up lines to building boxes for programs like Sam’s Meals. This dedication to benevolence and community support is a hallmark of TEAM and TEAM Foundation.

TEAM Industries was established by Don Ricke, who envisioned bringing quality employment opportunities to rural areas. The Ricke family’s commitment to rural communities began with their first facility in Cambridge, MN, in 1967, and continued with the opening of TEAM Audubon in 1984. Today, TEAM Industries produces over 900,000 assemblies annually, with TEAM Audubon playing a crucial role in manufacturing the components for those assemblies.

The company’s corporate headquarters, located in Bagley since 1992, houses some of the world’s top engineers who design, prototype, test, and develop products for their customers. Over the years, TEAM has expanded its footprint with facilities in Park Rapids (1994), Detroit Lakes (1995), Andrews, North Carolina (2005), and two plants in Ramos, Mexico (2013 and 2020).

Congratulations to TEAM Industries Audubon on reaching this incredible milestone. Here’s to many more years of success and innovation ahead! And we look forward to celebrating TEAM Detroit Lakes, 30th Anniversary in 2025.