There’s Good News: KEITH Manufacturing in Madras earns Oregon Trailblazer Award for global expansion

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- KEITH Manufacturing Co. has been named a recipient of the 2026 Global Trailblazer Award by the Oregon Consular Corps (OCC). The regional manufacturing leader was celebrated alongside fellow Oregon honorees Calbee America, Orchard View Farms, and the Oregon Hazelnut Industry at the annual Celebrate Trade Gala, recently held at the Portland Art Museum.

The annual award honors Northwest companies that strengthen Oregon’s trade-based economy, drive international market expansion, and foster vital global relationships. This year's distinction highlights KEITH's growing international presence and its recent expansion into high-growth agricultural and material handling sectors in India and the Middle East.

"Global business pushes you out of your comfort zone, and success in new markets requires patience, flexibility, and perseverance," said Lindsay Foster-Drago, Director at KEITH Manufacturing Co. “This award recognizes the dedication of our team members, dealers, and partners around the world who have helped make that growth possible.”

Headquartered in Madras, Oregon, the third-generation, family-owned company has deep agricultural roots. Founder Keith Foster’s earliest inventions in the 1950s were developed to solve challenges facing local farmers before he later engineered the KEITH WALKING FLOOR® hydraulic unloading system. Today, the company builds world-class unloading technology used by small farmers and major global food enterprises to safely and efficiently move bulk agricultural products—including cotton seed, grains, canola, rice husks, and compost.

While remaining firmly anchored in Central Oregon, KEITH has grown into a global company with wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Australia, and India, with an additional international location scheduled to open later this year.

"Our philosophy has always been centered on customer-driven problem solving—listening today to design for tomorrow," added Foster-Drago. "Seeing our global customers successfully grow their business and increase efficiency by integrating a WALKING FLOOR® system into their operations is incredibly rewarding."

In addition to celebrating regional business achievements, the Celebrate Trade Gala serves as a major fundraiser for the Oregon Consular Corps Scholarship Fund, underwriting international studies and global business education for exceptional students across six regional universities.

Additional information about the Celebrate Trade Gala and Global Trailblazer Awards is available from the Oregon Consular Corps.