Tom and Rhonda Peed founded Sandhills Global (then called Peed Corporation) in 1978, transforming an old blacksmith shop in Webster City, Iowa, into their first office. With a small team of just seven employees, they launched Machinery Trader, the company’s inaugural publication focused on the used construction equipment market. Each issue was crafted by hand: the team meticulously placed images and content on every page, bound the books, and labeled each copy themselves. The first print run was 20,000 copies—a small beginning for a magazine that would eventually reach millions worldwide.

Following the success of Machinery Trader, Sandhills Global steadily expanded. Over the following decades, the company launched additional publications to serve specific niches within construction, agriculture, transportation, and aviation. Embracing digital innovation as early as the 1980s, Sandhills developed online solutions that enabled equipment, aircraft, and vehicle dealers to reach a broader audience worldwide. As the company grew, Sandhills relocated its

With ongoing investment in advanced print technology, the company expanded its distribution channels and capabilities, allowing it to create industry-specific publications tailored for buyers and sellers across its core markets.

Today, Sandhills operates one of the printing industry’s most sophisticated facilities. Thanks to state-of-the-art print and bindery equipment, Sandhills now distributes millions of copies of its publications each month, continuing its legacy of connecting industries worldwide.

Early and ongoing investments in print technology and the calculated expansion of its distribution channels led to the launch of industry-specific publications for buyers and sellers in the agriculture, transportation, and aviation industries.

The press facility operates 24/7, utilizing digital direct-to-plate technology to produce up to 1.76 million pages per hour, with a bindery that can stitch up
to 22,000 books per hour.

Sandhills Global operates as a bridge connecting buyers and sellers in key industries worldwide through a dual approach of print publications and digital platforms. With millions of publications strategically distributed across various markets, the company has established a solid foundation in print while also investing in robust, state-of-the-art servers and technology infrastructure. This digital infrastructure supports both Sandhills’ operations and its global customer base, ensuring secure, high-capacity performance that meets evolving industry demands.

Over time, Sandhills has expanded its reach beyond niche markets, providing solutions across retail, rental, wholesale, and auction sectors. With significant investments in data processing, the company offers businesses crucial, real-time market and asset insights.

These insights empower clients to make well-informed decisions in both core and peripheral industries, enhancing efficiency and productivity through cutting-edge technology.

While technological advancements are integral to Sandhills’ success, its core strength lies in its workforce and company culture. The organization fosters a collaborative, fast-paced environment that encourages creativity, growth, and entrepreneurial thinking. Sandhills’ culture of service extends beyond business objectives to include community engagement. The company actively collaborates with local nonprofits, organizes community events, volunteers, and matches employee donations, cultivating a spirit of stewardship and giving back to the communities it serves.