MOSES LAKE — Valley Irrigation recently announced it has recognized Lad Irrigation of Moses Lake as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer. Lad Irrigation earned the award "for excelling in the areas of service, aftermarket support, and sales."

The Valley Performance Program evaluates dealers based on customer service ratings, goal achievements, and core requirements in relation to dealership growth plans. Consideration is also given to the complete customer experience and support after the sale, according to the press release.

Lad Irrigation President and General Manager Randy Gubler said the award was the result of "a lot of hard work on the part of all employees at Lad. We're happy and proud to have been awarded. The requirements (for the award) increase every year. We've got to continue to improve each year. We've gotten this award each year for six to eight years now."

Rich Panowicz, Valley Irrigation's vice president of North American sales, said, "The honor of being known as a Valley Performance Plus Dealer exemplifies the dedication of the dealership to Valley products and the commitment to providing superior service to our customers before and after the sale. The Valley Performance Program allows us the opportunity to reinforce the valuations that lead to success."

According to its web site, Lad Irrigation Corporation began in 1957 and employs 70 people in their Othello, George, and Moses Lake branches. Lad is "focused on doing things that improve irrigation-saving water, saving energy, and increasing the efficiency in both agricultural and domestic settings. We believe that irrigation is essential to sustaining and enhancing the standard of living of a growing world population."

In 1995, Lad founders Arlie and Aurora Updegrave sold 51 percent of the company to employees, forming an Employee Stock Ownership Program. In 2007, Lad employees purchased the remaining 49 percent of stock from the Updegraves, making Lad an entirely employee-owned business.

Their Moses Lake store is located at 1030 East Broadway Ave. and can be reached at 509-765-8864.