When the United States Soil Conservation Service needed to develop a tool for soil sampling, they turned to a small Idaho machine shop founded by Art Vollweiler in 1942. Vollweiler designed the first soil auger, which proved to be so effective that it’s still in use today. That project laid the foundation for a company built on solving challenges that existing equipment couldn’t address.
As the business expanded, Art’s Machine Shop became Art’s Manufacturing & Supply (AMS), guided by Vollweiler’s philosophy that every product is a “Work of Art.” In the 1980s, his son Rick extended the company’s reach into international markets, transforming AMS from a regional supplier into a global competitor. In 2002, Marc Chipps joined the leadership team, driving technical improvements and broadening the product line. Today, Marc’s sons Brehn and Braydon represent the fourth generation of family leadership, continuing the tradition of innovation rooted in legacy.
Over the years, AMS has earned a reputation for building specialized solutions. As Marc explains, “One of the reasons people always come to AMS is that, with decades of experience in manufacturing equipment, we’ve built a reputation worldwide.”
Four generations later, AMS remains grounded in the same principle: designing tools that meet the exact needs of professionals in the field. That philosophy continues to attract clients in the agriculture, geotechnical, environmental, and groundwater industries, as well as universities and training programs preparing the next generation of experts.
AMS now offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive lines of specialized equipment. Their soil sampling portfolio features tools such as soil probes, soil augers, and soil core samplers, designed for precise analysis across diverse field conditions. The company also manufactures instruments for soil gas detection, samplers for sludge and sediment monitoring, geotechnical tools for evaluating foundation stability and infrastructure, and groundwater equipment for collecting samples and tracking water levels. This range of equipment provides professionals with the reliable data needed to guide research, manage resources, and support long-term sustainability.
Many clients begin their search on the AMS website, where detailed product information supports clear decision-making. Some purchase equipment directly online, while others connect with experienced sales staff for tailored guidance. This approach reflects the belief that equipment selection should always be guided by a clear understanding of the project’s scope of work.
Education is also a central focus. AMS supplies colleges, universities, and training programs with equipment that supports hands-on learning. Students gain practical skills that prepare them for careers in the same industries that continue to rely on AMS worldwide.
One example of AMS equipment in action comes from Brigham Young University, where researchers examined how soil water content varies within irrigated crop fields to improve variable rate irrigation (VRI). Knowing how to divide a field into irrigation zones is critical for VRI systems, yet collecting the necessary number of soil samples had previously been slow and labor-intensive. With AMS’s soil probes, the team was able to sample up to one hundred locations at multiple depths in just a few hours. The dense data made it possible to define irrigation zones more accurately and integrate them with field information such as elevation, yield maps, and soil imagery. Their studies have since documented both water savings and reduced leaching, demonstrating how AMS tools help turn research into practical, sustainable solutions.
Today, AMS continues to balance its legacy with innovation, focusing on quality, service, and the evolving needs of industries worldwide. That vision reflects the founding spirit of 1942 and points toward a future built on both tradition and progress.
As the business expanded, Art’s Machine Shop became Art’s Manufacturing & Supply (AMS), guided by Vollweiler’s philosophy that every product is a “Work of Art.” In the 1980s, his son Rick extended the company’s reach into international markets, transforming AMS from a regional supplier into a global competitor. In 2002, Marc Chipps joined the leadership team, driving technical improvements and broadening the product line. Today, Marc’s sons Brehn and Braydon represent the fourth generation of family leadership, continuing the tradition of innovation rooted in legacy.
Over the years, AMS has earned a reputation for building specialized solutions. As Marc explains, “One of the reasons people always come to AMS is that, with decades of experience in manufacturing equipment, we’ve built a reputation worldwide.”
Four generations later, AMS remains grounded in the same principle: designing tools that meet the exact needs of professionals in the field. That philosophy continues to attract clients in the agriculture, geotechnical, environmental, and groundwater industries, as well as universities and training programs preparing the next generation of experts.
AMS now offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive lines of specialized equipment. Their soil sampling portfolio features tools such as soil probes, soil augers, and soil core samplers, designed for precise analysis across diverse field conditions. The company also manufactures instruments for soil gas detection, samplers for sludge and sediment monitoring, geotechnical tools for evaluating foundation stability and infrastructure, and groundwater equipment for collecting samples and tracking water levels. This range of equipment provides professionals with the reliable data needed to guide research, manage resources, and support long-term sustainability.
Many clients begin their search on the AMS website, where detailed product information supports clear decision-making. Some purchase equipment directly online, while others connect with experienced sales staff for tailored guidance. This approach reflects the belief that equipment selection should always be guided by a clear understanding of the project’s scope of work.
Education is also a central focus. AMS supplies colleges, universities, and training programs with equipment that supports hands-on learning. Students gain practical skills that prepare them for careers in the same industries that continue to rely on AMS worldwide.
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One of the reasons people always come to AMS is that, with decades of experience in manufacturing equipment, we’ve built a reputation worldwide.
One example of AMS equipment in action comes from Brigham Young University, where researchers examined how soil water content varies within irrigated crop fields to improve variable rate irrigation (VRI). Knowing how to divide a field into irrigation zones is critical for VRI systems, yet collecting the necessary number of soil samples had previously been slow and labor-intensive. With AMS’s soil probes, the team was able to sample up to one hundred locations at multiple depths in just a few hours. The dense data made it possible to define irrigation zones more accurately and integrate them with field information such as elevation, yield maps, and soil imagery. Their studies have since documented both water savings and reduced leaching, demonstrating how AMS tools help turn research into practical, sustainable solutions.
Today, AMS continues to balance its legacy with innovation, focusing on quality, service, and the evolving needs of industries worldwide. That vision reflects the founding spirit of 1942 and points toward a future built on both tradition and progress.
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