Irrigation Specialties was founded in 1974 by Tom and Martha Palmer. At the time it was a sales and service organization for side roll irrigation systems and underground pipe. In 1979 the company began selling both Reinke and T & L pivot irrigation systems. The Reinke line was dropped after eight years and the T&L line was continued until 2005.

In 1980 Irrigation Specialties purchased the building and land where they are currently located. At this same time they also started doing subcontract steel work for the Lockwood Corporation. In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer purchased Thompson Engineering and renamed it Palmer Engineering. This is when the company began making parts using turret lathe machines.

In September 2005, Irrigation Specialties was purchased by Chad Schneider, Rodney Schneider and Paul Siebke. Shortly after the exchange the T&L line was dropped and switched to the Valley product line and continues to sell and lay underground pipe. Irrigation Specialties also continues to operate the machine shop, which is currently responsible for subcontract steel work and parts machining for manufacturers in several different states.

In June 2008, Irrigation Specialties became a dealership for Brock Grain Systems.

In June 2010, 21st Century Equipment, LLC completed the purchase of the assets of Irrigation Specialties.   21st Century Equipment is a multi-store John Deere dealership headquartered in Bridgeport, Nebraska.  The new enterprise in Gering will operate as 21st Century Water Technologies, LLC. 21st Century Water Technologies will continues to operate in the current facility with the current staff in Gering.