One of the highlights of working with Portable Plants and our sister publication Pit & Quarry is getting out and seeing first-hand the equipment and technology we write about on a daily basis.
Whether it’s at an operation or a manufacturer’s production facility, it’s always a unique experience to either see equipment in action or see how it is made.
This summer, I had the opportunity to visit two manufacturers – VDG (Van der Graaf) and NPK. You can read about both visits in this month’s issue on pages 26 and 27, respectively.
While the visits offered very different experiences, there was, ironically, one common theme: Both companies were celebrating their 40th anniversary.
Longevity isn’t an uncommon trait for companies in the construction materials industry – some companies are pushing or have surpassed a decade in operation – but these milestones are still something to celebrate.
In a time when job hopping has become more common, lasting four decades – with no signs of slowing down – is an indication that companies like these have created environments where employees want to stay. It also speaks to the trust and respect that their customers have in them, and the dedication their leadership has to continue putting out quality products.
Takeaways
Outside of each company’s anniversary celebrations, the visits to VDG and NPK left me impressed in different ways.
At VDG’s manufacturing facility in Shelby Township, Michigan, the emphasis was on thinking America, buying American and building American. The drum motor manufacturer does just that, producing every component of its GrizzlyDrive drum motor in-house. The only materials VDG sources elsewhere, according to president Alex Kanaris, are steel, tubes and shafts.
With the common supply chain struggles companies face these days, having in-house, U.S.-driven manufacturing is not just good for business, but an understandble source of pride for VDG.
Visiting NPK’s facility in Walton Hills, Ohio, for Demo Days, I saw first-hand a spectacular manufacturer-dealer partnership at work. With a few dozen employees from both NPK and its local dealer, Murphy Tractor & Equipment, on-hand, it was clear from the moment I stepped on site how well these companies work together.
It was great seeing NPK’s equipment in action breaking up recycled concrete. What will really stick with me, though, is how important it is to have a great teammate and be a great teammate in return.