When Matt Baty started his career as a technician, he was typically surrounded by a staff of people in their 60s who were less-than-eager to help a young tech learn the ropes. It was a common situation that repeated itself at most of his early jobs. Today, Matt finds himself as the Cedar Rapids branch’s requisite elder – despite being just 46 – and he is doing what he can to avoid being the “cranky old guy.” “When I started in the industry, the older guys in the shops I worked in weren’t the most welcoming,” recalled Matt. “It wasn’t very fun. Now that I’m in that same position, I don’t want to be that way. A lot of the techs here are in their 20s, and I want to mentor them and help them enjoy this job. I don’t want them to feel like I did.” Matt’s position as Shop Foreman provides him ample opportunities to take on interesting projects and work with the technicians at the Cedar Rapids branch. “Working primarily in the shop, I get the chance to work on some of the bigger and the weirde...

Our very own Territory Manager Wade Stromgren was a featured guest on the Let the Sawdust Fly podcast. Wade joined host Pete Wood, logger from Canyon, Minn., to learn more about the history of forestry equipment. The conversation covers the first “hot saws,” continues through todays’ state-of-the-art machines and finishes with a look at what technology holds for the future of forestry equipment.   Listen to the full podcast here:   https://wdsm710.com/podcasts-let-the-sawdust-fly/  

Kim Grippe started with the Virginia Road Machinery & Supplies Co. branch in 1979 at the recommendation of one of her neighbors. Growing up on the Iron Range in Biwabik, Minn., the idea of working in heavy equipment wasn’t foreign to Kim, it was encouraging. “I always wanted to be in this kind of work,” Kim explained. “My dad and family all worked in the mines, so I wanted to be in that area. I had just finished technical school, so I applied and got the job.” Fresh out of school, Kim started at the Virginia branch as Service Clerk. The next 22 years saw Kim move around the branch, taking new jobs and picking up more responsibilities. Her role grew to include warranty work and eventually a position as the Parts Clerk. “I just always felt good working here,” noted Kim. “This area and the industries we serve are close-knit, and we look out for each other, and RMS really represents that approach.” Kim no doubt would have an uninterrupted 42-year run at RMS if it weren’t for the shutdo...