With the metal fabrication industry expected to grow almost 5% by 2028, there is a rising demand for manufactured goods in construction, automotive, and aeronautics. While these sectors are essential for the growth of the metal industry, they must adapt to the increasing need for sustainability. Through companies pooling their efforts into minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption, they can continue this upward trend while leaving little to no carbon footprint.
One of the companies contributing to a greener practice is Minnesota Implement, the best source for custom skid loader and skid steer attachments in the West Concord community. Due to the freedom of their smaller shop, they can offer attachments custom-made for any construction vehicle, providing you with something perfectly fitted for your needs. Just send one of your current attachments to them to copy and resize through a process that brings excess material to a minimum and runs less than 5% non-usable waste. Practices like these contribute to a more sustainable metal industry for Minnesota- keeping our state green in the process.
The company has used American-made products since their release in 1998 but has worked in the landscaping industry for over fifty years. With experienced workers in welding, manufacturing, and fabrication, they specialize in attachments such as the Buckthorn Tree and Post Puller. Clearing land for agriculture has never been easier, as removing a tree or pole is as simple as ripping it out by its base. Their guarantee of providing the perfect attachment for any vehicle doesn’t just apply to Buckthorn Pullers- lightweight and durable snow plows, grapple buckets to clear logs and debris, trench diggers, hoe arms, grading planers, rakes, forks, and trailer hitches are all available through their website.
With such a vast selection of products, it’s crucial to have a straightforward process of planning, building, and bringing the item into customers’ hands to ensure the smoothest buying experience. After interviewing the company about their manufacturing process, it was clear that several steps outline this crucial part of fabrication.
What is your process of creating products, from receiving an order to putting it in the hands of a customer?
Minnesota Implement: Most of our equipment comes from a deep understanding of the product and how we can have it function to the best of the client’s needs. When a customer comes to us with a unique idea or project, we refine their idea using decades of experience to turn it into the best product possible.
90% of our production process is done on-site, from the raw steel stock to cutting, machining, welding, painting, and assembling the order. Only the rolling process of our plow skin backboard and a few laser-cut parts are outsourced.
The design process is done entirely on paper and by fabrication and refinement. Being hands-on, our company doesn’t use any computer design in our manufacturing process. A laser cutter would help speed up our operations, but it isn’t a high priority at our production level.
Which of your products is the most popular?
Snow plows and tree pullers are the bulk of our orders, with our total yearly production rate at around 200 to 270 units. While other market offerings focus only on efficiency, we specifically develop our designs to maximize fit and function for the client.
You used to have one location in Afton and the other in West Concord. What is the history behind them, and what differentiates the two stores?
We started fabricating equipment in 1998, operating under the original name of Koeckeritz Iron and Steel. Since it didn't fully represent what our company does, we rebranded to Minnesota Implement Inc. in 2014. Our original shop in Afton was a 600 sq ft addition on the side of my dad's pole building, which functioned very well for us as a two-person operation. However, its size severely limited the ability to grow our business and take on larger contracts.
In 2019, our wish to expand the shop came true after purchasing the old hardware store on 207 Main St. in West Concord. From there, we would operate out of both locations, keeping daily fabrication work at Afton and making West Concord our dealer lot, warehouse, and alternate workshop. The “5-year plan” was to eventually build or buy a house in West Concord and fully move the business there.
Fortunately, Minnesota Implement’s took shape before COVID hit when they bought a home in West Concord. Due to the small size of their shop, the pandemic seemed to benefit them, and they grew impressively despite the economic turmoil. While larger businesses were forced to shut down, their company was considered essential amidst the struggling time. In 2022, a welding shop bought on the other end of the block was the final puzzle piece they needed to complete their operations. With its purchase, they successfully moved their shop to West Concord and now work there full-time.
Our 3-year growth plan is to get the old hardware store set up and functioning as a dealer lot, showroom, and distribution center. The fabrication shop on 268 Main will grow from 3 workers to an 8 to 12 full-time employee operation. We are now seeking dealers and investors to help us with this next stage of our evolution. (Minn. Implement)
If you want to help make this plan a reality, need a new attachment for your vehicle, or a custom order like the eight-foot metal dog they built for a client’s park, contact Minnesota Implement at 651-269-5688 or check out their website! They’ll turn the ideas in your head or scribble on a napkin into something functional and beautiful.
While companies like Minnesota Implement are making great strides toward a more sustainable society, they can only do so much. That’s not to say supporting your local businesses does nothing, but a massive part of keeping our community green depends on us. It’s up to the people to do their part, conserve excess energy and power, limit disposable items and food waste, and, most importantly- make their impact sustainable.
