During the month of October, we shine a spotlight on the incredible innovations, processes, and stories that make Rotochopper a standout in the world of manufacturing. From cutting-edge technologies to time-honored craftsmanship, join us on a journey through the fascinating world of equipment production.
Individuals were invited to explore the latest advancements in manufacturing technology by participating in the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) virtual tour of manufacturing. The tour gave attendees an inside look into the rise of automation and robotics in Rotochopper’s state of the art manufacturing facility, and the world class equipment built there. Discover how these innovations are revolutionizing the way products are made and setting new standards for efficiency and precision by watching the video here.
Several area student groups took the time to tour Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility and see firsthand the opportunities available in the manufacturing industry. This included the West Stearns CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) group, the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) high school welding class, and the Kimball high school small engines class.
The West Stearns CEO class visited Rotochopper as part of their year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes. WSCEO’s mission is to grow the future leaders of Albany, Melrose, and Sauk Centre by connecting them to the leaders of today. The group toured Rotochopper on October 12, 2023. This year two of the students involved in the program have parents that work at Rotochopper and presented their badge fundraising project prior to the tour. While they were here they asked great questions about many areas of the business, but their top takeaways were: the wood recycling industry is growing and saves tons of waste headed for landfills each year, focus on what you’re good at, and be consistent in everything you do.
Mid-October the BBE welding class visited Rotochopper. They were attentive during the tour and had lots of great questions about the equipment building processes. The students were also curious about employment opportunities while still attending school, working hours, wages and benefits. Senior Toby Cebulla said, “I really enjoyed getting to see the behind the scenes of Rotochopper. It was very interesting learning about how each and every machine is designed and manufactured right in their shop. All in all it was a very great experience!”
Rounding out the student tours was the Kimball small engines class on October 24, 2023. The students found the panel/electrical shop most interesting during their visit. The students learned that it takes 30 hours to put a panel together for one Rotochopper machine. They also had questions about the telematics used on Rotochopper equipment and how it is used to check settings and monitor the performance of the horizontal grinder.
At the end of October Rotochopper participated in EPIC (Exploring Potential Interest & Careers) where Rotochopper employees, Keith Burg, Wyatt Ritter, Alex Bromenschenkel, and Vickie Zierden had the opportunity to meet with students to talk to them about careers in welding and manufacturing. Rotochopper donated the steel state of Minnesota cut outs and platforms used for the hands-on welding project. Both Wyatt and Alex helped teach students in the weld shop how to use a welder to complete their project. Vickie Zierden shared, “It was fun interacting with the students and being able to share the wide variety of career opportunities in manufacturing/STEM.”
As we wrap up Manufacturing Month, it’s clear that this industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving force. From technological advances to sustainable practices, October represents the diverse and multifaceted world of manufacturing. Join us in celebrating the ingenuity, passion, and dedication that continue to drive this remarkable field forward.