Yard Works: Inside the KA Yard

Employees playing beanbag toss at the KA Yard BBQ

One of the summer social highlights for KA employees is the KA Yard BBQ in Circle Pines, Minnesota. With a pig roast, games, prizes, product demonstrations and open-house tours, it is a popular event that also builds awareness of the materials, equipment and resources available through the KA Yard for project teams.

Yard Manager Eric Domino explains.

What is the function of the KA Yard?

ERIC DOMINO: We are a service entity of Kraus-Anderson Construction that provides projects with the materials, equipment and resources needed to complete work on time and under budget.

How is the KA Yard changing?

ERIC DOMINO: We are changing the perception of the yard across Kraus-Anderson. We continually evolve to meet industry standards, stay current with the tool and equipment industry, provide quality products and introduce technology. We rent tools and equipment at 85% of the local rental rate and buy materials in bulk to remain competitive with local retail pricing.

Cleaning supplies available through the KA Yard

What sort of materials do you provide?

ERIC DOMINO: The yard has everything from office products, cleaning products, fasteners, hardware, access panels, tools and equipment to drywall, lumber, fire-treated lumber, small tools, large tools and heavy equipment. We also provide procurement services for items we do not carry that a jobsite may need.

What is the geographic range of KA offices and projects served from the Circle Pines Yard?

ERIC DOMINO: Anywhere. At the time, we were supplying projects in Watford City, North Dakota; Centerville, Ohio; Newark, Delaware; Chicago; Montana; and Bettendorf, Iowa, as well as throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. We will supply jobsites with the materials and equipment they need.

Cleaning products for hospital environments

What other yard offices did KA operate, and where were they located?

ERIC DOMINO: We had active yard operations in Bemidji, Rochester and Duluth, Minnesota. We had a great team:

  • Circle Pines Yard Operations: Dave Kummer, director of yard operations, fleet and facilities; and Eric Domino, manager of yard operations and purchasing agent.
  • Circle Pines Yard: Ryan Nelson, assistant yard manager and purchasing agent; Danielle Draheim, administrative assistant, billing and software specialist; Greg Ryder, shop foreman; Kurt Lafonataine, fabricator and carpenter; Lucas Arendts, large-equipment maintenance mechanic and driver; Ben Kloos, inventory lead and driver; and Dan Meyer, driver.
  • Duluth Yard Manager: Ethan Cole.
  • Rochester Yard Manager: Mike Runkle.
  • Bemidji Yard Manager: Fred Graves.

How does the Yard benefit KA’s clients?

ERIC DOMINO: We buy materials in bulk to help Kraus-Anderson remain competitive and pass savings to clients. Materials have included masonite, water, poly, lumber, concrete products, brooms, hard hats, vests and construction ribbon.

Ground-thawing equipment available through the KA Yard

What are some of the newer pieces of equipment in your inventory?

ERIC DOMINO:

  • Two Kubota UTV-900 utility vehicles.
  • Tri-Rex mobile fall-protection unit.
  • 60-kilowatt generator.
  • Flex Temp Fusion ground-thaw equipment.
  • Trauma-relief straps for body harnesses.
  • Rescue and recovery fall-protection system.
  • iPad gloves and vests.
  • Eight-foot tower extension for a lull lift.
  • Dustless grinding and cutting tools.
  • 500-cubic-foot-per-minute mini HEPA units.
  • Twenty- and 40-foot storage containers.
  • New 60-foot office trailers and roll-off office trailers.
  • Large assortment of office products.
  • New 5,000-pound JLG telehandler with an 18-foot reach.

Employees playing table tennis at the KA Yard BBQ

What were the plans for the KA Yard after the move to the new downtown offices?

ERIC DOMINO: The Circle Pines Yard would remain in place. We planned to carry on the BBQ tradition.

CATEGORY: KA Culture