Yard Works: Inside the KA Yard
One of the social highlights of the summer for KA employees is the KA Yard BBQ in the northern Twin Cities suburb of Circle Pines. With a pig roast feast, games, prizes, product demos and open house tours, it’s a relaxing, popular event that also serves to build awareness of the latest and greatest offerings provided by this “one stop shop” resource for KA job sites. Yard Manager Eric Domino explains.
Q: In general terms, what is the function of the KA Yard?
ERIC DOMINO: We are a service entity of Kraus Anderson Construction that provides our projects with the materials, equipment, and resources to effectively complete projects on time and under budget.
Q: How is the KA Yard changing?
ERIC DOMINO: We are changing the perception of the yard as a whole in Kraus Anderson– continuously evolving to meet industry standards, staying current with the tool and equipment industry, supply quality products, provide innovative technology, renting tools and equipment at 85% the local rental rate, and bulk buying material to be competitive with local retail pricing.
Q: What sort of materials do you provide?
ERIC DOMINO: The yard has everything from office product, cleaning products, fasteners, hardware, access panels, tools and equipment, drywall, lumber, fire treated lumber, small tool, large tools and heavy equipment. We also provide procurement services for any items that we don’t carry that the jobsite may need.
Q: What is the geographic range of KA offices/projects served from the Circle Pines Yard?
ERIC DOMINO: Anywhere! We are currently supplying projects in Watford City, ND; Centerville, Ohio; Newark, DE; Chicago, IL; Montana; and Bettendorf, IA. And of course, all of MN and WI. We will supply any jobsite with everything they need.
Q: What other yard offices does KA operate? Where are they?
ERIC DOMINO: We have active yard operations in: Bemidji, MN; Rochester, MN; and Duluth, MN. We have a great team:
CP Yard Operations- Dave Kummer(Director of Yard Operations, Fleet, Facilities) and Eric Domino (Manager of Yard Operations /Purchasing Agent)
CP Yard – Ryan Nelson (Assistant Yard Manager/Purchasing Agent), Danielle Draheim (Administrative Assistant/billing /software specialist), Greg Ryder (shop foreman), Kurt Lafonataine (fabricator/carpenter), Lucas Arendts (Large equipment maintenance mechanic and driver), Ben Kloos (inventory lead and driver), Dan Meyer (driver)
Duluth Yard Manager- Ethan Cole
Rochester Yard Manager- Mike Runkle
Bemidji Yard Manager- Fred Graves
Q: How does the Yard benefit KA’s clients?
ERIC DOMINO: We buy everything in bulk to allow Kraus Anderson to be more competitive. This allows us to pass the savings on to our clients. Some of these materials have included masonite, water, poly, lumber, concrete products, brooms, hard hats, vests, construction ribbon, etc.
Q: What are some of the newer pieces of equipment in your inventory?
ERIC DOMINO:
- 2- UTV -900 Kubota
- Tri-rex Mobile Fall Protection Unit
- 60KW generator
- Flex Temp Fusion Ground Thaw
- Trauma Relief straps for body harnesses
- Rescue and recovery fall protection system
- iPad gloves and vests
- 8 ft tower extension for lull lift
- Dustless grinding and cutting tools
- 500 CFM mini HEPA units
- 20 and 40 ft storage containers
- New 60ft office trailers and roll-off office trailers
- Large assortment of office products
- New 5,000 JLG telehandler with 18ft reach
Q: What are plans for the KA Yard once we move into the new downtown offices next year?
ERIC DOMINO: The CP Yard will remain here. We plan to carry on the tradition of the BBQ!
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