Supporting FFA Corn Drive

Once again K&S Millwrights was happy to support Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart FFA’s Corn Drive with a donation. Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart FFA (Future Farmers of America) organizes a Corn Drive yearly. The proceeds benefit Camp Courage, a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities.

FFA Corn DriveThe local community has participated in this drive since 1955 and donated over $127,000 dollars throughout that time! It is a cause K&S is proud to support. Until this year the largest year of donations was in 2014 when $8,000 was collected. This year’s drive has already exceeded that number and continues gathering donations until October 15th.

Why is it called a Corn Drive?

The name “Corn Drive” has been used for years. Traditionally donations came from farmers in the form of grain/crop pledges. Over the years donations have transitioned to cash which now makes up 90% of the contributions. Because of this transition, local businesses are also included in this worthwhile effort. Since corn/grain donations are still offered, BLHS FFA works with South Central Grain and Energy to keep track of grain donations.

FFA & Community

Many FFA Chapters gather donations to support community and philanthropy. BLHS FFA is a small chapter with 30 members across our three communities. Even though they are smaller than many chapters they continuously remain in the top 10 MN chapters for contributions. In 2014 they were fifth in the state and in 2015 they came in sixth in the state for contributions. BLHS FFA will find out where they stand against other MN FFA chapter for contributions at the MN State FFA Convention in April 2017.

K&S Millwrights enjoys supporting the FFA chapter, the students in the organization and Camp Courage, the recipient of the donations. Camp Courage allows children and adolescents living with blood disorders or cancer the opportunity to experience camp and outdoor activities at NO COST. It provides them the opportunity to play with and learn from other peers with similar healthcare issues, providing a setting that gives everyone the opportunity to gain coping skills and understanding in relation to their diagnosis, while building up self-esteem and support. Camp courage is staffed by trained medical and support staff.

Consider giving your own donation to the cause, there is still time. Contact Mrs. Jill Grams in the Ag Department at the BLHS high school, the advisor in charge of the FFA organization. She can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 320-848-2233.

Rainfall Creates Harvest Challenges

Over summer many areas of Minnesota received high amounts of rainfall and that continued into the fall harvest season. Some farmers are having a hard time getting combines into fields to harvest. Others are concerned about crop drying needs this may cause.

Wet cornfield harvestSmall grain harvesting was impacted earlier this year in some areas as the Star Tribune reported. Excessive rainfall continued through September which can be seen in this MPR news story. This all starts to work against farmers as they labor to get crops harvested before the seasons change and snow falls. While there should still be time to complete harvest we never know with Minnesota weather.

K & S Millwrights’ trained staff offers 24-hour service on all your drying equipment.  No matter when you need help, support or parts, our number one goal is to get you through harvest with little down time.  We know that is important to you, and you are important to us!  We hope and pray for beautiful harvest weather for everyone.

Fall Harvest Is Near – We Are Here for Your Repairs!

combining cornFall harvest is approaching! With that comes hard work and long hours for farmers, cooperatives, elevators and equipment. K&S Millwrights understands when it is harvest time your equipment needs to function at full capacity. Harvesting your crops in a timely manner in proper weather conditions is critical to maximizing your yield.

You’ve been preparing for this harvest all year long. Preventative maintenance is done, but breakdowns happen and they need to get fixed fast. Whether a drive belt wears out, an auger needs welding or drying equipment malfunctions we understand those unplanned events delay your harvest. K&S Millwrights offers 24-hour service for this reason. If you are dealing with anything related to grain handling, storage and drying we can help quickly.

Repair Expertise:
  • Grain bins
  • Grain legs
  • Unload system parts
  • Air transfer system repairs
  • Grain dryer repairs
  • Portable welding
  • Parts supplier, new & used
  • Onsite hardware store

K&S Millwrights has experienced crews, a large inventory of parts and a fleet of trailers available for 24-hour breakdown emergency’s, repair work and scheduled preventative maintenance shutdowns. It never fails that a breakdown happens with rain in the forecast. Your profits and business are in the field. The harvest can’t be delayed. K&S Millwrights is here to help ensure your fall harvest is a success.

Call 320-833-2228 when you need assistance from K&S!

Emergency 24 Hour Service Available

24 Hour ServiceCall K&S Millwrights for emergency repairs during harvest time. You need your equipment working consistently and repairs completed quickly. We are here to get that done 24 hours a day! When you have a breakdown, any time day or night, call K&S Millwrights at 320-833-2228.

K&S Millwrights Repair Services:
  • Repair or replace leg and conveyor belts
  • Auger repair
  • Drag conveyor repairs
  • Bin repairs
  • Portable welding
  • Structural repairs
  • Dryer repairs
  • Gear box repair and replacement
  • Bearing replacement

K&S Millwrights maintains a full inventory of parts to replace broken components quickly. Add 320-833-2228 to your contacts or phone book. You never know when you might need assistance from K&S Millwrights!

K&S Millwrights grain handling

Your Local Hardware Store Source

Did you know that K&S Millwrights has an onsite hardware store in Buffalo Lake that is available to the public? How often do you need a tool, grilling charcoal or propane tanks, drive belts, batteries, bolts, or even a RugDoctor carpet cleaner? Need to send a package by UPS, we have you covered for that too! Save time and gas money. Visit K&S Millwright’s onsite hardware store the next time you are out of charcoal or your tank is empty for your grill, need a tool or you’re in the middle of a plumbing or fix-it project.

K&S Millwrights Hardware StoreNeed a fresh coat of paint or stain?  Your local hardware store right here in Buffalo Lake stocks only the best – Valspar Paint and Cabot Stain.  Haven’t used them in the past?  Let us match your last color with our up-to-date technology and Color Match system.  Come in and visit with Kent Scharmer, our hardware store manager!  He grew up with hardware store knowledge and will answer all your questions!

We offer a wide variety of products that you’d look for in a hardware store. Visit and enjoy the relaxed shopping experience and personalized assistance.

Hardware Store Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 8am – noon

The K&S Hardware Store is located at our business location:
217 East Hall Avenue
Buffalo Lake, MN 55314

Give us a call at 320-833-2228 if you are looking for something special. We are here to help our customers find a solution to their need.

Picture the Changes at K&S!

In 1994 Donna Moraz visited K&S Millwrights for the first time. Now, 22 years later Donna got the opportunity to revisit with longtime business associates and friends, Susan and Brad Krumrey. What Donna found at K&S during her recent tour were vast changes and growth over the past couple of decades.

DeeRoss Company, Inc., Donna’s company has been a supplier of buckets, pulleys, belting, liners, level sensors and more to K&S Millwrights since May of 1994 when K&S first opened. At that time, Donna was working with K&S as small business comprised of only Susan and Brad. Susan conducted business out of a quonset garage building, and Brad was often working out of his truck. Donna remembers “there was no fabrication shop, no K&S branded trailers, no auto-cad engineering, no onsite inventory, and no cranes. Today, K&S has all of that!”

“It was clear from what I saw that their ability to respond quickly to customer needs is really outstanding.”

It’s fantastic to be able to glance at your own business through the eyes of someone else who can easily identify changes from his or her perspective. Donna was gracious enough to share the pictures she took on her recent tour and what struck her as remarkable, noting, “it was clear from what I saw that their ability to respond quickly to customer needs is really outstanding.”

Inventory and a hardware store onsite!

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Jon Petit (K&S), Donna Moraz (DeeRoss Company), and Brad Krumrey (K&S Owner) on Saturday morning at the hardware store at K&S Millwrights.

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Lots of V-belts and electrical components ready to respond to a customer breakdown.

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Jon, Pat, and Brad with all the parts in stock!

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Donna Moraz, DeeRoss Company checking out the Rhino Hyde urethane that she just shipped to K&S  for lining spouting & hoppers before harvest.

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More than a truckload of transitions, elbows, band clamps, and more that are available for immediate shipment.

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Spouting accessories, screw augers, motors, and reducers are crated and ready for the job site.

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Another truckload of K-valves and pipe sections. Donna was amazed at the organization of all the inventory.

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Another building dedicated to responding immediately to customer breakdowns. More components ready to ship.

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Ready for installation!

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It is truly one-stop shopping at K&S!

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More inventory located in Buffalo Lake. They have more space that most big box stores!

Dedicated Office Space

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As usual Brad was working hard already on Saturday morning. There’s a purchase order somewhere on his desk from Brad to Donna.

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Jon is quoting a project over the weekend for a local customer.

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Susan and Donna have known each other for 22 years.

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Donna and Pat take a break from watching John and Brad do all the heavy lifting.

K&S Has Really Grown!

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Donna had no idea that K&S had added a dedicated shop and fabrication area.

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Donna was very impressed with the fleet of work trailers ready to respond to a grain elevator shut down and pre-harvest project.

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The big expansive yard for unloading equipment from vendors and staging equipment to ship to the job site was all new to Donna.

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The top section of a grain dryer proves no job is too large for K&S to handle.

 

 

 

 

4th of July Holiday Hours

happy July 4th
To allow all our employees to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends, we will be closed Saturday, July 2nd – Monday, July 4th. Have a safe, enjoyable weekend! We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, July 5th at 8am.

K&S Wants to Hear from You

New PictureOur team at K&S Millwrights is invested in our customers and the future of our company. We want to know how we can better serve you. If you’re a customer of K&S, we’d love to hear from you. That’s why you may have seen a postcard that we’ve been starting to distribute, encouraging feedback.

Stories and Photos

If you have an experience with us or pictures of a completed project that you feel would be good to share with others, please let us know and we’ll follow up with you. It may be a great addition to our blog. Submit your story and/or photos.

Reviews

Customer reviews help others understand a bit more about our company from a customer perspective and what to expect should they decide to do business with us. Submit your review.

“K&S was very good at getting me a crane on the spur of a moment…” ~Wayne M., from Arlington, MN

Private Feedback

If you have feedback you’d rather not be posted online, that’s great too. Simply mark the box “no” when asked if we can share your comments online. We will use your insight to heighten our internal processes and communication for better customer service. Send us your private feedback.

From all of us at K&S Millwrights, we thank you for your business and look forward to serving you in the future!

AgriDry Grain Spreaders and Controllers

agridry options at K&S MillwrightsK&S Millwrights offers AgriDry grain spreaders and controllers to help control grain quality and heighten safety.

At our recent all-staff annual training, Sales and Installation Representatives of AgriDry, LLC were in attendance to review the equipment and properly train our staff on the installation and use of equipment to increase safety and best help our customers.

Pictured below are Howie Rossell and Martin Tubby, Sales Representative and Ross Behl, Sales/Installer for the MN/WI area from their corporate offices in Ohio.

AgriDry LLC showing proper installation.

AgriDry LLC showing proper installation.

Safety Training at K & S Millwrights

AgriDry LLC showing proper installation.

“Uniform Airflow with Fines Evenly Distributed!”

Some of the common problems with grain storage addressed with AgriDry include:
  • over dried grain
  • uneven airflow
  • spoilage
  • high electrical costs
  • difficulty unloading
  • and many more

If you’re looking for a Zero Entry solution that will more equally distribute fines, improve air flow, and accommodate varying fill rates, talk to us today about AgriDry and how we can help!

K&S Receives Honor from BLHS FFA

FFA BanquetAlyssa Petersen, member of the Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart FFA recently honored K & S Millwrights as a supporter of their chapter at their annual banquet with the following statement:

“It is now my honor to recognize a local business that has been a huge supporter of our FFA chapter.  K&S Millwrights began in 1994 and is owned by Brad and Susan Krumrey.  This company works with grain handling equipment, excavation, site layouts, individual farmer needs, feed mills and service areas in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois and Nebraska.  The biggest goal of their company is to ensure customer satisfaction.  Their mission statement is ‘We will provide the utmost professional and personal service in the millwright and construction process of agricultural related equipment.’ K&S has partnered with the Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart FFA because they believe it is an important program.  Brad was in FFA while in high school and has many experiences in the FFA and has seen first-hand its importance.”

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. More information about the BLHS Chapter of FFA is on the school website.

Alyssa went on to share that “K&S has been a huge support of the BLHS FFA especially when it comes to the Corn Drive.  Their generous donation year after year helps BLHS FFA place as some of the top chapters in raising funds. They are also a huge supporter of our Ice Fishing Contest fundraiser by sponsoring our larger door prizes.  They are always willing to lend a helping hand in any way that they can.  Thank you for your generosity and contributions, we greatly appreciate it!”

It is an honor to us to receive this award and to offer our ongoing support and encouragement for the BLHS FFA students.