Rotochopper hosts students for facility tour

In honor of Manufacturing Month in October, Rotochopper of St. Martin, Minnesota, recently hosted a tour at its facility to introduce students to opportunities available to them in manufacturing and material handling. 

Now in its second year, the Manufacturing and Production (MAP) class from Willmar High School in Minnesota toured the Rotochopper facility as part of the final day of its program with Willmar-based West Central Steel Inc. In addition to ten students enrolled in the class, the group included teachers, staff and business leaders that support the program. 

Rotochopper designs, builds and supports a complete line of horizontal grinders, wood chip processors, asphalt shingle grinders, and mobile baggers.

During their eight-day rotation with West Central Steel Inc. and Willmar-based Central Minnesota Fabricating Inc., students are introduced to businesses and opportunities that are available in the fields of drafting, machine operating, layout/welding, painting and material handling.

The program began in 2018 after several Willmar businesses saw a need for a program that would give students the opportunity to experience manufacturing professions hands-on and help students understand the opportunities that are available to them in the community. 

“The purpose of the program is to inform students of opportunities in these fields, introduce the business leaders to the potential employers, and help fill the void of skilled workers,” says Mike Kroeker, Willmar Senior High MAP instructor.

The day started at Rotochopper with a facility tour, which was followed by visits to a steel mill and a job site. “The visits today will provide students an opportunity to see firsthand the full process of steel, from creation to fabrication to final product,” says Bill Pattison, the director of business development at West Central Steel, Inc.

Patrick Burg, the director of quality assurance and outside processing at Rotochopper, led the group on a tour of Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility. Dylan Larson, a student in the program who is interested in the drafting and design field, commented, “I was impressed seeing how big the operation was at Rotochopper, and it was interesting to see all the different welds on the various pieces through the tour”.

“Our goal with the program this year is to continue to build on what was started and developed last year. We want to expand the opportunities the program offers to the students and community, while providing a greater impact to both,” Pattison says. “Continuing to focus on developing more hands-on learning for the students provides additional interest in the program and supports greater connections to the process.”

During manufacturing month in October, Rotochopper says it would like to encourage young people to consider the careers available to them through student group tours. For a tour, contact Rotochopper’s director of community relations, Angie Brick, at abrick@rotochopper.com.