RMS also expanded its operations in the late '90s by establishing a used parts (Polar Parts) division and opening RMS Rentals for the rental, light and general equipment customer.
In 2003, RMS purchased a national trench-shield-marketing company in Georgia called Atlanta Equipment. RMS expanded its presence in shoring products by founding U.S. Shoring & Equipment Co., which services the Sunbelt states. Today, U.S. Shoring has four branches in Florida and one each in Texas and Georgia.
In 2004, RMS expanded its aggregate division by hiring an aggregate
specialist and increasing the product offerings. This has brought high
growth in products for crushing, screening and washed-materials markets.
"Many of these new efforts are designed to allow RMS to take better
care of the same types of customers we've always supported," said
Sill. "Now, we're able to do more for them."
PEOPLE MAKE THE COMPANY
A family environment leads to many longtime, dedicated employees
Of course, growth can occur only to the extent that a company has the
people to handle it. In fact, employees typically create the growth.
"A leader can have a big-picture plan, but if you don't have the
right people to carry it out, it's not going to be successful,"
observed Sill. "At Road Machinery & Supplies, we have a very
talented and dedicated work force that, in my opinion, is one of the
best in the equipment industry."
The longevity among key management personnel at RMS is remarkable. David Johnson, VP Sales and Marketing, has been with the company for 27 years; John Ruud, VP Northern Operations, has been there 30 years; Chuck Petter, VP Management Information Systems has been with the firm nearly 40 years; and Treasurer/CFO Bill Holte has put in 27 years with RMS.
The sales team working out of the RMS Savage facility includes: (L-R, front row) Sales Manager Tom Ernst; Territory Sales Managers Lyle Knutson, Gordon Johnson, and Phil Major; Aggregate Sales Specialist Brad Sykora; (L-R, back row) Territory Sales Managers Dennis Hook, Tim Gaynor, Todd Christenson, Scott Laursen, Ron Carothers and Gary Lane.
Other management staff at RMS' Savage facility include (L-R) Shop Supervisor/Training Instructor John Tangeman, Director of Training Richard Cooper and Parts & Service General Manager Mike Mencel.
"My dad certainly did a good job of hiring people and creating
a family environment in the workplace," said Sill. "We don't
have a strict hierarchy here. We do have job titles and job functions,
but mostly we work together, manage by consensus, and try to have fun
along the way. But the only reason we're able to take this approach
is because, throughout our organization, we have people who are really
good at what they do, and understand the value of long-term relationships
with customers. If you hire talented people, they'll make good decisions,
and you need to give them the freedom to do their jobs without micromanaging."
"This company is full of good, honest, hardworking people who are
enjoyable to work with and have the same 'can-do' attitude our customers
have," added Sales and Marketing VP Dave Johnson. "It's a
great work