The operator of a Komatsu PC300LC-7 hydraulic excavator cuts a trench through hard rock as part of Ulland Brothers’ large underground utility and site work project at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

excavators. “Back in the days when they had cables, they were the machines you used as a last resort,” he said. “But boy, the hydraulics have made them so versatile. Now they’re a wonderful tool.”

Ofstad, Jr. noted that changes in the industry work force have placed more emphasis on operator comfort. “With the newer Komatsu excavators we purchased this year, the operators are saying the cabs are quieter, easier to run, more productive. I’ve not heard one complaint about any of them.”

“From a service standpoint, we have had great success with the Komatsu equipment,” noted equipment manager Cully Hall. He’s been with the company for seven years and guides a group of two mechanics in the Hibbing shop plus three field mechanics.

In addition to Komatsu equipment, Ulland has turned to RMS for a large number of other products over the years. In the last three years, the company purchased Blaw-Knox PF-5510 and PF-4410 pavers and Ingersoll-Rand DD-130, DD-24 and PT-240 asphalt compactors and an SD-115 soil compactor. They also bought a Grove RT528C rough-terrain crane, Load King 352 RPS LoBoy trailer and Broce Broom RJ350.

“The fact that RMS has such a full product line and has four full-service facilities in Minnesota, including Virginia, Duluth and Savage, near our Albert Lea operation, is a big plus,” Ofstad, Jr. added. “We cover a big area, so having locations close to our operations is tremendous. This year we’re really strong with work in the Virginia area, and it’s outstanding to have a partner right in town where you can just run over and get some help.”

Turning talented people loose

More than 260 Ulland employees, spouses and children associated with the company’s northern

Ulland Brothers uses its Komatsu WA250PT-5 parallel toolcarrier wheel loader to stockpile material at the ongoing College of St. Scholastica project

Minnesota operation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company’s incorporation at a picnic held last summer. “We had a really wonderful day,” recalled Bob Ulland, who enjoys looking to the future even more than commemorating the company’s noteworthy past.

“The group here has grown tremendously in the last several years, and it was fun to see all the young people around. There’s a lot of ability among them. All they’ve got to do is learn that all the problems and all the opportunities are theirs. I’m a believer that most people can do things if you give them a chance. Just turn them loose. That’s the way to make it go, I think.”

Welch, too, predicts a bright future for the company. “I foresee Ulland Brothers growing in the future, possibly doing related work, but doing things we haven’t done before — getting more involved with materials sales and the private, commercial and industrial sectors. As the heavy highway work comes back, we can switch back to doing that again. The growth potential is just like Bob said. If we want it, it’s there for us.”

Crews from Ulland Brothers have recently been involved in two large street reconstruction and utility projects in Virginia, Minnesota. Here, the operator of a Komatsu PC400LC-6 moves material on a site along 9th Avenue as crews prepare to install pipe.

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