“We have had a great relationship with Denny and RMS for many years,” said Harold. “When we started our own baling and car crushing operation at the yard in 1995, we turned to Denny for a Dresser excavator equipped with a shear. Then we got the WA450-1 wheel loader when we set up our own car-crushing crew. We added more Komatsu equipment because it has worked so well for us and fit our needs as we have grown. We have two PC300s with magnets for unloading customers, moving iron and spreading it out. We use the other PC300 with the shear to cut up the material. Once it’s all cut up, we use the magnet to throw it all into the pile and put it in the trucks. The wheel loaders are used for processing cars and unloading trucks as well as moving material around the yard with the forks. We also put the bucket on the WA450-1 to move iron around the yard.”
As the Kaplan’s fleet of Komatsus has grown, so has their appreciation for RMS’s technical expertise to adapt and service the equipment for their unique work. “We’ve had phenomenal luck with the Komatsus, there’s no doubt about that,” said Harold. “But the real reason we keep going back to Komatsu equipment is the great service we get from RMS. They have very knowledgeable people who have always treated us very fairly and been there when we need them.”
To ensure the large fleet of Komatsu equipment is maintained properly, Kaplan’s has RMS service all the machines on a regular schedule. “They do all our service and all our maintenance,” said Harold. “They have field service technicians who come to our yard, usually after hours, to do the work. They take great care of us.”
The people at RMS who work with Kaplan’s also have high praise for the Kaplan family. “There’s always a friendly atmosphere toward me and toward the customers, and that’s the number one thing,” said RMS sales rep Denny Hook. “It’s a fun company and very progressive. They have a great reputation in the industry and it has all been earned.”
Proud past, bright future
Recycling is a very old idea that is gaining popularity, according to Reuben. “My introduction to recycling goes back to the Bible. What were you supposed to do with your swords? Beat them into plowshares.
Kaplan’s uses its two Komatsu WA450 wheel loaders for a variety of jobs around the scrap
yard, including processing cars, unloading trucks and moving material around the yard
with forks.
(Left to right) Kaplan’s president Harold Kaplan, RMS sales manager Tom Ernst, retired
Kaplan’s president Reuben Kaplan, RMS territory manager Denny Hook and Kaplan’s
general manager Robert Kaplan stand in front of the Kaplan’s Metal Reduction Company
facility in downtown St. Paul. The wagon used by company founder Hyman Kaplan is
displayed on the building’s roof behind them.
That's recycling. Who was one of the people who made America great? Paul Revere. He was a coppersmith and he’d take old copper and beat it into something else. This recycling is not at all new.”
As Kaplan’s takes recycling into the next generation, they will continue to employ new methods and new machines, while remaining committed to their customers. “We’re growing at a nice steady rate,” said Bob, “but not so fast that we can’t keep everybody happy. Our numberone goal is to keep our current customers happy, and by doing that, new business will come around by word-of-mouth. That’s been the key to the success of the company since my greatgrandfather founded it.”