U.S. Fabricating: Maintaining Our Edge - Minnesota Precision ...

Red Heitkamp is a firm believer in
the power of networking. It’s something
he does every day, and he says it’s the
best part of his job.
As director of advanced
manufacturing engineering at
Remmele Engineering, Inc., Heitkamp
is responsible for helping the company
stay on top of the latest industry trends
and technologies. He doesn’t gain that
knowledge through a book.
“All of us are victims of living in our
own atmosphere,” Heitkamp said. “I
feel very strongly that in order to stay
in touch with the world, you have to
network.”
Heitkamp tunes into industry trends
by networking with manufacturers from
several different organizations. As a
member of the global technology board
for the Association for Manufacturing
Technology (AMT), he works alongside
companies like Boeing and General
Motors and hears firsthand accounts of
the issues they’re facing. In addition, he’s
on AMT’s technical issues committee.
Heitkamp also serves on the advisory
boards of the National Center for
Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS),
and the U.S. Army Smart Machine
Platform Initiative (SMPI ), and recently
was appointed to the board of the
Minnesota Precision Manufacturing
Association (MPMA).
What he’s hearing resonates with
most manufacturers: Outsourcing is
affecting the way job shops now support
OEMs. Going global is necessary to stay
in the game. Employing technology is
more critical than ever.
“One of the most interesting facts
about our industry right now is that
most of our jobs are not being lost to
Asian countries,” Heitkamp said. “It’s a
proven fact that a greater share of them
are being lost to automation.”
In addition to the outside world,
Heitkamp is connected to Remmele’s
network of capital equipment. He
assists with the capital equipment
planning process, ensuring the company
purchases the most advanced equipment
possible.
When Heitkamp joined Remmele
28 years ago, technology was much
different. “We certainly didn’t have
computer systems, CAD/CAM systems,
and MRP systems,” Heitkamp said.
“The parts we do now are much more
complex, and so is the work.”
Indeed, the industry has shifted
from being less skill-based to more
knowledge-based. When Heitkamp
graduated with a two-year degree from
Granite Falls Technical College more
than 35 years ago, he learned the trade
on manual lathes and mills. He didn’t
see the value of a college degree until
much later.
“When I started out, I didn’t realize
the value of a college degree,” he said. “It
clearly comes out as you get older. The
knowledge base is so much broader now
than when I started. I can’t stress that
enough for young people.”
Heitkamp’s desk is crowded with
photos of his family. His wife, two
children and four small grandchildren
are his pride and joy. “I’m a family man,”
Heitkamp said. “I love my grandchildren,
I love my children.”
This August, Heitkamp will celebrate
40 years of marriage to his wife Diane.
They grew up only a few miles apart and
attended the same school in Montevideo.
One day, he worked up the courage to ask
her out, and the rest is history. He still
blushes at the thought. “She’s a wonderful
lady,” he said.
Heitkamp’s grandchildren and
children all live within 10 miles
away, so he and his wife get plenty of
opportunities to babysit. “They’re getting
to the age where they’re a lot of fun,”
Heitkamp said. The oldest is 10 years old,
two are four years old, and the youngest
is three years old.
During the summer, Heitkamp and
his family spend almost every weekend
at their place on Lake Mille Lacs. When
he’s not fishing or playing with his
grandchildren, he enjoys tinkering
around the cabin, working on home
improvement projects.
Canada is another place that holds
special memories for Heitkamp. It’s
where he goes fishing each year with a
group of guys, including his brothers.
Fishing and hunting are two things he’s
loved ever since he can remember.
With retirement on the horizon,
Heitkamp soon will step into some new
networks. “I’ll probably do more fishing,”
he said. “And we’ll probably head south
for the winter…but we’ll be back for
Christmas with the grandkids.” PM