Subscribe Past Issues RSS Translate Letter from CEO and President, Ryan Suszek The tremendous support re ceived from so many industry friends and associates in recognition of my new role has certainly been humbling. But more than that, it’s motivating. Besser Company has been a key player within the concrete products industry since the introduction of the hand-tamp machine in 1904. For 117 years, we have taken the lead in providing innovative equipment and solutions, unmatched quality, and a never-ending commitment to customer service. Walking in the footsteps of Herman Besser, Jesse Besser, Phil Park, Jim Park, and most recently Kevin Curtis is not an easy position to find myself in. The weight of this new responsibility is sitting firmly on my shoulders – something I take very seriously. What’s comforting, however, is that I’m surrounded by hundreds of Besser employees who are helping to lift the load. Each critical function and product line at Besser is represented by those who have demonstrated their tireless commitment to sustaining our legacy, time and time again. There is no doubt that our current team is as strong, if not stronger than it’s ever been. I can say that with conviction because it’s only those who came before us that can be credited with successfully recruiting, refining, and developing the employees we see here today. We are well-positioned to exceed your expectations for the generations ahead. Our industry appears to be on the winning side of an unusual economy (yes, I’m knocking firmly on wood) with all market indicators pointing toward solid and steady growth. Meanwhile, we all face the similar challenges of a growing labor shortage, troublesome inflation implications, political and social unrest in many areas of the world, and a pandemic that creates new and unusual challenges each day. Not much can be said for consistency in the last year. What you can count on, however, is a reliable partnership with your team at Besser. We remain committed to your success throughout the good, the bad, and the unknown. This industry is family and we won’t let you down. Today, we are more than ready to step away from our desks to get back on the road, shake some hands, and hear first-hand how you’re doing. A big step towards doing so was the first in-person trade show this month in New Orleans. The Precast Show was much quieter than we’re used to seeing but was nevertheless a bright spot for us in 2021. It will only get better from there as we look forward to further interaction at the World of Concrete next month. Please stop by our booth N1136 even if it’s just to say hello – our team is excited to discuss how we can best assist you in the upcoming months. Take care, we're looking forward to seeing you soon. Ryan Suszek CEO and President The Blockmakers Workshops® are Back We are excited to announce that Blockmakers 101, Concrete Masonry Technology, Advanced Concrete Technology and Vibrapac®, workshops will be offered at the World Center for Concrete Technology this Fall! While we had to suspend courses temporarily through the pandemic, we have continued to develop course content and are coming back stronger than ever with yet another addition to the course list! The new Blockmakers 101 course evolved from a course used to train new Besser staff. We’ve tailored the content to address the needs of new plant personnel. Topics include lockout/tagout, basics of concrete masonry technology, batching, Vibrapac®, Multi-Spade Besser-Matic®, LSC Car and Crawler, Splitter, and Cuber. The basics of machine controls, including HMIs, PLCs, electrical and hydraulic schematics, and ladder logic will be introduced. All courses will be a combination of classroom and hands-on learning in the lab and Besser-equipped block plant. Registration is open at wcct.net. Rest assured, all necessary COVID precautions will be taken to keep students safe at the WCCT including reduced attendance. Denny Anderson and Jeff Kern Retire Retirement congratulations go out to two members of our Pipe and Precast Sales Team, Denny Anderson, and Jeff Kern. Both men have positively impacted the precast concrete industry with their extensive knowledge of form design, manufacture, and operation. Beyond their technical expertise, both will be fondly remembered for their big welcoming smiles and firm handshakes at trade shows and events. Denny’s Besser career began in 1983 when he joined the company as a Special Form Fabricator. He spent 6 years working with forms in the Boone shop gaining hands-on knowledge about the nuances of form design, fabrication, and operation. This knowledge, combined with his outgoing personality made him a perfect fit for the sales department. He became a Customer Service Representative before being promoted to Customer Service Manager, and finally to Sales Manager. In his sales role he visited producer facilities across North America. Producers appreciated his hands-on assistance and ideas for improving their production. Denny will continue to work for Besser on a part-time basis as he transitions into retirement. Once fully retired he and his wife Nanette will spend their time camping, fishing, and taking care of their many pets. They’ll also have more time to spend with their daughters Denie Rae and Danyel and grandchildren. When football season rolls around, you’ll find Denny in his man-cave, wearing his lucky jersey rooting for the Green Bay Packers. Jeff joined the Besser Team 1995 as a drafter in the Boone engineering department. Ten years later he was promoted to Sales Engineer-Process Improvement to support both the engineering and sales departments. This was followed by a promotion to Customer Service Representative in 2009 and to Sales Representative in 2014. The knowledge that Jeff gained in engineering proved very helpful in his roles in sales. This information allowed him to give producers options for their form designs and tips for producing high-quality end products. Whether when visiting plants or working a trade show, Jeff’s ability to match producers’ needs with solutions from Besser was valued by precasters coast to coast. Jeff’s retirement will be spent with his longtime girlfriend Wendy, his son Joel, and grandson Forrest. Retirement is providing Jeff with plenty of time to tackle projects around the house, listen to his favorite recording artists, and make batches of his famous BBQ sauce that he generously gifts to family and friends. Precasters are now supported by Brian Christle, Jason Edson, Nick Paulson and Mike Reed. Vegas and Virtual, Upcoming Trade Shows In June, Besser staff will be at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada and virtually in ICCX Digital’s 365 live event. The Besser Team is looking forward to welcoming you to our booth at World of Concrete from 8-10 June 2021. Production is hopping for producers across North America and we’d like to help you maximize your production. Visit us in booth N1136 and give us a chance to help you solve your challenges. We also invite you to visit with us in our virtual stand at ICCX Digital 365 from 15-16 June 2021 from the comfort of your office or home. We are excited to learn about your needs and discuss how Besser equipment and services can best help you reach your goals. Registration for ICCX Digital 365. is complimentary; register today using this link. Air Tube Update for 60 & 80 Cubic Foot Batch Mixers Besser now offers a split air tube for the Wichita Clutch assembly on our batch mixers. The split version of the air tube, part number 02-106991-SPLIT, provides a longer life than the regular non-split tube and can be installed in a fraction of the time. Contact your Besser Customer Service Representative to order this and other parts. Copyright © 2021 Besser Company. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 801 Johnson Street, Alpena, Michigan 49707 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.