KEARNEY, NEBRASKA, U.S. — Chief Industries announced in April the addition of three staff members to its Agri/Industrial Division.
Nathan Fries has joined the company as the grain dryer product engineer, Brian Kuszak has accepted the position of product engineer, modular storage systems, and Brandon Schade is rejoining Chief in the position of sales engineer, aeration and drying.
Fries is responsible for design and development of both the Chief and the Caldwell grain dryers. The design activity includes developing the manufacturing specifications and establishing the vendor component requirements for the grain dryers. In addition to his dryer design activity, Nathan will be directly involved in the application requirements for particular installations.
Fries received a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He previously worked for Orthman Manufacturing as a design engineer and brings product development and manufacturing experience to Chief Industries.
Kuszak will lead the design efforts for the Lemanco Modular Storage Product line, as well as help out with material handling and grain sampling. In his new position, he will have design responsibilities for the Lemanco line of Modular Storage Systems while also assisting manufacturing and sales with technical expertise as required.
Kuszak’s background includes experience in a lean manufacturing environment as a quality engineer with Thermo King/Ingersoll Rand in Hastings Nebraska, U.S., and as a design engineer with BK Customs and Lozier, both located in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. His education includes a bachelor’s of science degree in manufacturing engineering from the University of Nebraska and an associate’s degree in mechanical design technology from South East Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Schade was rehired for a newly created position to provide technical support to the sales group and our dealers, as well as to coordinate between sales and the rest of the departments. His key objectives will be to improve communication and coordination between sales, customer service, engineering and manufacturing, enhance our technical training both internally and externally, and provide local and field support for dryer sales, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
He will work most closely between sales and engineering to help enhance communication and coordination, dryer education and sales support throughout the marketplace.
