Douglas Machining Recognizes Lathe/Mill-Turn Operator Extraordinaire
Compass Precision is pleased to announce that Shane Kriedermacher of Douglas Machining has been selected as the company’s Employee of the Month for March.
Shane grew up in Winona, MN, home to Douglas Machining Services. But his first real exposure to the company came through Indeed. In early 2018, Christina Douglas, now one of the company’s two Co-General Managers, reached out to Shane through this website. Christina had a CNC machinist position to fill and wanted to know if Shane was interested.
“I came to the shop and met Dan (Douglas, then the company owner),” explained Shane. “I had been at Minnesota City Machine for about eighteen months and wasn’t looking for a change. But I really liked Dan and what his company was doing. So, I took a chance and came on board.”
Shane learned a lot quickly from both Dan and Ben Kubis, now the company’s other Co-General Manager. Before long, he was running, then setting up, then programming Douglas’s sophisticated multi-tasking mill/turn machines. In time, he became the teacher instead of the student. Life was good.
But as Shane approached his third anniversary with Douglas Machining, a life-changing event occurred. Dan Douglas sold his company to Compass Precision. Shane was on vacation celebrating his 31st birthday the day the news broke.
“Dan called me at home and asked me to come into the shop,” said Shane. “He explained that Compass now owned Douglas Machining, but that everything was going to be ok. Not sure that I believed him. But as usual, Dan was right.”
“I remember Shane texting me right after the acquisition announcement, asking ‘are you sure you got this?’, explained Christina. “I assured him that as long as we strive for our best and work together towards a common goal, then our potential is limitless. And since then, Shane has done just that.”
What Compass saw in Douglas was a terrific shop with great customers, but one that still had plenty of potential. Specifically, what Compass brought to the table was the ability to take the company further than Dan wanted to.
“We were really excited that Dan convinced Compass to buy two additional Nakamura mill/turn machines just a few months after the acquisition,” stated Ben. “Then we purchased two more units before the end of 2021. We already had the customer demand, plus guys like Shane Kriedermacher to program and run these machines. It was a good marriage.”
“When my dad retired a year ago, Ben and I moved up in responsibility,” added Christina. “We needed someone step up in the shop and take over some of Ben’s old role, especially with the Nakamura machines. Shane was that guy.”
Shane is well liked by other employees and respected for his machining knowledge as well as his strong work ethic. Nicknamed “Shimmy” by his co-workers, he often does the extra mile to get good parts out the door to customers on time. And always makes everyone laugh in doing so.
“I was nervous but optimistic when I joined Douglas five years ago,” said Shane. “I felt the same way when Compass came in three years later. But everything has worked out great.”
Lots of good things have also happened to “Shimmy” in his personal life. He and his long-time girlfriend Miranda have a five-year-old son named Jaxson. Three years ago, the family purchased a new home in Winona. Jaxson is approaching the age when his dad began playing hockey. Shane was defenseman growing up and played hockey through high school. Now he looks forward to the possibility of coaching his son. Someday, perhaps he will teach Jaxson the skills of CNC machining as well.