Scotchman Industries announced the retirement of Mike Albrecht, Scotchman’s longtime National Sales Manager, and the appointment of Bradly Kuchenbecker as his successor.

Albrecht will retire after 31 years of dedicated service, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, customer-focused growth, and unwavering commitment to Scotchman’s core values. To ensure a seamless transition, he will remain actively involved through his official retirement date in April, supporting the sales team and continuing to work closely with customers, with a particular focus on automation solutions.

Throughout his tenure, Albrecht played a pivotal role in strengthening Scotchman’s national sales strategy and building lasting relationships with distributors and customers across many industries.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with such a talented team and loyal customer base,” said Albrecht. “Scotchman Industries has always stood for quality, integrity, and people. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and am confident Bradly will lead the sales organization forward with great energy and vision.”

Kuchenbecker brings 26 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of Scotchman’s products, customers, and sales network to his new role as national sales manager.

“I’m honored to step into this position and follow in Mike’s footsteps,” said Kuchenbecker. “Mike has set a high standard, and I look forward to building on that foundation while continuing to deliver the excellent products and services our customers expect.”

Brad Heltzel, general manager of Scotchman Industries, expressed gratitude for Albrecht’s contributions and confidence in the transition.

“Mike’s impact on Scotchman Industries cannot be overstated,” said Heltzel. “His leadership and dedication helped shape our sales organization into what it is today. We wish Mike all the best in his retirement and are excited for Bradly to take on this responsibility. His experience, work ethic, and passion for our customers make him the right choice to lead our national sales efforts into the future.”

Scotchman Industries thanks Mike Albrecht for his years of service and leadership and looks forward to continued sales success under Bradly Kuchenbecker’s leadership.

About Scotchman

For more than half a century, Scotchman Industries has been an industry leader in reliable, American-made metal fabrication equipment. Scotchman’s extensive product line includes Hydraulic Ironworkers, Cold Saws, Band Saws, Pipe Notchers, Hydraulic Presses, Measuring Systems, and Programmable Feed & Stop Systems—all engineered for long-lasting performance and superior results.

Governor Rhoden expressed appreciation for the company’s commitment to keeping manufacturing strong in South Dakota, stating: “South Dakota is one of the only states in America where manufacturing is growing. Thanks to companies like Scotchman, we are making sure that our products are not only made in America — but made in South Dakota! It was an honor to tour Scotchman’s facilities earlier this month. Even in our smallest towns, our state is Open for Opportunity!”

Founded in 1967, Scotchman Industries is a leading manufacturer of hydraulic ironworkers and metal fabrication tools, proudly built in the U.S.A. The tour included demonstrations of the company’s product lines, conversations with team members, and a close-up look at operations that support both domestic and international markets.

“We were incredibly proud to host Governor Rhoden and showcase the work being done right here in Philip,” said Brad Heltzel, General Manager of Scotchman Industries. “His visit is a testament to the importance of manufacturing in our state and the hard work of our dedicated employees. It was an opportunity to highlight the craftsmanship, quality, and American-made values that define Scotchman.” Scotchman remains committed to driving innovation and opportunity in rural communities — demonstrating that world-class products can be built right in the heart of South Dakota.

and its advanced CNC system, with automatic parameter database and gas control, are optimally matched. Our cnc plasma table design and structure allow for its operation under heavy conditions (2 or 3 shift operation). Plasma cutting machines, which are equipped with precision fine beam plasma generators, combine the highest cutting quality with low consumables cost. The fine-beam generators PP (Precision Plasma) ensure very fast piercing and high cutting speeds, with an unusually clean and almost perfectly square cutting edge.

One carriage accommodates two cutters, the plasma cutting head and the oxy-fuel torch. The magnetic holder for the cutter heads allows quick change over and prevents damage in case of collision. The 5-axis head helps with weld preparation, with an optional bevel cutting unit for quick and accurate welding bevels. The control system enables installation of up to 4 carriages with independent height control. An ergonomic control panel controls the machine itself as well as the power source, ventilation, suction, and filtration systems. The supporting and bearing structures are made with light-alloy materials; the high-precision guide-ways, gears and racks are manufactured in a single factory. With all this, we ensure cutting accuracy, structural rigidity, and operational stability over the machine’s long service life.

About KAAST

KAAST Machine Tools, Inc. is proud to offer one of the most diverse and extensive line-ups of machine tools in the industry. From mills and lathes to grinders and saws, and from brakes and rolls to presses and ironworkers, KAAST makes it easy to find the right machine for your application. We stand behind our machines with quick shipping of spare parts and excellent after-sales service. Need in-person training or installation? No problem! KAAST Machine Tools, Your Production Partner.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kent Bradley as our new Director of Marketing,” said Brad Heltzel, General Manager of Scotchman Industries. “Kent’s marketing experience and passion for the industry will help us grow and build awareness of the many great products and initiatives happening here at Scotchman.”

As the previous owner and president of South Dakota-based Performance Business Media, Bradley has served high-profile clients including BILSTEIN, Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Aeromotive and Design Engineering Inc., creating content, marketing campaigns, public relations and overseeing media placements and activations.

Bradley has spent over two decades in the publishing and trade media industry and was Group Publisher of business-to-business titles such as THE SHOP, Performance & Hot Rod Business, and Restyling & Truck Accessories magazines and websites.

“I’m a longtime fan of Scotchman Industries and the great machines we build,” Bradley said. “I’m excited to dig in and start sharing our story with the machinists and fabricators out there doing amazing metalwork.”

Bradley earned a degree in Journalism/Advertising from South Dakota State University. An avid motorcyclist and youth sports coach, he lives it the Black Hills with his wife, Angela, and five children.

Scotchman Industries proudly manufactures American-made metalworking machines that last for generations, including a wide range of ironworkers, cold saws, pipe notchers, belt grinders, hydraulic presses, measuring equipment and related tooling.

“We make it easy for a customer to see our machines in action and even test them before they make their final purchasing decision, says Kent Bradley, Marketing Director of Scotchman. “Demonstrating our equipment has always been our personalized approach since the company was founded in 1967. And now with 17 demo trucks we can basically go anywhere in the lower 48.”

The company will continue to perform demonstrations at the national fabricating trade shows and in-house at the Scotchman headquarters in Philip, South Dakota.

The complete line of products includes: Hydraulic Ironworkers, Circular Cold Saws, Band Saws, Tube & Pipe Notcher/Grinders, Hydraulic Presses, Manual Measuring Systems and Programmable Feed & Stop Systems.

About Scotchman Industries

Scotchman is the oldest and largest hydraulic ironworker manufacturer in the United States and the largest manufacturer of circular cold saws in North America. We are proud to say that our world-famous ironworkers are still made in small town Philip, South Dakota, USA. We focus on manufacturing quality machines that can be passed down from generation to generation.

The line-up of five models ranging from 66-ton, 110-ton and 176-ton are USA manufactured presses for industrial-grade fabrication, bending, forming, straightening, assembly, maintenance operations, testing and quality control. Versatile, smooth & precise; Scotchman’s H-Frame PressPro’s combine a heavy-duty, quality welded, all-steel frame with an industrial grade hydraulic system to provide maximum strength, durability, and a long life. Equipped with movable ram cylinder, pressure regulator, 3 ram speeds with ram cylinder that moves from side to side, an easy-to-use joystick operation, and a set of standard V-blocks.

The presses are simple to use and solve a variety of demands to improve user’s productivity. Built for the big jobs as well as the small ones; the adjustable H-frame bed height and extra wide working width offers increased versatility with its ability to raise and lower the table for the best working distance. The Scotchman PressPro shop presses provide fine control for precision pressing for many years of productivity and all models come with a Scotchman 3-year warranty.

Scotchman is the most trusted hydraulic ironworker manufacturer in the USA and builds a complete line of Circular Cold Saws from manual to fully automatic and a line of Heavy-Duty H-Frame Presses. Plus, Scotchman is a distributor of quality Digital Measuring Systems, Band Saws, and Tube & Pipe Notchers/Grinders.

The new company will leverage Scotchman’s and Steelmax’s existing product portfolios, internal technology development and additional acquisitions to offer a comprehensive and expanding portfolio of steel fabrication tools and solutions to customers in a broad array of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and energy.

“We are excited to announce the combination of Scotchman Industries and Steelmax Tools and the immense potential this combination holds for these two companies, their communities and our customers,” said Kevin Allen, CEO of SMX Industrial Solutions. “This combination brings together two companies with long histories of product innovation and commitment to customer service. Together, we will offer our customers an even broader range of fabrication products and services, as well as the expertise and support they need to succeed.”

“For nearly 60 years, Scotchman Industries has provided world-class products and services to help our customers operate their shops as efficiently and profitably as possible,” said Jerry Kroetch, President and second-generation owner of Scotchman. “We believe that the combination of Scotchman Industries and Steelmax Tools will strengthen our roots as an American manufacturer and allow us to serve our customers and our community for the next 60 years and we look forward to being a part of that future.”

“Emko Capital is thrilled to support the combination of these two great companies, and we look forward to helping them achieve great things in the future,” said Dean Emmerton, Managing Partner of Emko Capital.

About Scotchman Industries

Scotchman Industries, based in Philip, SD, is a market leading manufacturer of hydraulic ironworkers, cold saws and hydraulic presses. The company has a legacy of more than five decades and is renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

About Steelmax Tools

Steelmax Tools, with operations in Colorado and Pennsylvania, is a key supplier of fabrication and welding mechanization solutions, including magnetic drilling machines, plate and pipe bevellers and trackless and track-mounted welding carriages.

AboutEmko Capital

Emko Capital, with offices in Charlotte, NC, and Philadelphia, PA, is a leading middle market private equity firm specializing in investments in American industrial companies. With a strong belief in the value and strength of American manufacturing, Emko partners with business owners to create value and long-term success.

About Trilogy

Scotchman LG Measuring Kit comes with one Digital Length Gauge and mounting brackets for both the Angle Shear and Bar Shear:

On Bar Shear: Simply slide the raw material underneath the measuring wheel and up to the blade. Then, press the clear button to reset the tool and you’re ready to make your first cut. An accurate measurement of length will be displayed on the device as you push the material through the shear. Making more than one cut? Just clear the device after each cut, then continue pushing the material through to each desired length.

On Angle Shear: Slide raw material underneath the measuring wheel up to a closed blade, then calibrate the device by pressing the zero button. After re-opening the blade, advance the material through the angle shear to the desired length. This LG Measuring Device will automatically deduct the blade offset from the displayed measurement, showing the actual length that the sheared part will be.

Scotchman LG Measuring Device will display most units including:

• Decimal Inch
• Fractional Inch (1/16″)
• Fractional Inch (1/32″)
• Foot to Inch (Decimal)
• Foot to Inch (Fractional)
• Millimeters
• Centimeters
• Meters

Scotchman LG Measuring Kit Technical Specs:

Accuracy: ± 0.029″

Precision: ± 0.029″

Warranty: 1 Year Limited

Scotchman LG Measuring Device video can be watched here:
https://info.scotchman.com/hubfs/Scotchman%20LG%20Length%20Gauge%20Measuring%20System%20Product%20Video.mp4

2022 marked Scotchman Industries’ 55th year of manufacturing in America. The complete line of products includes: Hydraulic Ironworkers, Circular Cold Saws, Band Saws, Tube & Pipe Notcher/Grinders, Hydraulic Presses, Manual Measuring Systems and Programmable Feed & Stop Systems.
[alert=success]For more information about their Metal Fabricating Solutions, visit www.scotchman.com Email: info@scotchman.com, or call TOLL FREE at 1-800-843-8844 or DIRECT at 1-605-859-2542.[/alert=success]