Leon & Kerry (K&L Inc)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Cheryl and learn a little about the late Leon from K & L, Inc. and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly spotlight (100% FREE) and have a chance at winning one of our Grinder Hoods please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. And for those of you that take the time to share your story with us, we'd be happy to provide a free BA banner. These spotlights are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
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Name: Leon Bitker and Kerry Winkelmann
Business Name: K and L, Inc.
Location: Fosston, MN
Website: https://www.northernminnesotametalsmiths.com/
Specialties: Metal Roses
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? Leon's Machine Works opened in 1977, he was a machinist and welder. His son-in-law, Kerry Winkelmann joined him in 1994 and they changed the name to K and L, Inc. Around 2005 Leon and Kerry became members of the Northern Minnesota Metalsmiths. That is where Leon fell in love with metal roses. He demonstrated making roses to local school shop classes.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? He loved working with children and was so glad to demonstrate his love of metal working to students. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? His favorite tool was a wire brush. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? Leon made metal roses for his granddaughter's wedding bouquets. (Leon's Roses - the blue roses in the bouquets are metal) |
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If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I would teach more children, so they enjoy metalsmiths as much as I do. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
I like grinding wheels, I use them in the shop to clean up welding splatter.
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What BA product surprised you in terms of quality - what about it set it apart from the competition?
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What tips and tricks do you have for us that might be different or eye opening for others to try with BA product?
We found that the Benchmark Abrasive products work better than anything else we have tried, so we don't even look at the competitor.
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
I love all of the other Northern Minnesota Metalsmiths. They all have their own specialties. NMM Member Tony Roed was on Forged with Fire and makes knives. NMM Jeff Olson has organized many metalsmith workshops.
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
I think schools should utilize groups that demonstrate their love to students. The Metalsmiths have inspired a lot of children to do metalworking.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Leon passed away in 2017, He turned the shop over to his grandson, Tim Winkelmann in 2014, so he could spend more time making roses. He would be so proud of how Tim has grown the business.
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
K and L, Inc. a local machine shop that does machining and welding. We manufacture weld for an attachment company. We also do farm repairs and farm, which includes raising Buelingo beef, wheat, corn and soybeans.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing Leon's story with us! We're happy to see his passion lives on through his family!