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Things are starting to take shape inside the new Kendall-Howard maufacturing and R & D plant in Chisago City. Cement trucks were lined up late last week emptying their mixer-loads onto the plant floor. PVC pipe delivery was being off-loaded through heavy plastic blinds covering openings to the partially-heated facility. In the midst of this, busting with enthusiasm, was Kendall-Howard owner Randy Herreid. He's not managing the construction site, he says he knows better than to take that on, but he visits constantly and keeps close tabs on this; which afterall began out of an office in his attic.

If all goes according to plan, Herreid promised, Kendall-Howard in Chisago City will be the north headquarters of a worldwide business-to-business company, with regional offices in various locations in the U.S. and Canada. Plans are already in the works for a 40,000 square foot expansion to the east side of the approximately 60,000 square foot Chisago City building.

Kendall-Howard is seeing 20 to 30 percent growth each quarter and Herreid says it is doing well within its business model. "...we are not seeing the (economic) down turn everybody's talking about."

Kendall Howard, the Ken-Dall is from Kenneth Randall Herried and Howard honors Herreid's grandfather, is gearing for serious success.

Its computer network rackline is in use in England, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, the Mid East, Singapore, New Zealand and at military installations all over the globe.

Herreid said Kendall-Howard is structured to respond to whatever is thrown its way. After seeing his first attempt at business in computer consulting fold, Herreid said he laid the groundwork carefully for this business. He specifically chose selling product instead of "selling people" (expertise) which he knew he didn't want to do.

The human element is still very much a vital part of kendall-Howard, but they are engineers, designers and salespersons.

Herreid likes to think the strength of Kendall-Howard is based on its reputation, customer service and ability to get durable, quality goods out same-day.

Employees take psychological ownership of their jobs and of the operations. Troubleshooting is everybody's job and follow-through has created a business that runs like a family unit. Herreid stressed there are no "me products" developed-- it's all about the customers.

The company counts among its re-sellers firms like Hewlett Packard, Tiger Direct and Comp USA (on-line) and many others.

Herreid describes an aggressive approach to growing this company, plowing 98 percent of revenues back into the business. "What's most important to me right now is knowing this is a legacy I am building. Kendall-Howard will be sitting here in Chisago City for a long time."

The day will come when one or both of Herreid's children will take over and Herreid expects that will be the proudest day of his life.

As Kendall-Howard outgrew its site in the Midway area of St. Paul Herreid started looking for new locations. He likes that Hwy. 8 carries thousands of vehicle trips past the plant's main road. He also lives nearby (a little south on I-35) and mentioned that the staff who are moving close to the new facility are excited about working in this area.

"Do you have any idea what I would have to go through to try to set up a meeting with the mayor of St. Paul?" Herreid asked. Working with Chisago City has been wonderful compared to Kendall-Howard as part of the capitol city lanscape. Herreid couldn't compliment Chisago council, city staff and others enough about how the process has gone. He's telling all his business contacts about this area.

The Chisago City Kendall-Howard is scheduled to open in mid-March.

There are many automated aspects in departments like packaging and robotic welding, but the business is searching for skilled staff for the facility. "Not a lot of low paying jobs" are involved, Herreid noted. Engineers, designers, sheet metal and press operators are sought.

Along with a certain skill set-- the ideal employee for Kendall-Howard is somebody who likes to give back to the community.

Herreid anticipates setting up internships for students who are interested in engineering. He hopes to get involved in local sports and other charitable activities. "We want people to know we are coming, so we can get involved. I am doing this because I like being a part of something," Herreid continued. "I don't want to be a business in the community, I want to be a business of the community."

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