New Ideas in Post Frame Design Play Ball Brad Cheney Is the VP of Cheney Carpet Distributors RAM Excavating, Inc

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New Ideas in Post Frame Design Play Ball Brad Cheney is the VP of Cheney Carpet Distributors RAM Excavating, Inc. is experienced in all forms of out of Minneapolis, MN and a customer of RAM excavation. They have newly acquired the HLWW Buildings, Inc. Cheney Carpet is the #1 flooring School ball field project. They will be constructing two distributor in the Midwest. It is a family owned company supplementary baseball diamonds and an additional and Brad has been there for 22 years. He recently practice football field. The finished product is meticulous decided to purchase some land in Medina so he would and it is fascinating to watch on site from beginning to have more space for his hobbies. end. Due to the increased number of ball fields they are also adding another parking lot. The lot will make it more accessible for the players and the spectators.

We built Brad a 40’ x 80’ x 12’ Post Frame Hobby Shop with 16’ x 24’ loft. There are so many fun options that are included in his project. The loft will be his man cave. About ? of the building will have a Sport Court so he, his brothers, and his son can play basketball and hockey. Sport Courts are especially nice in the winter so you don’t have to go out in the cold to play. Brad is The expansion was needed because HLWW Middle an avid collector of many things; art, sculptures, signs, School moved from Howard Lake to its new location out toys, sales samples, Garbage Pail Kids, Pee-wee of town this school year. RAM is excited to be working Herman items, and many more. He would like a portion with the school district. of his shop to be a museum with the option of selling some of his antique items. Additionally, he had security RAM has worked with them on additional projects. RAM cameras installed. The cameras will give him the Excavating provided the building pad for a 30’ x 60’ x 10’- ability to protect from intruders and check on the dog 6” storage building that RAM Buildings, Inc. constructed. while he is away. They have also been working on the HLWW Middle School addition. The excavating division has dedicated a We are just finishing up constructing him a second lot of time and energy to this job. They did all the dirt story bridge. The bridge attaches his man cave from work, demolition, sanitary and storm sewer, water main, his hobby shop to his man cave in his home. He hauling, & seeding. The anticipated project completion is thought it would be a cool idea to attach the two rooms. this fall. This is such a unique idea, like a personal miniature skyway. Now the only problem he may have is getting guests to go home. Another benefit, and my favorite, it will be nice and warm to head over to the hobby shop during the winter in his 6’ x 25’ x 8’ post frame bridge. He won’t have to worry about tracking mud or snow in the house. Since the bridge is on the second story a tractor or a truck can go underneath instead of having to travel around the buildings. With all the advantages of installing a bridge I don’t know why we haven’t seen it sooner.

The alliance between RAM and HLWW Schools has proven to be a mutually beneficial one. RAM is looking forward to working with them in the future.

Don’t forget! Excavating has the capabilities to work on any job; big or small! If you have an excavation project you would like to get moving on, please call today. 800- 710-4726

Sometimes it is difficult to get an exact match between house siding and metal siding. As you can see in the photo, the house is beige while the post frame building and bridge are red. The colors go beautifully together and you have no worries about an exact match. Another item to consider is to make sure you have high enough walls to allow a second story loft and bridge. And, if you ever plan on having any plumbing in the building, pipe it in with the initial construction. It will cost extra but it will save you money in the long run. We have an A+ Report Card! All in all, this is an awesome project with innovative ideas. We are proud to be part of it. If you want to learn more call (800)710-4726.

The Better Business Bureau was founded in 1912. We are proud to be a part of this organization. The BBB provides a free service to the public offering them ratings on over 4 million businesses. It gives the consumer an RAM's Winter Discount Savings Program opportunity to research businesses prior to a big purchase or investment. The purpose of the BBB is to encourage better business practices and set high business standards. The BBB also alerts the public of scams. We hope you feel better knowing we care about our clients and our work. We have A+ ratings to prove it! Check it out.

Please click each logo to see each company's BBB rating:

If you are considering putting up a post frame building, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!

The savings offered to you through the winter discount program make it well worth your while to build this winter. RECEIVE THE SAME FIRST-RATE POST FRAME BUILDING YOU PLANNED FOR BUT AT A REDUCED COST if you have it designed and constructed this winter. Save $$$ with this limited time offer. Once the schedule fills up ~ no more discounts! Call now to secure your place in RAM’s Winter Discount Savings Program! You won’t regret it! 800- 710-4726

Take it from them... Great News! 2015 $1 Million in Funding for Livestock Investment Grants Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson announced that $1 million in grant funding is being made available to livestock producers in the state for on-farm improvements. Eligible persons would be reimbursed 10% of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Expenses that have been included in this grant are the purchase of a building for the purpose of livestock production, construction and improvements to existing buildings for the purpose of livestock production, purchase of fencing, waste management, and feeding equipment. Farmers who have endured a loss caused by “My airplane hangar was completed beyond my natural disaster may also apply for the grant. expectations. The quality of the workmanship is excellent and the staff is easy to work with. Highly recommended!” Brad Hoyt – Eden Prairie, MN

If you have expanded or plan on expanding your facilities, you are encouraged to apply. If you are in the “Building with RAM was the best decision we have midst of a farm transfer you will receive high priority for ever made. Brad is a professional. He listened to all funding. This has been determined by the Minnesota our ideas and we made many changes throughout the Department of Agriculture. building process so that our building was exactly what we needed. At some time Brad became more than just Minnesota livestock producers who applied for but did not a Territory Manager but a friend. The carpentry crew receive a grant in past years will need to reapply to be was neat, enjoyable, and worked very hard. We were considered for the 2015 program. impressed by how timely RAM was in constructing our arena/barn. Our building is precisely what we wanted The deadline to apply for the grant program is December and it is a beautiful, beautiful building. If we had it to do 18, 2015. More information on the Minnesota Livestock all over again, we would build with RAM Buildings.” Investment Program can be found on the MDA website at Dr. Francis Cormier & Johnanne Pardiac, JF www.mda.state.mn.us/livestockinvestmentgrant. Stables – Detroit Lakes, MN

“We have appreciated RAM Building’s preparation before construction. They took the time necessary to understand the significant detail required for our projects. Because of their preparations, we were able to get our projects done on time and within our budgets.” Forsman Farms, Inc. – Cokato, MN RAM is here to offer you a cost effective, steadfast, & operative building solution so that you may see your business flourish. With this grant there are other options available to you. We do restoration/improvements to buildings and our Excavating division does a great job with waste management systems and fencing. Whatever your need may be, give us a call, we’d be happy to help.

“Ray and the crew were nothing but top notch. I have and will recommend a RAM building to anyone!” Dave Schultz – Janesville, MN Appreciative to be Working with River Valley Riders River Valley Riders is a nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1999 by Joan Berg, Jenny Elholm, and Cheryl Holt. The number of riders they are able to help has tripled since they first began.

“Salesperson, Keith Schultz was great to work with. He understood our situation and had some great suggestions. The crew were very professional and kept the job site clean all the time. Great group to work with! We have a very good looking building that fits our needs.” Van Karg of the DAV – Litchfield, MN

The organization offers therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving lessons to children and adults with special needs. The objective of River Valley Ranch is to improve the participants all around health. This is RAM is Hiring accomplished by working with them in a safe and supportive environment. Experienced Carpenter Currently over 200 volunteers run River Valley Ranch. RAM Buildings, Inc. is seeking individuals to fill Full There is no one on staff that is paid. That is pretty Time carpentry positions. amazing.

We offer full benefit packages and competitive salary based on experience, complete with health and dental insurance, bonus opportunities, paid vacation, simple IRA, disability, & opportunities for advancement. We are looking for individuals who are:

● enjoy working outdoors ● hard working ● always willing to lend a hand ● enjoy a variety of responsibilities ● constantly looking for a new challenge ● take pride in your work

Email resume to sales@ rambuildings.com or come in and fill out an application at:

RAM Buildings, Inc. 592 Industrial Drive Recently RAM Buildings, Inc. completed a 20’ x 56’ x 12’ P.O. Box 660 Carriage House for them in Afton, MN. We received this Schultz – Janesville, MN Appreciative to be Working with River Valley Riders River Valley Riders is a nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1999 by Joan Berg, Jenny Elholm, and Cheryl Holt. The number of riders they are able to help has tripled since they first began.

● enjoy working outdoors ● hard working ● always willing to lend a hand ● enjoy a variety of responsibilities ● constantly looking for a new challenge ● take pride in your work

Email resume to sales@ rambuildings.com or come in and fill out an application at:

RAM Buildings, Inc. 592 Industrial Drive Recently RAM Buildings, Inc. completed a 20’ x 56’ x 12’ P.O. Box 660 Carriage House for them in Afton, MN. We received this Winsted, MN 55395 thoughtful thank you card. It’s great working with good (320)485-2844 people! RAM is looking forward to working with them again and again.

If you are interested in learning more about River Valley Riders go to: www.rivervalleyriders.org

Meet Dave Oestreich

Customer Referral Program We want to give back to you. Let RAM give you $100 per referral! If you love your building and had a great experience with us, then please…Tell your family! Tell your friends! ~ If you want to shout it from the tree tops! We want you to benefit in every way possible from being our customer. Nothing makes us happier than a satisfied customer!

Dave has been with RAM for an impressive 15 years. He is the Crew Supervisor for RAM Buildings, Inc. He has numerous responsibilities in his position with the company. He reviews prints independently and with our crews. His job requires scheduling of lumber, subcontractors, and building inspections. He inspects job sites to monitor quality control. He bids labor for our Territory Managers. Schedules equipment maintenance with our shop. He moves equipment to job sites as needed. Dave meets with customers to discuss solutions to their concerns. Plus he is my Let RAM be your money tree! personal RAM apparel delivery man. Dave is a dedicated employee and always willing to go beyond Refer us today! and exceed expectations. RAM is very lucky to have Call 800-710-4726 for more details. him on our team! Opportunity knocks! With all his capabilities, he learned the old fashioned way, on the job training. It is very respectable. There is Answer….. a lot to learn in the construction industry. I think working hard, the willingness to learn, and **Each RAM corporation has an individual referral determination say a lot about a person. program. Winsted, MN 55395 thoughtful thank you card. It’s great working with good (320)485-2844 people! RAM is looking forward to working with them again and again.

If you are interested in learning more about River Valley Riders go to: www.rivervalleyriders.org

Meet Dave Oestreich

Dave has been with RAM for an impressive 15 years. He is the Crew Supervisor for RAM Buildings, Inc. He has numerous responsibilities in his position with the company. He reviews prints independently and with our crews. His job requires scheduling of lumber, subcontractors, and building inspections. He inspects job sites to monitor quality control. He bids labor for our Territory Managers. Schedules equipment maintenance with our shop. He moves equipment to job sites as needed. Dave meets with customers to discuss solutions to their concerns. Plus he is my Let RAM be your money tree! personal RAM apparel delivery man. Dave is a dedicated employee and always willing to go beyond Refer us today! and exceed expectations. RAM is very lucky to have Call 800-710-4726 for more details. him on our team! Opportunity knocks! With all his capabilities, he learned the old fashioned way, on the job training. It is very respectable. There is Answer….. a lot to learn in the construction industry. I think working hard, the willingness to learn, and **Each RAM corporation has an individual referral determination say a lot about a person. program. Not that Dave is all work and no play. He always has a witty comment, for example “He went to the school of hard knocks.” He does have a home life too. He and his wife Ruth have been married for 22 years. Together they have a 14 year old son named Drew. Dave and Drew hunt and fish together in their free time.

“It’s enjoyable to see all the pieces come together to complete a job.” Work Hard, Play Harder! Meet Kim Radtke

A group of employees and their family members participated in the Mudman Extreme 5K Obstacle Course Competition in Kimball, MN on August 15th. Maria Machemehl took 2nd place in the women’s competition! And Zach Uter was the first RAM team member to finish! Everyone had fun! And best of all Graniteman Events donates money to regional community groups and nonprofit. Way to go everyone! Kim has been with RAM from the beginning. She has been the Bookkeeper for 16 years. Prior to our main office being built she did RAM’s books out of her home. She does the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll for all of our corporations. She is also the Master Chef here at RAM. Always bringing in something for us to eat. Baked goods, fresh made salsa, & chili just to name a few. Believe me RAM employees do not go hungry with Kim around. In all seriousness though, she is a joy to work with and know.

She and Rollie have been married for 26 years. Together they have two children. Spencer is 20 years old and attending St John’s University. Madisyn is a Junior at Lester Prairie High School. Both of the kids are actively involved in sports. Kim loves watching them play volleyball, basketball, and football. She got her love of baking from her mom. When she was a little girl she used to get up before school to watch her mom bake. Kim’s favorite place to be is in the kitchen baking and cooking. Not only does she feed all of RAM but she also shares her love of baking with a few different silent auctions. You can purchase 2015 Summer Parades Kim’s baked goods at the auctions. She bakes monthly This year’s Prairie Days Parade was fun. One of our treats for a year to the highest bidders. employees, Danny Dammann had an idea to create a Disney’s Frozen theme for the RAM Building float. He She enjoys going for walks and spending time Lindsey and others brought the Frozen float to life. His and Zoey, the family’s dogs (but really they are so granddaughter’s dressed up as Anna & Elsa. I think much more). grandpa earned some brownie points on that one. All the kids loved it! In addition to the Frozen theme, he opted to throw Freezies instead of candy this year. “I think we have the best team of employees at RAM! I truly enjoy being here.” Meet Chad Savoy

Neil Kerkvliet and family did a nice job showing off the new Dozer for RAM Excavating, Inc. His sons had a good time on the trailer throwing candy to the audience.

Dave Oestreich was in the Winsted Summer Festival Parade for RAM Buildings, Inc. They had some rain this year and it was postponed for an hour. It didn’t stop the kids from having a great time. They still enjoyed throwing RAM Frisbees to the crowd. RAM General Contracting’s Senior Project Manager has been with the company a total of five years. Chad’s job takes a lot of organization and people skills, which he has an abundance of. He oversees that the project is done in a safe and timely manner to ensure a successful, quality outcome. He does this by creating and maintaining schedules, overseeing subcontractors, and managing materials and equipment. It is his responsibility to execute the project while maintaining the budget. He manages the work as it is performed in the field. Chad makes sure the right Thanks to all the RAM employees, their family members, information, tools, and materials are where they need to be when they are needed. He has a positive and and friends who represented RAM in this year’s parades! cool demeanor that is essential to performing his job great!

An interesting fact you may not know about him ~ Chad’s college education earned him a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology. When he graduated he took a position as a framing carpenter. The initial plan was that it would be a summer job. 20 years later he is our Senior Project Manager. In that time he has gotten on the job experience in constructing stick framed, timber framed, Sips, post frame, & steel frame buildings. He had his own business in framing and trim carpentry for three years which gave him an all-around education in business and construction.

His daughter, Cicily Heather is a freshman at Ridgewater College. He is very happy she chose to stay at home this year. Next fall she is planning on transferring but she hasn’t decided where she would like to go yet. They grow up too fast. Thank you readers! We are grateful to all of you for taking time from your busy In Chad’s pastime he enjoys reading by his aquariums. day to read our newsletter. On occasion you will find him out cycling, canoeing, or From all of us here at RAM, thank you! biking.

“The small group of people making up RAM GC is an awesome team within the RAM family of companies that I am truly lucky to be a part of. With the support of each division, we are making some really great things happen.” Meet Beau Weise RAM General Contracting’s Senior Project Manager has been with the company a total of five years. Chad’s job takes a lot of organization and people skills, which he has an abundance of. He oversees that the project is done in a safe and timely manner to ensure a successful, quality outcome. He does this by creating and maintaining schedules, overseeing subcontractors, and managing materials and equipment. It is his responsibility to execute the project while maintaining the budget. He manages the work as it is performed in the field. Chad makes sure the right Thanks to all the RAM employees, their family members, information, tools, and materials are where they need to be when they are needed. He has a positive and and friends who represented RAM in this year’s parades! cool demeanor that is essential to performing his job great!

Beau is a two year member of the RAM team. He is the Estimator for RAM Excavating, Inc. It is his job to process incoming excavating bids. He sets up large projects with Business Center HCE. This is the software program that runs the GCS900 Grade Control System for surveying and GPS mapping. It saves the operators in the field a lot of time. He attends various pre-bid meetings and inspections. He also helps out in the field running equipment whenever necessary. Beau is a great addition to the team as he is always willing to help out wherever needed. Beau has a four year college degree in Geology with a minor in Geography from the University of Minnesota – Mankato. Since starting with RAM he has been trained as the Construction Site Manager dealing with erosion control. He has done an admirable job acclimating himself to his position here at RAM and is a valuable addition to the Excavating team. He is engaged to Brooke Jilek. They have known each other all their lives. The two of them will be married the beginning of October. Followed by a honeymoon to Aruba ~ lucky!

Beau is, as he says “obsessed” with hunting and fishing. He is a huge Vikings fan and loves watching the Vikings games, especially when they are winning.

“RAM is made up of more than just co-workers and friends, they are family.”