When Jordan Thompson walked into BTD more than two decades ago, he didn’t know he was starting a family legacy. He simply wanted a welding job close to the area where he grew up. But 23 years later, his own journey through welding, supervision, manufacturing leadership, and now quality management has paved the way for something bigger — the kind of workplace where his kids, Mackenzie and Conner, would eventually find their own footing and their own futures.

Why did you join BTD?

Long before he became Quality ISO Manager, Jordan spotted a job posting in the Otter Tail County Midweek and decided to apply. Fresh out of NDSCS with welding experience building car trailers and bulk fuel tanks, he took the leap into a company he’d never heard of — but one that would become a major part of his life.

Years later, both of his kids found themselves at a similar crossroads. Mackenzie wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after high school, and Conner was in the same boat. Each time, Jordan mentioned BTD. Not as a push — but as a possibility.

“Give it a try,” he told them.

And they did.

What did you know about manufacturing/BTD before you started?

Jordan came in with six years of welding experience but no familiarity with BTD. Mackenzie and Conner knew even less — just bits they’d picked up from their dad, and a general sense that BTD made parts for companies like Polaris. Everything else, they learned by stepping onto the floor, seeing the pace and pride firsthand, and discovering how many products begin with the parts made right inside those walls.

What do you like best about your role, shift, or team?

What all three Thompsons found was community.

For Mackenzie, it was the way her shift operates like a safety net. “If I need help on anything, everyone is willing to help,” she said. Even people she doesn’t know well jump in without hesitation. That level of reliability makes coming to work feel easier.

Conner shared the same experience. The people, he said, are the best part of his shift, friendly, helpful, steady.

Jordan’s favorite part of his job changed as his career grew. He started on second shift as a hand welder, moved to third shift to learn setups, and eventually transitioned to days, where he stepped into shift leadership. From there, the opportunities kept building — first welding supervision, then robotic welding, and later manufacturing leadership, overseeing Tubing, Fabrication, Machining, Hand Welding, and Robot Welding. His journey ultimately led him into quality, where he now serves as Quality ISO Manager.

Each step stretched him. Each role demanded new skills. And each challenge — in his words — “helped fast-track my development at BTD.”

What makes BTD a great place to build a career?

For the Thompsons, the answer varies — but all roads lead back to opportunity.

Jordan points to the constant room to grow. Whether it was training, mentorship, or simply the chance to apply for new roles, he credits BTD with pushing him to expand what he thought he was capable of.

Mackenzie loves the variety: every day brings something new, from new parts to new projects. “You never know what you’ll be doing until you get started,” she said.

For Conner, it’s the culture, including the friendliness, the willingness to help, the sense that you’re never on your own.

Together, they represent three different entry points into BTD. And all three show the same thing: it’s a place where you can begin without knowing exactly what comes next and end up building a career you’re proud of.

Life outside work

Off the clock, the Thompson household is outdoors whenever they can be; hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. It’s a thread all three share, another tie that connects their work lives to their home lives.

The Thompson family’s story reflects what makes BTD special. It’s not one path, it’s many. It’s mentors, training, technology, teamwork, and the confidence that you can keep growing if you keep showing up. Whether you’re a seasoned welder or a recent graduate searching for your next step, BTD is the kind of place where careers take shape, sometimes one family member at a time.

Learn more about career opportunities at BTD.

The post How the Thompsons Built Their Manufacturing Careers at BTD appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.

Learn why he thinks BTD is a great place to build a career.

Why did you join BTD?  

Because of the many opportunities to advance within the company. BTD encourages growth and sets its employees up for success.

What did you know about manufacturing and/or BTD prior to starting here?  

I knew that BTD was a fast-paced work environment that prioritizes safety, quality and teamwork. 

Why should others want to apply to work at BTD?

BTD values its employees and goes to great lengths to show employee appreciation.   

What do you like best about working on your shift? 

There are a lot of employees on my shift with many years of experience within the company. This makes me feel like BTD is the right choice for me.

Tell me about the volunteer work you do in the community.

I find great joy in volunteering. Outside of FMSC I also volunteer at Rubey’s Pantry, Adopt a Highway, and a program that mentors people in recovery. 

The post Building a Career at BTD appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.

Trevor started his career in Detroit Lakes, MN in 2011 and over the years has worked in many departments, including Robot weld, Welding, Fabrication and Tubing. His career at BTD has allowed him to learn a variety of skills through a variety of roles that have taken him from a production operator to a production setup to a welder. Trevor also spent time as a Shift Lead before becoming a Manufacturing Leader in 2022. Here’s what Trevor has to say about working at BTD.

What do you like best about working your shift?

The people and resources. I enjoy meeting the customers’ needs and this shift works best for my family life.

Why BTD?

I was looking for a family-orientated company that worked best for my work-home life balance. And the great pay.

Why do you think BTD is a great place to work?

BTD promotes from within the company and cares about my personal growth. I have been able to travel to other facilities for training and help the company grow.

Read more about why others have chosen a career in manufacturing at BTD.

The post #whyBTD – Trevor Stilke, manufacturing leader, Detroit Lakes, MN appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.

Keith started at BTD in April 2018 as a Sheet Laser Set Up. He came to BTD for an opportunity to work with our production laser. Since then, Keith grew into his role as Fabrication lead and in July 2022 he accepted his current position as L&D Leader. 

What do you like best about working your shift?

All of the networking and resources that are available as well as being able to spend more time with my fiancé, our farm, and dogs.

Why BTD?

BTD has become my home away from home, and I enjoy the relationships I have built in my time here and look forward to the years to come. 

Why is BTD a great place to work?

BTD offers ample opportunities for growth in not only your career but personally.

Want to hear what others like most about working at BTD?  Tayler Meyer, shift lead in Lakeville, MN shares how her role at BTD has evolved.

The post #whyBTD – Keith Yonemura, L&D Lead, Detroit Lakes appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.

Why did you join BTD?

I joined BTD for many reasons. If you have stepped into BTD before, you have heard of the immense amount of opportunities for growth that are given. You can ask almost anyone in a leadership position and it is almost a given that they have held multiple titles previous to the one they have and have learned so much along the way. That was exciting to me and something I wanted to be a part of! 

What did you know about manufacturing and/or BTD prior to starting to work here?

Almost nothing. Previous to coming to BTD I worked a desk job as a recruiter so I had been in a few manufacturing environments and received tours but that was the extent of it. I had never worked in one myself at any capacity. The opportunity and challenge of learning a new environment, industry and team excited me. 

How have you navigated the career pathing at BTD?  Or, how has your career evolved? 

As I previously stated, when I came into BTD, I knew almost nothing about manufacturing or BTD at all—I especially didn’t know anything about powder coating. I began to learn each section of the paint line and absorbed as much information as I could. After five months, I was promoted to a paint line shift lead and began to learn the responsibilities that came with that. I have been fortunate enough to dabble in other departments such as Assembly & Lasers so I could learn a little more about how things work shop-wide. 

Currently, I have been given the opportunity to learn more about our Learning & Development part of the business and have discovered a passion for welcoming and leading others in a new way. I hope to continue to grow with BTD and make a long career here. 

How did you take advantage of training opportunities at BTD?

Just asking! I’ve had numerous conversations with Learning & Development, my manufacturing leader and manager, and even Human Resources about what I need to learn about BTD to grow and how to get there. From there, the training opportunities were given. My manufacturing leader, Taylor Western, has also done an excellent job at scheduling monthly training for us so we can continue to grow, and she’s always willing to teach when we want to learn something new. 

Why should others want to apply to work at BTD?  Also, what advice do you have for them?

You are not your employee number at BTD. My leaders, managers, director of operations, quality, COO and even the president know me as Taylor. I have never felt disposable or replaceable at BTD. From day one you are trained by a real person and not a computer screen. The opportunities to learn and grow not only as an employee but as a person, are endless. 

Ask lots of questions, show up every day on time and work hard. And get a comfortable pair of safety toes…you’re going to need them. 

The post #whyBTD – Taylor Meyer, shift lead, Lakeville, MN appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.

Desiree has been with BTD for more than 19 years starting in stamping and assembly. She went to welding school through BTD and then moved into our welding department. After that she transitioned into machining where she is currently the machining lead on the first shift from 7 am to 3 pm.

What do you like best about your shift?

The opportunity to learn with a company that is willing to work with and train you.

Why BTD? 

I had experience in machining. 

Why do you think BTD is a great place to work?

They offer competitive wages, benefits and there is a lot of pride in employees.

The post #whyBTD-Desiree Rader – machining lead, Detroit Lakes appeared first on BTD Manufacturing.