Donrich Machine: How a One-Man Shop Grew to a Thriving Diesel Reman Operation
In this episode of Rottler Featured Series, we’re in McCool Junction, Nebraska home of Donrich Machine a full-service machine shop focused on agricultural and industrial diesel and gas engines.
Corey Schlegelmilch, owner of Donrich Machine tells us he bought the business about 20 years ago, starting out as a one-man shop in a 2,000 square foot building with a handful of equipment. Since then, he’s grown Donrich into a thriving business with a team of employees and a new 7,200 square foot facility.
Being located in America’s heartland it’s no surprise that a good portion of their business is servicing the workhorse diesels that keep the water flowing and the crops growing in the farm fields of the Midwest. Donrich services a lot of engines like Cummin ISXs, CAT C15s and Detroit 60s. To get that work done quickly and done right, they’re using the Rottler EM79 engine machining center along with the H85AX automatic hone and an S80 series surfacer.
According to Corey, one of the big advantages using Rottler equipment is the ability to work on a diesel and then switch it up to machine gas V8 with near zero downtime. Plus, with the increased speed and accuracy of Rottler’s CNC technology, he knows it’s going to be spot on with the machining specifications.
We asked one of Corey’s machinists and told us what he appreciates about the Rottler equipment is anyone can learn it. It only takes a few minutes to master and, unlike other machines, you don’t need to stand there and watch it to make sure it’s working. “You hit the button and walk away,” he said. “You’re free to go work on something else.”
Corey summed it up pretty well. “I’ve been using Rottler equipment since I started in this. They always build a good product, they support it, and you know they’re going to be around for a long time,” he said.
He’s right too. Thanks to customers like Donrich Machine, we’re celebrating our 102nd anniversary this year and we’re looking forward to 102 more!
Check out the video. And, if you’re in Donrich’s part of the country and in need of service on your ag equipment, make sure to give them a call!