EAS’ Own Discusses Helical Pile Industry & What the Future May Hold
by C. Kiesling
8/18/2022
8/18/2022
Kevin Knecht has been an integral team member at EAS for over eight years. As a veteran in the deep foundation industry, Kevin is our “go-to” man for just about everything! We had a chance to steal him away from his busy day to ask him a few questions about the industry's current state and where he thinks the helical pile industry is headed.
Q: Let’s get to know you a bit more; how did you end up with EAS, and what is your role?
A: About ten years ago, I started distributing CHANCE helical pile material for the previous distributor. After three years, I ended up taking a job on the installation side with one of their largest installers. A few years after that, the company's owner sold the installation section of the business and focused on distributing. When that happened, I fell back into my original role of managing the day-to-day operations and accounts.
Q: Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, did EAS feel any effects? If so, what challenges and are there any lasting effects currently presenting challenges for the EAS/DF community?
A: Inventory management and forecasting have been highly challenging throughout the pandemic and today’s environment. We work alongside CHANCE’s fulfillment personnel to ensure we can get our installers the material they need when they need it.
Q: Since being with EAS, what’s the most unexpected thing you’ve repeatedly been asked to do?
A: I run up against unexpected things with many projects; it usually deals with inventory. For instance, a customer needs material for a 150+ pile project within a week. Those requests are always challenging, but somehow, we figure them out and keep our installers installing.
Q: As helical pile technology advances, what will the industry look like ten years from now?
A: The current post-pandemic trend presents more 150+ pile projects as opposed to the 5-10 pile underpinning projects that were prevalent when I first entered the industry. I would like to see that trend continue and for projects to become more advanced in their use of helical piles.
Q: What’s been the most satisfying part of your job?
A: Being a valuable resource to our installers. Helping our installers answer questions about their projects or providing an alternative that saves some money. It's great to know we can help solve problems out there.
Q: What’s been the most challenging aspect?
A: There’s a lot of growth in this industry. The product and technology keep advancing, and it can be hard to stay ahead of the curve as the industry and market change.
Q: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
A: I’d tell myself to be more willing to hand off tasks to co-workers and don’t stress so much because, in the end, things tend to work out.
Q: What would it be if you could “snap your fingers” and change something about your work or the industry?
A: I wish we would have an unlimited amount of helical piles and always have what everyone needs at the price they need! Now, where's that bottle with a genie in it?
Q: Let’s get to know you a bit more; how did you end up with EAS, and what is your role?
A: About ten years ago, I started distributing CHANCE helical pile material for the previous distributor. After three years, I ended up taking a job on the installation side with one of their largest installers. A few years after that, the company's owner sold the installation section of the business and focused on distributing. When that happened, I fell back into my original role of managing the day-to-day operations and accounts.
Q: Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, did EAS feel any effects? If so, what challenges and are there any lasting effects currently presenting challenges for the EAS/DF community?
A: Inventory management and forecasting have been highly challenging throughout the pandemic and today’s environment. We work alongside CHANCE’s fulfillment personnel to ensure we can get our installers the material they need when they need it.
Q: Since being with EAS, what’s the most unexpected thing you’ve repeatedly been asked to do?
A: I run up against unexpected things with many projects; it usually deals with inventory. For instance, a customer needs material for a 150+ pile project within a week. Those requests are always challenging, but somehow, we figure them out and keep our installers installing.
Q: As helical pile technology advances, what will the industry look like ten years from now?
A: The current post-pandemic trend presents more 150+ pile projects as opposed to the 5-10 pile underpinning projects that were prevalent when I first entered the industry. I would like to see that trend continue and for projects to become more advanced in their use of helical piles.
Q: What’s been the most satisfying part of your job?
A: Being a valuable resource to our installers. Helping our installers answer questions about their projects or providing an alternative that saves some money. It's great to know we can help solve problems out there.
Q: What’s been the most challenging aspect?
A: There’s a lot of growth in this industry. The product and technology keep advancing, and it can be hard to stay ahead of the curve as the industry and market change.
Q: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
A: I’d tell myself to be more willing to hand off tasks to co-workers and don’t stress so much because, in the end, things tend to work out.
Q: What would it be if you could “snap your fingers” and change something about your work or the industry?
A: I wish we would have an unlimited amount of helical piles and always have what everyone needs at the price they need! Now, where's that bottle with a genie in it?
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