In today’s fast-paced business environment, numerous moving pieces contribute to a company’s success—production, marketing, sales, and more. Among these, technology stands out as a critical element. From the televisions in our facilities that keep employees informed about upcoming events to the devices that enable them to perform their work, technology is essential to our operations. Our IT department is always on hand to create a safe space for employees, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive.
Structure of Our IT Department
Our IT department consists of four key areas, each vital to our company’s growth:
- Traditional IT
- Software Development
- EDI and ERP Administration
- Web Development
These areas collaborate to ensure our systems are always operational, available, and up to date.
Challenges We Face
The world of IT is not without its challenges. Our IT professionals are tasked with protecting the company from evolving cyber threats. This requires continuous vigilance and adaptability.
Lance Schultz, a dedicated KLN employee with 15 years of experience and the Director of our IT Department, emphasizes the rewarding nature of this demanding role: “Every day is different. It helps you keep your edge and most days you go home feeling like you accomplished something.
As technology rapidly evolves, maintaining system reliability becomes increasingly important. Todd Ziemke, our IT Manager who has been with the team for 11 years, highlights this shift: “11 years ago, if systems or networks went down, the plants could still run. Today, both the office and plants halt altogether due to our reliance on automation and computerization.”
Todd notes that the complexity of their work is also what makes it fascinating: “There are so many different ways to come up with a solution. The interesting part is the decisions we make daily to provide the best results for the organization.”
Mutual Appreciation
At KLN, our IT department is crucial to our success, and the appreciation is mutual. While our employees are grateful for the support of a talented IT team, the IT professionals also feel fortunate to work at KLN. Todd expresses this sentiment, saying, “I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to all the employees. We have some amazing and talented people at all of our campuses.”