Industrial Distribution and Material Handling Promoted as a Career Option for Students

Riekes Equipment Supports University of Kearney Program

Industrial Distribution and Material Handling Promoted as a Career Option for Students

OMAHA, NE (November 17, 2020) – Riekes Equipment is proud to announce their support of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Industrial Distribution Program (UNK ID) which provides Nebraska students with career options in material handling, aviation, construction management, product design and industrial distribution industries.

Dr. Ben Brachle, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator said, “The mission of the UNK ID program is to provide students with good foundational knowledge in business, sales, management, leadership as well as more technical areas like fluid power, electronics, mechanical power and material sciences. The practical education opportunities presented by Riekes’ support are essential to ensure the next generation of the industry’s workforce have a passion for materials handling and distribution.”

The recent equipment and product donations from Riekes Equipment will be used to support the one-of-a-kind Wholesale Distribution Branch Simulation Center, a small-scale mock industrial distributor material handling laboratory. The shelving in conjunction with a conveyor system will be a key part to the facility and offers students hands-on education unlike anything else.

Brachle added, “We use this lab to teach our students a variety of distribution topics from basic operations and inventory management to ERP/CRM to inside sales and quoting functions. In addition to education, the shelving also has functional use to store our technical products needed for the classroom.”

“We’re very proud of our partnership with the UNK ID program and delighted to be providing its students with opportunities to learn and develop so that the industry as a whole enjoys the benefits of their skills and experience in the years to come,” says Ed Ketcham, Director of Sales, Riekes Equipment. “Supporting the program is a reflection of Riekes’ commitment to being a trusted partner in the area we call home.”

The UNK Industrial Distribution program is one of the top programs in the country for this specialty. It is focused on industrial sales, so the students graduating from ID will likely enter the workforce in an industry that will involve material handling. Not only does Riekes sponsor the program, they also hire its graduates.

“Over the years we have had five salespeople that came out of the program,” said Ketcham. “But it’s not just about us. We support the program because we want the students to get a high-quality, well-rounded education. Our industry and many others have needs for high-quality employees. UNK graduates are among the best of the best, so supporting the program just makes sense. The more we can do to support them ensures that we will have quality people entering the workforce for years to come.”

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RIEKES EQUIPMENT COMPANY– Founded in 1936, Riekes Equipment is an industry leader in material handling and warehouse solutions. Riekes offers forklifts, racking, hoist and crane products and fleet management services, as well as, parts and service for all brands of lift equipment, aerial lifts, docks and other warehouse equipment. Riekes plays an important role in finding effective solutions for warehouses, service departments and distribution centers. The company is dedicated to upholding the same high-performance standards and customer service today as it has for decades. Riekes is an authorized Yale forklift dealer headquartered in Omaha, NE with locations throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For more information, visit www.RiekesEquipment.com.

UNIVERSITY OF KEARNEY INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM – The UNK ID Program prepares students for careers in technical sales and for future business leadership roles. They are provided with professional, technical, business, communication and leadership competencies. The curriculum for Industrial Distribution students comes from the leaders in manufacturing and distribution and from the U.S. Department of Labor, and includes an emphasis on six key areas: agriculture, chemical and pharmaceutical, electrical, instruments, mechanical equipment and supplies, and medical. Learn more at https://www.unk.edu/academics/itec/industrial-distribution/index.php