Photo courtesy of Tough Seats
The Tough Seats team (L-R): Ted Gogolewski, warehouse manager; owner Nick Kemnitz; Tony Saucedo, head of assembly; Todd Kemnitz, warehouse; Neal Tarnowske, sales; Chris Baker, sales; Sarah Saucerman, office manager; Teddy Gogolewski, warehouse; and front and center is office mascot Gus Kemnitz.
In 2010, Nick Kemnitz established Tough Seats, which has since become a leader in the heavy machinery seating industry.
From its humble beginnings in Kemnitz’s rental unit with an $8,800 inventory, the company has become a significant player in the equipment seating market.
Kemnitz, the visionary behind Tough Seats, launched the company drawing from his industry experience post-college.
“I had worked for a supply company out of college, and it felt right to start my own business focusing on what I knew best,” Kemnitz said.
He started Tough Seats at 29, beginning the business alone in a rented 1,200-sq.-ft unit.
Today, the company operates from a 15,000-sq.- ft. facility, which has expanded several times.
Steady Growth
Tough Seats, which is based in Trevor, Wis., has seen significant evolution.
“We’ve created the versatility to be the one-stop shop for seats for nationwide shoppers,” Kemnitz said.
The company now stocks top-rated brands such as Grammer, KAB Seating and Sears. This wide-ranging inventory includes seats for backhoes, dozers, excavators, off-highway trucks, skid steers, scrapers, wheel loaders and tractors.
“Dozer seats tend to be our best seller because of the open cab,” Kemnitz said. The seats range in price from a few hundred dollars to $2,000.
The growth of Tough Seats is mirrored in its team expansion. From a one-person operation, it has grown to a robust team of 10 employees. Key team members, like Sarah Saucerman, Tony Saucedo and Ted Gogolewski, have been instrumental in the company’s success. Several of Kemnitz’s family members also are employed by the company.
Custom Engineering Solutions
One unique aspect of Tough Seats is its ability to customize and engineer mounting plates and brackets to meet attachment designs from older to modern-day seats.
Photo courtesy of Tough Seats
“The third-party seat companies do not make the brackets to fit the seats into the machines, so we have had to engineer our own solutions which makes our company unique,” Kemnitz said, explaining that the process has evolved over the years, adding a distinctive edge to the offerings.
Customer service is a cornerstone of Tough Seats’ operations. The company prides itself on quick turnaround times.
“We can usually get a new sea” shipped out the door to a customer within one business day,” Kemnitz said.
Additionally, its return rate has been less than 1 percent over the last two years, indicating success in delivering the right product consistently.
“We do it right the first time,” Kemnitz said.
The service facilities in Trevor are well-equipped to meet various customer needs, ensuring consistent and fast delivery. This commitment to prompt service is a critical component of its customer satisfaction strategy.
Tough Seats has earned multiple awards for its contributions as a large distributor of several major seat manufacturers, according to the company.
“We’ve earned five significant recognitions for our distribution capabilities,” Kemnitz said, highlighting awards from Grammer for largest growth, highest sales value, and sales growth over multiple years.
Future Considerations
As Tough Seats looks to the future, Kemnitz envisions continued growth and innovation.
“We’re always looking at the future and how we can better serve our customers,” he said. “In the future, we would like to expand further into small OEMs and into the joystick aspect of seats. This is a vision we see many years ahead in the future.”
This forward-thinking approach is essential as the company navigates industry challenges and seeks new opportunities. With a strong foundation and a clear vision, Tough Seats is positioned for continued success in the heavy machinery seating industry.
Upcoming Events
Tough Seats will be at Mine Expo 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in September.
“Come visit us,” Kemnitz said, offering an opportunity for attendees to learn more about their products and services.
For more information, visit toughseats.com
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