As seen in the Tried & True Summer 2024 issue
Truck Chasing Over State Lines
We initially caught up with Dave as he was on his way from Iowa to Monticello, IN. He was coming to pick up a new truck he had purchased. Now, you might be asking yourself, “Why was he coming all the way to Indiana to buy a truck? Surely Iowa has plenty!” For Dave, it all boils down to relationships. Several years ago Dave found himself somewhat stranded (and in the market for a new truck) in Indiana after a business conference. Dave set his sights on a truck at Hubbard Auto Dealership, but, he didn’t want to hassle with a loan that day—nor did he need it. What Dave needed was his checkbook, but it was back in Iowa. With great generosity, the dealership let him take the truck in good faith. Through mutual relationships with Chris Overmyer and Fratco, the dealership extended their trust in Fratco, to Dave. Agreeing to let Dave drive the unpaid for truck back to Iowa, where he mailed a check back, just as he had promised. This relationship was a huge step forward for Dave, saying he would always buy his vehicles there from now on… and of course, he’s kept his word.
Beginnings Rooted in Hard Work and Community
The roots of KTS Custom Fabrication can be traced back to the earnest efforts of Dave and Jean Leichtman, whose upbringing in family farming instilled in them the values of hard work and community trust. Dave and Jean grew up knowing each other as their families lived 5 miles apart in the beautiful, fertile countryside of New Hampton, Iowa. They started dating in high school and shortly after graduating high school, they got married, had their first daughter and moved into a farmhouse next to Neil and Evelyn Kahn, the founders of Kahn Tile Supply.
Their journey with Kahn Tile Supply began in 2003, marking the start of what would become a significant chapter in their lives. The Leichtmans rented farmland from the Kahns, and soon the Kahns brought Dave on to the Kahn Tile Supply Team. Dave’s initial role involved making deliveries and stocking inventory for the Kahn’s, a humble beginning that laid the foundation for future endeavors. When Neil Kahn passed away in 2004, Dave stepped up more to help Evelyn Kahn run the day-to-day business.
In our insightful conversation with Dave, he reflected on the essence of the drainage industry, saying, “Relationships are the number one thing!” This principle has guided the Leichtmans’ path, especially when, in 2010, Dave and Jean took a decisive step together by purchasing Kahn Tile Supply, heralding a new era of growth and partnership with Fratco. They then moved their location from the Kahn’s home to downtown New Hampton in 2012.
Holding fast to the family-oriented background, Evelyn continued to run the business side of Kahn Tile Supply until 2016, when she passed away at 76 years old. Jean then left her career as a nurse to take over Evelyn’s role, and the whole family started pitching in.
Reflecting on his connection with Neil and Evelyn, Dave shared, “The Kahns saw our hard work and dedication and were confident in partnering with us.” This sentiment underscores the essence of Kahn Tile Supply and its founders: a relentless pursuit of excellence, nurtured within a community that values trust, hard work and the bonds of family. Though the owners had changed, the core value of Kahn Tile Supply never did:
customers are family, and family comes first.
Forging a Partnership with Fratco
Already familiar with each other, as Kahn Tile Supply had sold Fratco pipe for years, in 2020 Dave and Chris sat down to explore their shared vision that would further bridge the two companies, fostering an alliance built on trust and the collective aim of delivering exceptional solutions in the drainage sector. This led Dave and Jean to officially launch the sister company of Kahn Tile Supply, KTS Custom Fabrication, which wholly focuses on the custom fabrication of drainage parts for special projects. There was nothing comparable out there that could deliver custom solutions quickly and efficiently.
Dave recalls a pivotal moment that solidified his partnership with Fratco: “Chris flew me out to Indiana and taught me the process [of custom fab]. He wanted me to go back to Iowa and make custom fittings.” This gesture of support and collaboration from Chris and Fratco was a turning point, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning and mutual trust. Not only had Dave gained valuable insights for his company, but Fratco gained a trusted partner that would benefit its customers as well.
Innovating Custom Solutions
KTS Custom Fabrication is built on its commitment to innovation ensuring that no matter the part for a custom drainage project, KTS Custom Fabrication could create it. The drainage industry, with its complex needs and challenges, demands flexibility and precision–qualities that KTS Custom Fabrication embodies. Dave explained that we live in a society where everything we want–as consumers–can be at our doorstep within minutes to a day or two. This instant-delivery mentality has crept into all types of industries and really explains the transformative impact of Dave’s approach, “Custom fab is the same. People want things quickly, and we can do that with custom orders.”
Their dedication to crafting tailored solutions has set them apart, with state-of-the-art equipment like the 5-axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine, enabling them to undertake projects that were previously unfeasible. The term “5-axis” refers to the number of directions that the cutting tool can move. On a 5-axis machine, the cutting tool moves across the X, Y and Z linear axes as well as rotates on the A and B axes to cut pieces from any direction. This technological versatility, combined with a deep understanding of their clients’ needs, has allowed KTS Custom Fabrication to offer unmatched services in the drainage industry.
A Vision for Sustainability and Growth
Looking to the future, KTS Custom Fabrication is not just focused on serving their customers to the best of their ability, but also on sustainability. Their commitment to recycling waste and unused product back into production is a testament to their dedication to environmental stewardship. Dave proudly shared, “We recycle any unused parts back to Fratco. We sell them back to be made into pipe, and they go straight to regrind.”
As KTS Custom Fabrication continues to evolve, its partnership with Fratco remains a cornerstone of pivotal growth for both companies. The shared values and unwavering trust between the two companies have cultivated a fertile ground for innovation, setting a precedent for the industry at large.
Beyond Business: A Family Legacy
Beyond all of the technical achievements and business milestones lies the heart of KTS Custom Fabrication–a story of a family’s journey through the realms of hard work, dedication and the joys of seeing a vision come to life. Dave and Jean, along with their children, embody the spirit of family and the belief in making a difference through their work.
The whole family helps to make both companies thrive. Jean’s brother, Linn, is a manager for Kahn Tile Supply. Isabel, the Leichtman’s oldest daughter, helps with marketing while attending nursing school. Their second daughter, Ava, a freshman in high school, has done everything from drilling holes in tile to driving tractors and even doing paperwork in the office. Their son, Bryer, works on the farm, helps in the custom fabrication shop and even has his own tractor. The Leichtmans also have many nephews that help with farming, hauling pipe and work in the custom fabrication shop.
Outside of working to help move the drainage industry forward, Dave coaches his daughters high school basketball team. When comparing coaching the team to running his business he remarked, “When you’re coaching, you’re also leading young individuals and guiding them. And so I see a huge correlation between the two. Everyone wants to have a great culture and work atmosphere, and if you have great teammates or coworkers, your practice (or your work day) flies by.”
Jean couldn’t say enough about how supportive and loving the team is at KTS. Jean’s sister passed away last November leaving her husband and two small children behind. The KTS team put on a fundraiser to raise money for the family. Jean affectionately told us, “We are here for each other in our worst moments–we all have each other’s back. We care about our employees personally, and we know that they care about us.”
Pioneering the Future Together
KTS Custom Fabrication and their partnership with Fratco is a beacon of innovation, resilience and collaboration in the drainage industry. As more and more unique problems arise, more diverse custom solutions are needed, and KTS Custom Fabrication is ready. But, the story goes beyond just business. It’s about community, family and coming together with a common vision for a brighter future.
As KTS Custom Fabrication looks ahead, its roots remain firmly planted in the values that have guided its journey so far. They stand ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, driven by a commitment to innovation, excellence, relationships and a deep understanding of the industry they serve.
