May 7, 2025
Skilled Trades Day 2025
On Skilled Trades Day, we’re celebrating our dedicated team members who put their expertise on display every day at Koch Fertilizer. With more than 200 skilled trades roles, we’re highlighting a handful of these highly qualified workers — because behind every pipe fitting, precision weld and preventative maintenance on a myriad instruments is the mastery of a skilled professional. We asked three of our skilled trades employees to share about their role and experience at Koch. Here’s what they had to say.
What is your trade and how do you use it in your role?
“Fixed equipment is responsible for maintaining valves, piping, exchangers and vessels. I don't exactly have a specific trade; I utilize several trades to complete my daily tasks. I am an NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) crane operator, pipefitter, boilermaker and welder. I enjoy the opportunity to utilize all the skills I have learned over the years and continually grow my capabilities and learn more every day.”
— Edward DeWitt, fixed equipment mechanic, Enid, Oklahoma
“My specific trade is electricity/instrumentation technician. In this role, I operate equipment with anywhere from 24 to 4160 volts. I help maintain the integrity of the electricity and instrumentation that our plant operates. Instrumentation and electrical is critical to the safety and reliability of the site.”
— Shannon McKennie, instrumentation & electrical planner, Fort Dodge, Iowa
“My trade is twofold. I specialize in rotating equipment as a millwright, but I also bring specialized skills with my tool and die machining background. I use my millwright role to troubleshoot and maintain the rotating equipment on our site. We have varying sizes of pumps, compressors, electric motors and other specialized equipment for fertilizer manufacturing.”
— Marty Sedore, maintenance technician, Wever, Iowa
What makes Koch a unique place to work?
“Koch is a unique place to work for many reasons. I would say what impacts me the most is the empowerment and support the company provides to its employees. Each day, you have the opportunity to learn something new, challenge a process, have the resources to complete a job without a doubt and the empowerment to work with things you are passionate about. Not many companies back employees the way Koch does.”
— Shannon McKennie, instrumentation & electrical planner, Fort Dodge, Iowa
“Since the Wever plant transitioned to Koch in September 2024, I have appreciated that my voice is heard, and the company does what they say they will. They are committed to developing a positive culture, and we are already seeing the results of Principle Based Management. Wever is a state-of-the-art industrial facility that has the most up-to-date and modern fertilizer technology and equipment. The plant has equipment that this area of the world hasn't seen before, and it is equally challenging and fulfilling to troubleshoot and repair.”
— Marty Sedore, maintenance technician, Wever, Iowa
“Koch gives you the opportunity to be the best version of yourself and pursue the career you want to be in. We focus on the bottoms up approach and will help you be successful by continually growing your capabilities through transformation and knowledge sharing. It’s very rewarding when I can share my knowledge and experience with someone who hasn’t done something I have.”
— Edward DeWitt, fixed equipment mechanic, Enid, Oklahoma
What advice would you give to a new hire in your role?
“Listen to people who have come before you and the advice they have to give and be willing to learn something new every day. Be humble and be a sponge — listening is the first key to learning. Mistakes will happen, take them in stride and use them as learning opportunities.”
— Marty Sedore, maintenance technician, Wever, Iowa
“Be eager to push yourself to do things you haven’t done before. You will fail at everything you don't try to accomplish. When I was young and working on the farm, my father told me something I’ve never forgotten: ‘Can't simply means you haven't done it yet.’ Ever since then, I’ve looked at challenges differently. You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed.”
— Edward DeWitt, fixed equipment mechanic, Enid, Oklahoma
“On your first day do your best not to overwhelm yourself. Our plants are unique, and most people have never seen anything like them before. The best thing you can do on day one is to get to know people. Get to know our culture and everyone will work together to get you where you need to be.”
— Shannon McKennie, instrumentation & electrical planner, Fort Dodge, Iowa
What does self-actualization mean to you?
“Self-actualization in my role is self-motivation, a transformation mindset and humility. In this role you are going to make mistakes. You must be self-driven to grow and have the humility to work alone and with a team to become the best version of yourself. You have to want to keep improving and embrace the ongoing journey.”
— Shannon McKennie, instrumentation & electrical planner, Fort Dodge, Iowa
“It means I’m able to use my creative mindset to come up with ideas and implement them. This gives me the freedom to be innovative in my work and helps generate constructive conversations with my coworkers when troubleshooting or brainstorming on issues at the plant.”
— Marty Sedore, maintenance technician, Wever, Iowa
“To me, it’s becoming the best version of yourself by being a lifelong learner who is willing to learn more every day and continuing the process forward by sharing what we know with others.”
— Edward DeWitt, fixed equipment mechanic, Enid, Oklahoma
