Monthly Archives: September 2020

Employee Spotlight: Kevin Dye

September 28, 2020

THE ONLY WAY TO DO GREAT WORK, IS TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO!

Hugg & Hall is a company that strives on longevity, we continue to congratulate our tenured employees. This year, Kevin Dye, a delivery driver in our Fort Smith branch, has reached a 20-year milestone! When describing his work, Kevin mentions, “I pick ’em up and put ‘em down and enjoy, or overcome, different challenges and different people along the way.”

Growing up in the Fort Smith area, Kevin was taught to, “work hard, do your job with pride and integrity, treat others as you would like to be treated, let your bad days be few and far between, for without question many blessings are all around you if you are willing to look beyond your problems long enough to see and receive those blessings.”

Shortly after graduating high school, Kevin joined the United States Air Force and became an aircraft mechanic. His passion and drive have made him a beloved driver to both employees and our customers. Delivery Department Manager Claude Martin mentions, “Kevin has been a loyal dedicated employee for 20 years, he works with high integrity and you can always depend on him getting the job done.” He continues, “Customers give us great feedback in regard to his work performance; bottom line, Kevin is a model driver for Hugg & Hall and he is a pleasure to work with. I look forward to working many more years with Kevin.”

When he isn’t working, Kevin enjoys the outdoors, specifically mountains, rivers, creeks & trails. These activities are a great opportunity to spend time with his bride of 25 years, Kimberly, and their growing family a son and daughter who both got married this year.

Throughout his 20 years at Hugg & Hall, Kevin recalls his first day as his most fond memory. Getting to know and share meals with his co-workers have also presented many unforgettable moments. He mentions, “I truly enjoy the friendships I have been blessed with at Hugg and Hall.” He also enjoys the fun challenges that come along with working with trucks and equipment.

Kevin is very proud of his work and wants each customer to know we appreciate their business and that Hugg & Hall is trustworthy, professional and enjoyable to do business with.

Hugg & Hall would like to send a huge thank you to Kevin Dye for his hard work and dedication throughout 20 years of service.

Choosing The Right Welder

September 17, 2020

Defining your welding process should be the first step taken when deciding on a welder. The welding process you choose will depend on factors such as the type of thickness of your materials, the environmental conditions you will be working in, your skill level, and your time constraints.

In our article below, we explain the four most popular welders:

MIG Welding

One of the easiest welding processes to learn is MIG (metal inert gas) welding, aka gas metal arc welding (GMAW). A MIG welder uses a continuously fed solid wire electrode that melts to bond two base materials together. An inert shielding gas (carbon dioxide and argon/CO2 blends are the most common) contained in a separate bottle is also passed through the welder to prevent exposure of the molten weld pool to airborne contaminants.

As this technique melts an electrode to act as a filler material, it is often used for welding together various metals and alloys (steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys) ranging from extremely thin (starting at 24-gauge) to 1/2-inch thick.

Before using a MIG welder, on many models you will need to set the voltage and the wire feed speed. These models include a chart with suggested voltage settings based on material type and thickness. Other models adjust the settings automatically after a series of dial inputs.

MIG welders generally have a duty cycle of 30 percent to 50 percent, so you can expect three to five minutes of continuous arc welding out of every ten minutes.

Flux-cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

If your next welding project involves both heavy materials and the possibility of working outdoors, you might want to consider a flux-cored arc welder (FCAW) for the job. It uses a similar power supply as a MIG welder (in some cases, the same one) as well as a continuous wire feed, but it does not use an external shielding gas. Instead, a flux compound within the hollow electrode wire reacts with the welding arc to generate the gas that protects the weld pool from oxidation. This shielding process makes FCAW appropriate for outdoor welding work, where wind might otherwise interfere with the bonding process. If needed, additional shielding can be integrated with an external gas tank.

With the proper filler metal and flux composition, this type of welding works well for applications involving carbon steel, stainless steel and low-alloy steels. Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, brass, gold and nickel will not work with this process. Thanks to its flux compound, FCAW is more tolerant of base metal contaminated by dirt, rust or paint.

Duty cycle on FCAW is generally about 40 percent, so you can expect three to four minutes of operation out of every ten minutes.

TIG Welding

Similar to MIG welding in its use of an inert gas for shielding, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, aka gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), differs in its use of a non-consumable tungsten electrode. Unlike the electrode in a MIG setup, this one does not burn up. The tungsten acts as a torch that melts the metal or a filler material. This makes TIG a practical choice for applications that require a clean appearance. TIG welding is also valued in tight quarters because of the lack of smoke, fumes or sparks.

Because TIG is applicable to both ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, it is used often in industries that require high-quality welds, such as aerospace and ship-fitting, as well as in the military. Thanks to its ability to operate at low amperages, it is also used for welding extremely thin materials such as foils and lightweight metal sheets. The only metal TIG is not suitable for is cast iron.

The increase in quality comes with a long learning curve. Unlike MIG welding, which can be picked up rather quickly, it takes time to learn the nuances of TIG to avoid overheating and cracking the metal being bonded. TIG also requires a constant current power source. AC should be used when welding aluminum.

Stick Welding

One of the most common arc welding techniques, shielded metal arc welding, or SMAW, also called “stick” welding, uses a flux-coated electrode (the stick) to form the weld. Similar to FCAW, electricity passing through the electrode reacts with a flux compound to generate the necessary shielding gas. This gives the welder a big advantage when working on projects in unfavorable environments such as wind or rain.

Portability and lower sensitivity to dirt or paint at the weld point makes stick welders a popular option for use in remote locations. This type of welding is practical only on steel, stainless steel and cast iron.

Downsides of stick welding include the high skill level required and associated downtime. Electrode sticks can be only so long, and work must be stopped to replace them once they are consumed. In addition to limitations with thinner metals, stick welding is also slow and requires slag to be chipped away after welding is complete. Common applications include pipelines, farm machinery and even underwater welding.

Duty cycle on stick welding is generally less than 25 percent, so you can attain roughly 2.5 minutes of welding operation out of every ten minutes. A DC/AC welder power supply is best.

You should always have the proper training and experience necessary to undertake any welding techniques and procedures. Also, you should adhere to all manufacturer specifications regarding the use and operation of any welding equipment and/or accessories that you are employing for your job.

For more information on the availability of welders and welding accessories for your next project, contact a Hugg & Hall branch near you or browse our inventory here.

Employee Spotlight: Bryan Hooks

September 10, 2020

SAY HELLO TO BRYAN HOOKS!

Bryan works as an Outside Rental Salesperson in our Oklahoma City branch. He likes to begin each day just before sunrise, to make time to deliver “happies” (cookies or donuts) to his clients’ jobsites and research new potential partners. While visiting clients, he may find himself taking measurements and making recommendations to assure each customer has the perfect piece of equipment.

With great pride, Bryan and our rental team work together to provide equipment with competitive pricing & delivery to meet the customers’ needs. This includes thinking strategically to provide innovative solutions when issues arise. When speaking with Bryan he states, “I believe every interaction, transaction, or piece of equipment associated with my name should be of the highest quality. I also take pride in simply doing what I say I will do for my customers, every time.”

Growing up in Newcastle and currently residing in Edmond, Bryan knows the Oklahoma City area well. On the job, he works to make sure each customer is confident that all their rental needs are met, within their requested time frame. “I ensure customers know that we are problem solvers, not just order takers.” Bryan continues, “Repeat business is the lifeline of sustainability, so customers satisfaction with each transaction is of utmost importance.”

In addition to being a customer favorite, Bryan lives a very active life. When asked, he mentions he could not live without Jesus or his children, Eli, Noah & Micah. He enjoys playing golf and attending college football games. After work and on the weekends, you can find Bryan enjoying a game of catch with his youngest son, who is the quarterback of his high school football team. Bryan enjoys grilling for his older sons and their friends and meeting for lunch and church.

When asking about Bryan’s past, he mentions that in his days at the University of Memphis, he was crowned Tush Push King of Memphis; he even has the belt buckle to prove it! While in Memphis, Bryan studied Sales & Marketing while playing college baseball. He even played semi-pro after graduation.

In his time at Hugg & Hall, he has worked hard to make everyone smile. With the world on hold because of COVID, Bryan wanted to bring cheer to not only our customers but to the people of Oklahoma City. He dressed in one of his dad’s famous costumes, the Easter Bunny, and waved to passersby traveling on Interstate 35 from a 40-foot scissor. Helicopters from at least two local news stations covered the story and a reporter interviewed him for the evening news.

Bryan’s favorite thing about working for Hugg & Hall has been the teamwork atmosphere and “never say no” attitude. He says, “We have a competitive yet family-oriented sales and management team that always work collectively to help employees achieve our goals.” Hugg & Hall would like to send a huge thank you to Bryan Hooks for his hard work and positive attitude as an Outside Rental Salesperson.

Want to read more about our awesome employees? Check out our employee spotlights page!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2020. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in March 2023.

& More

September 8, 2020

Our ampersand means more!

With over 60 years in the equipment industry, “& MORE” has become our specialty. We are more than sales, rental, parts & service – we are Hugg & Hall.

& MORE Our CULTURE allows employees to work together and create comprehensive solutions for customers. Without support from peers, the specialized equipment and product support that Hugg & Hall has become known for would be impossible to provide.

& MORE Formed in 1956, Hugg & Hall has a HISTORY that other companies strive to reach. With equipment brands and relationships that surpass industry standards we truly make our customers’ needs our own. Each year we continue to receive awards from our distributors and partners that reflect the true efforts of our team.

& MORE Our company has a strong VISION that through team leadership, teamwork & dedication we can achieve any goal. This is possible by providing products & services to our customers; opportunity & enrichment from our employees; & value to our suppliers.

Employee Spotlight: Britney Bradshaw

September 2, 2020

“Ask Britney!”

Meet Britney Bradshaw, Service Manager at our El Dorado branch!

Britney’s original spotlight was published 9/20/2020. Read on to get an update about her new role at Hugg & Hall!

What’s your hometown?

Camden, AR.

Family?

One son, Roen, who is 11 years old and will be attending 6th grade this year.

What does your typical day at work look like?

I feel like I do a little bit of everything! But a quick way to sum it up would be that I help manage the daily operations of our service department, and make sure our operations are going as smoothly as possible. I’m constantly on the phone assisting technicians and make sure they have everything they need to handle a service job. I communicate with customers and do everything we can to accommodate any requests, and I help my coworkers with anything they’re unsure of. I think one of the most common phrases around here is “Ask Britney!”

How long have you been with Hugg & Hall?

10 years.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Honestly, the people I work with! Even though there are days we all drive each other crazy, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. We have a great group of people here, and it makes a huge difference being able to come to work and having a good team to work with every day!

Have you had other roles while working here? Did you work in the industry before Hugg & Hall?

I started out at Hugg & Hall as a Service Administrator, moved into the Field Service Coordinator position, and have since been promoted into the Field Service Manager/Coordinator role.

Before coming to Hugg & Hall, I was still enrolled in college (for dentistry) and working part-time. I got a call from Tracey Gibbs asking if I was interested in the Service Administrator position. After I got my first degree, I was going to take a break from school for a semester or too. Honestly, I thought I would just be at Hugg & Hall for a couple of years until I had to move to continue school. But I enjoyed working here and loved the people I worked with, so I never did end up going back! Here I am, 10 years later, and hopefully many more! I definitely went into a totally different career than what I originally planned!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my family, and that’s mostly where you’ll find me in my free time. I like to travel. To me, experiences are way more important than materialistic things. I try to make memories with the people I love, more than anything else!

What are your passions?

Outside of work, I would have to say I’m most passionate about helping children. This past year I completed my 5-year term being a volunteer/board member for the nonprofit organization National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA). Their focus is meeting the needs of children in our local community, spotlighting their welfare, health, recreation, culture, and education. It took a lot of time and hard work, but it was so rewarding! I’m enjoying having free time, but I look forward to getting involved with another non-profit organization.

What’s something that the people you work with might be surprised to know about you?

This isn’t a surprise to most of my coworkers in El Dorado, but a fun fact about me is that I’m a 2nd generation employee. My mom started working for Hugg & Hall when I was five years old and worked here for 13 years before she retired after I graduated high school. Today, there are several employees still working that have been here from the beginning of my “Hugg & Hall life.” I honestly feel like I grew up here and Hugg & Hall is my family!

2022 Update

In 2022, Britney accepted the position of Service Manager in El Dorado and celebrated 12 years with Hugg & Hall! We took the opportunity to catch back up with her.

What does your day look like in your new position?

I’m taking additional responsibilities and developing myself and my team. I’m super excited about the Field Service Manager that I selected to fill my prior position, and I’m thrilled with the “Dream Team” I’m building. I have big plans for us!

What do you want to bring to the department as Service Manager?

As always, our first and main focus is having happy, well-served customers! In addition, I believe having happy, well-treated employees plays a huge role in that! I want to make sure my team feels how much they are appreciated, and that they’re getting all the training and tools they need to do their job more efficiently and effectively. El Dorado just became the Bobcat dealer for our territory, and we officially started a new branch in Shreveport this summer to take over our Northwest and Central Louisiana territory. We have a lot of new, exciting thins happening and we continue to grow and evolve like never before!

What’s the most interesting place you’ve traveled since we last spoke?

I haven’t traveled out of the country since the pandemic started, so we’ve stuck to our normal Florida beach trips. One cool thing we’ve done, that will most likely end up being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, was go to Universal Studios when they first opened after the pandemic. A lot of people were still nervous about the unknowns of Covid, so park attendance was super low. There were no lines and we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves! I told my son he got spoiled on his first trip and if he ever went back, it would definitely not be the same experience!

What’s your favorite quote that impacts your daily life?

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Congratulations on your promotion, Britney!

Want to hear more about our awesome employees? Check out our Employee Spotlight page!