Meet the Rome Team: Part 2 | Rome Grinding Solutions

Every member of the Rome Team brings something special to our company. Behind each member,  there is a passion for the equipment manufacturing industry that makes Rome Grinding Solutions so unique. 

We find that it is important for our customers and colleagues to know some of the people that make up Team Rome, especially those that you will see in the plants. Today, we introduce you to Derek Kamstra, who has been with Rome for 5 years and is a Regional Sales Specialist. 

Question: How did you start working for Rome Grinding Solutions?

Answer: Rome was actually a customer of mine prior to working for them. One day I was out there visiting with them and just talking about wanting to take on a new challenge and look for something with further growth opportunities. Kate Rome looked over at me and said come work for us. It was a couple weeks later we came to an agreement and that was that.

Question: What do you like best about working for Rome?

Answer: There are a lot of "best" things. It's hard to pin point 1 best thing. I thoroughly enjoy helping the current customer base and being a valuable part of keeping them up and running everyday. Turning someone's bad day into a good day is very rewarding. I enjoy the challenges in trying to develop new customer relationships. Trust is not something handed out easily from a potential customers, so building those relationships and gaining that trust is very rewarding for me. Everyday seems to have its challenges but overcoming those and hearing the customers tell you "thank you for everything you do" is like ending a round of golf with a hole in one. It gets you excited to come back and play another round tomorrow. 

Question: What was your favorite project that you have worked on?

Answer: Not to copy Ryan in part 1 of this, but definitely the full grind lines. I can't honestly say one project over another, any full grind line is exciting to do. Seeing them come together from an empty room or space to all that amazing looking equipment operating is extremely rewarding.

Question: What is the most valuable thing that you can provide your clients?

Answer: I would say we are a very versatile operation from the stand point of if someone needs help right now; our production team is very good with adjusting to the needs of emergencies. All I do there is just get the ball rolling and those guys in our shop get it. Along with this, I have the ability to be very responsive to the needs out in the field when needed. Time is money, and being able to provide fast answers or assistance to all our customers is a big part of what has helped build our relationships. I would go along with what Ryan said in "part 1" that this is a major benefit of working for a family owned business, our abilities to provide these types of responses to customers needs is much more seamless than most companies when looking for answers or solutions. 

Keep your eye out for more interviews with members of the Rome Team in the coming weeks!