Rodger A. Kaufman is a versatile leader, drawing from a wealth of experiences that have shaped his corporate journey. His four-decade career, spanning brand and direct mail marketing, is a testament to his ability to drive significant growth, foster engagement, and achieve remarkable success. His roles as an author, mentor, and consultant further showcase his multifaceted approach to leadership. Rodger’s career is defined by his commitment to growth and making a positive impact, transcending traditional professional titles. As a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning, Rodger has earned multiple advanced degrees and specialized certifications in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. His academic pursuits reflect a passion for mastering new skills and improving the world around him. But beyond the credentials, Rodger’s resilience, humility, unwavering dedication to his goals, and relentless pursuit of excellence truly set him apart. His story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to overcome challenges and the rewards of continually striving to learn and improve.
A Remarkable Career Trajectory
Rodger’s entrepreneurial journey began four decades ago with a passion for creating and building. His first major venture was a manufacturing business that produced wall panel systems and countertops, followed by a foray into decorative shower drains. These early ventures showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and taught valuable business and product development lessons.
Rodger’s professional journey is diverse, including significant corporate and public service stints. He worked for North America’s largest full-truck freight carrier, gaining valuable insights into the corporate world. His time as a Federal Department of Homeland Security officer was equally enlightening, adding a unique perspective to his professional repertoire.
Rodger’s forward-thinking approach is evident in his early embrace of e-commerce when he recognized its potential to reach a global market. Today, he offers private and discrete consulting services for business owners and CEOs, leveraging his insights to help them navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and profitability.
Thorough Built, LLC: Building on a Legacy of Innovation and Excellence
Thorough Built, LLC is known for consistently delivering innovative, high-quality engineered solutions that cater to its customers’ unique needs. The company’s unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction is not just a part of its mission statement but a deeply ingrained part of its culture, evident in its rich history and steady growth.
Thorough Built, LLC, is not just a manufacturer; it’s a pioneer in transforming the metal fabrication industry. Driven by a vision of continuous innovation, Thorough Built is reimagining the fabrication process to achieve greater efficiency and precision. The vision is brought to life using advanced CNC optical fiber laser cutting machines, leading to cutting-edge technological and processing advancements.
The Genesis of Thorough Built and Its Remarkable Journey
In 2017, Nelson Johnston, a visionary entrepreneur with an unwavering commitment to quality, founded Thorough Built with a clear mission: revolutionizing the industry with unmatched customer service and precision-engineered solutions. What began as a modest venture quickly became a symbol of reliability and excellence, earning clients’ trust and setting new industry standards. A pivotal moment in Thorough Built’s history arrived in 2021 when the company secured a partnership with Volkswagen. This collaboration showcased Thorough Built’s capacity to deliver top-tier OEM and engineering solutions globally, cementing its reputation as a leader in the field.
The following year, in 2022, Thorough Built took a groundbreaking step forward by acquiring the Amada ENSIS 3015 fiber laser. This acquisition enhanced the company’s technological capabilities and solidified its position as an industry trailblazer.
In 2023, Thorough Built expanded its horizons further by entering the building industry. With this bold move, the company began offering premium full-service steel structural components and buildings, marking a new chapter in its legacy of innovation and quality.
Service Portfolio
Thorough Built, LLC. offers a diverse and comprehensive range of services designed to meet the unique needs of various industries. Our service offerings include:
- Engineered Solutions
- CNC Press Brake
- CNC Laser Cutting
- CNC Machining
- TIG, MIG, and STICK Welding
- Field Services
- Spydercrane and Boom Crane Services
- Structural and Architectural Steel
At Thorough Built, LLC., every service is delivered with the highest quality standards, ensuring our customers receive exceptional products and solutions tailored precisely to their needs. Our unwavering commitment to excellence guarantees that when you choose Thorough Built, you select the best in the industry. This commitment to quality is reflected in every aspect of our business, from our innovative technology to our customer service, building trust with our clients.
An Edge Over the Peers
Thorough Built, LLC., is distinguished by its innovative technology, exceptional customer service, and commitment to quality. The company’s vision is to change the world’s perception of metal fabrication, showing its pioneering spirit. Thorough Built aims to revolutionize metal fabrication by enhancing efficiency and accuracy, leading to faster products and shorter delivery periods. The company’s innovative technology has significantly impacted the metal fabrication industry, setting new standards and promising its customers and partners an exciting future.
Ensuring Alignment and Commitment
Rodger, a seasoned entrepreneur and leader, has spent decades refining his approach to this critical aspect of business management. The process involves precise vision formulation, effective communication, active engagement, and continuous feedback. He develops and communicates his strategic vision to ensure that every organization member at Thorough Built is aligned with and committed to the collective goals.
A Distinctive Approach to Finding and Nurturing Leadership
The first step in identifying leadership potential is to observe how employees perform and behave in various situations. Feedback from peers and supervisors provides valuable insights into an employee’s leadership potential. Further, Rodger looks for professionals who excel in problem solving and decision-making skills and are deeply engaged in their work. These professionals continually seek improvement while aligning with Thorough Built’s values.
To nurture leadership, Rodger emphasizes continuous learning and fosters an environment of open communication where employees at all levels are encouraged to share ideas, voice concerns, and provide constructive feedback. He also acknowledges and celebrates employees who demonstrate leadership qualities through formal recognition programs.
Balancing data-driven decision-making with intuition
Balancing data-driven decision-making with intuition and experience is crucial to effective leadership. Thorough Built uses data to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), track market trends, and assess operational efficiency.
While data is invaluable, intuition and experience also play a critical role in leadership. The key to effective leadership is integrating data-driven decision-making with intuition and experience. Thorough Built follows a structured process to achieve this integration.
Rodger’s Evolving Approach to Problem-Solving and Innovation
Rodger’s diverse experiences have profoundly influenced his approach to problem-solving and innovation at Thorough Built, LLC. By proactively identifying issues, making data-driven decisions, continuously improving, fostering a culture of innovation, and promoting collaboration, the team navigates challenges effectively and drives sustained growth and success. This holistic and dynamic approach allows Thorough Built to remain competitive and responsive in an ever changing market landscape.
The Secret Behind Managing His Professional Responsibilities with Passions
“My passions for cars, history, and spending time with my grandchild enrich my life and provide a foundation for a fulfilling existence,” shares Rodger. From a young age, he has thrived on accountability and excellence, fueling his desire to excel professionally. This drive has been a cornerstone of his career, enabling him to significantly contribute to Thorough Built, LLC.
Nelson, the visionary behind Thorough Built, has a unique leadership philosophy. He encourages his team to care for the families with the same dedication they bring to the work. This supportive environment allows Rodger to achieve a balance that would otherwise be unattainable.
“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines between generations, filling the hearts of their grandparents with boundless love and joy.” – Rodger A. Kaufman.
This quote encapsulates his profound connection with his grandson and the importance of family in his life.
The Future of Thorough Built, LLC
Envisioning Thorough Built, LLC’s future growth and development over the next decade involves a multifaceted strategy driven by innovation, diversification, strategic partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to quality.
One of the company’s primary objectives is to expand its domestic and international market presence. It aims to diversify its product line by introducing new products that complement the existing range of engineered solutions, CNC machining, and structural steel fabrication.
The company will invest in comprehensive marketing strategies, including digital marketing, trade shows, and industry conferences. Enhancing its technological capabilities will continue to be a cornerstone of the company’s growth strategy.
Words of Wisdom from the Visionary
Rodger believes aspiring entrepreneurs succeed by embracing new ideas and maintaining a relentless thirst for knowledge. He encourages them to stay curious, approach every situation with an open mind, and see every mistake as an opportunity for growth.
Rodger’s advice is simple yet profound: Never stop learning. Whether through formal education, devouring books, or exchanging ideas with peers, the learning journey should never end. Perhaps most importantly, he stresses the value of humility, which is being willing to listen and learn from everyone, regardless of their title or experience.
By embodying these principles, aspiring entrepreneurs can build successful ventures and continuously evolve, adapting to the ever-changing business landscape with wisdom and resilience.