April 2010 – Dakota Bodies, Inc. is located in Watertown, South Dakota. Our company began business in 1997 as a Body manufacturer. Today, within our company, we currently employ around 100 people. Our manufacturing facility is geared toward providing our customers with line bodies, flatbeds, superstructures, and service bodies. Our end user base includes utility companies and municipalities, commercial construction companies, and various other end users. Body base material construction consists of Galvannealed Steel, Stainless Steel, and Aluminum materials.

Within our demographic of business, there has been a shift in focus to providing more Aluminum constructed products. This is due in part to the “Green Imitative” taking place today. The benefits of aluminum construction are less weight to allow for greater payload capacities and /or reduced weight and better fuel mileage, corrosion resistance, and it is easily recyclable.

In the fall of 2009, we contacted Lynnes Welding Training regarding setting up a training program and subsequent certifications for our welding personnel. Dakota Bodies sent 30 individuals to the Fargo, ND location for 40 hrs of classroom, metallurgy, shop training, and testing and certifications in aluminum welding. The result of our decision to utilize Lynnes Welding training has allowed us to currently have greater than 90% of our welding shop certified in aluminum welding. We can provide a higher quality product and expand our product offerings to our customers.

Our overall satisfaction with Lynnes Welding Training is very high. From the communication and friendly people to work with during setting up the training, to the knowledgeable and friendly training staff, and the quality of the equipment used for the training. I would highly recommend Lynnes Welding Training to any company looking to provide their employees with more knowledge and skillsets for the job.

Sincerely,

Jody Stack
General Manager
Dakota Bodies, Inc.