As seen in the Tried & True Spring 2025 issue
Just north of Brookings, South Dakota, Buffalo Ridge Metalworks operates as a unique blend of community, craftsmanship and innovation. With a small but mighty team of seven full-time employees, this metal manufacturing business has spent the past decade creating custom solutions for a wide range of industries. Among their standout accomplishments is their invaluable contribution to Fratco’s All-in-One Water Transportation Systems.
Managed by Jason Waldner, Buffalo Ridge Metalworks is part of a close-knit family community that lives and works together. The community’s primary operations are Buffalo Ridge and a substantial pig farm, but neither business is totally isolated. Workers from both enterprises often help with projects.
“It’s really a community where we all serve each other,” Jason explains. This family-oriented dynamic mirrors Fratco’s own values, making the partnership between the two businesses a natural fit.
Jason’s journey into metalwork began at just 11 years old, helping out with odd jobs here and there. That early start sparked a lifelong passion. Today, he oversees Buffalo Ridge’s operations, utilizing advanced design tools like CAD software to develop custom solutions tailored to each customer’s unique needs.
Precision in Every Part
Turning those custom designs into reality requires close attention to detail at every stage. This care for precision guides their process. Their shop is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery that allows them to produce high-quality, custom-fabricated metal components with efficiency and accuracy.
- Laser Cutting
Their two fully automated laser cutters—a 3,000-watt and a 10,000-watt system—streamline production by handling raw materials with minimal manual input. Once loaded, the machines cut and sort each piece automatically, ensuring clean, precise results every time. - Press Brakes
To shape and form metal components, Buffalo Ridge utilizes a 150-ton manual press brake and an 80-ton robotic bending cell. The automated system uses a robotic arm to manipulate and bend parts according to exact specifications, reducing turnaround time while maintaining consistency. - Welding
For assembly, their 40-foot robotic welding table allows multiple parts to be welded simultaneously, maximizing efficiency. A 10-by-10-foot robotic welding cell further streamlines the process, flipping parts for seamless welding. Their team also performs manual welding for more intricate or custom projects, ensuring every piece meets their
high standards.
From standard manufacturing to highly custom projects, Buffalo Ridge has built parts for major names like Jack Links, Twin City Fan and Daktronics while also supporting small businesses in their local area.
We’re a small family that works together, and we try our best for the products we put out the door to meet high expectations.
Their team’s output speaks volumes. Over the past two years, Buffalo Ridge has completed an estimated 55,000 parts for various projects. Among those are 300 units for Fratco’s All-in-One Water Transportation Systems, 200 of which are already in the field.
A Partnership Forged in Innovation
Buffalo Ridge’s connection with Fratco began four years ago when Jerry Weiland approached them with a vision for what would eventually become the All-in-One Water Transportation Systems. Originally, the plan was to use plastic for the system’s components, but Jason proposed an alternative.
“Stainless steel would be easier, stronger and more efficient in the long run,” he advised Jerry. That decision set the foundation for a partnership defined by innovation and collaboration. As the project evolved, Jason and his team worked closely with Fratco to optimize the design, always prioritizing simplicity and functionality.
We’re always making changes to make it simpler for the guy that does the install work in the field.
One such improvement was redesigning the components to maximize shipping efficiency. Early iterations of the system allowed for just 10 to 15 units per truckload, but now, optimized designs fit up to 75 units, ready to be assembled on-site. The custom nature of the stainless steel control structure ensures perfect compatibility with Fratco’s dual-wall pipe, making Fratco’s All-in-One Water Transportation Systems both efficient and reliable.
The reworked shipping solution for the All-in-One Water Transportation System.
Fratco’s All-in-One Water Transportation System.
A Shared Commitment to Quality
Jason appreciates Fratco’s dedication to delivering exceptional products, a value Buffalo Ridge shares. “We’re both dedicated to the products that we put out the door,” he says.
Buffalo Ridge Metalworks exemplifies the power of collaboration, combining technical expertise with a strong sense of community to deliver high-quality results. Whether they’re crafting components for Fratco or supporting local businesses, Buffalo Ridge’s work is a testament to the impact ofinnovation and teamwork.
