U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota recently visited Mattracks — a Karlstad, Minnesota-based manufacturer of track conversion systems — to discuss the progress and current challenges facing industry leaders in this Northwest corner of the state. As many know, this northern region of Minnesota is a pocket of considerable innovation and manufacturing, housing many various manufacturers and industry leading companies like Mattracks.

During the meeting event, Klobuchar held a discussion with Mattracks founder and CEO Glen Brazier regarding such topics as new innovations within the company, the current economy, supply chains, workforce retention, industry growth, childcare and housing.

“Mattracks has weathered the storm considering the current economic climate because we take on every challenge full-bore,” says Brazier. “We’ve of course always weathered the storm because we do our part to consistently evolve with new technology, product designs and industry practices.”

Speaking of weathering the storm, the topic of increasing severe winter conditions throughout the country was discussed. Many of these storms leave travelers stranded on the side of the road in below freezing conditions with their lives in jeopardy. Brazier noted that the issue at hand is that many state patrol, fire departments and even local National Guard units have no equipment suited to make it through the miles of often 6-plus feet of snow cover standing in the way of locating the stranded individuals. Mattracks could be supplied to these entities for emergency use, saving lives.

Another topic which was discussed extensively was the funding, construction and considerable benefits of the new airport projected to be built near Karlstad. In the meeting, Brazier explained how badly the airport is needed for the area and how it will bring in an additional 100 new employees to Mattracks as well as a new research and development sector to the company. He also explained the beneficial impact it will make to the local economy and how it will not only serve as a great asset to the community of Karlstad, but to the entire region.

The senator’s ongoing relationship with Mattracks was formed many years ago after she heard the story of the company’s inception — an 11 year old boy, Matt Brazier, had created a drawing of a truck with tank tracks in place of tires, and when he showed it to his father, Glen, it inspired the creation of the original rubber track conversion system.

“I’ve used the example of the company many times and the story of the inception with Matt and his drawing,” says Klobuchar. “I recently told the story in a congressional hearing.”

Mattracks designs, builds and markets wheel-to-rubber track conversion systems for virtually any multi-axle vehicle. They manufacture over 150 different models that have sold all over the world for the past 25 years. These systems are used on ATVs, UTVs, trucks, tractors, agricultural equipment, construction equipment and military vehicles.

For more information, contact Mattracks Inc. at 218-683-9800, 877-436-7800 or 218-436-7000, visit www.mattracks.com, or email sales@mattracks.com.