KMT Waterjet - A Shape Technologies Group® Company

Landstar’s Overall M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year KMT Waterjet, a Shape Technologies Group® company in Baxter Springs, Kansas, provides its customers with the ultimate experience in ultrahigh-pressure water-cutting technology.

“The baby carrots you buy packaged in the store don’t grow that way; they are cut down from larger carrots using the technology KMT Waterjet manufactures. These machines can cut anything from produce and baked goods to industrial metals,” says Landstar Agent Mike Nelson, who runs his independent agency Nelson Logistics Management LLC from an office on-site at the Shape Technologies Group facility. “The high pressure water jets make the cuts, yet nothing gets wet,” he says.  

Waterjets are able to cut through materials because a tiny spray of water is pressurized to thousands of pounds per square inch, and pushed through a very narrow nozzle at high velocities.

KMT Waterjet specializes in manufacturing waterjet cutting technologies and components for a diverse global network of customers. The company relies exclusively on Nelson to provide the transportation solutions needed for the cutting edge products.

“When capacity is needed, I support them with rate quotes compiled using Landstar’s proprietary Pricing Tools and I secure available capacity,” explains Nelson. “Two years ago, when we made the transition to have our Landstar agency on-site, it translated to better communication between all parties and, ultimately, to a better experience for KMT Waterjet."

“We trust Mike and his wife Norma to handle any transportation needs that arise. We never have to wait for answers,” says Lori Wren, materials/purchasing director for KMT Waterjet. “They have supported our transportation logistics needs for the past seven years and have become an important part of our team.”

During a series of M.U.S.T. or Mutual Understanding of Safety Together visits at the KMT Waterjet facility in 2019, Landstar corporate team members joined Nelson with his customer for a discussion about the ongoing safety and securement practices at the Shape Technologies facility.

“Landstar came on-site for a safety discussion with our staff and to watch operations and loading procedures,” says Rod Graham, KMT Waterjet’s warehouse and logistics manager. “Our company focus is safety and the M.U.S.T. customer visits with Landstar assure us we are doing safety right.” 

“I am proud to be able to support my customers in this unique way and very honored that Shape Technologies Group – KMT Waterjet received the 2019 Overall M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award from Landstar,” says Nelson. “We have a true collaboration with our customer, and I am able to support them in ways that wouldn’t be possible without Landstar.”

The Landstar M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Awards

In 2019, 61 Landstar customers opened their doors to members of the Landstar safety team to discuss safety practices and improvements. At the end of the year, Landstar field safety managers nominated customers based on those visits to receive the M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award. Nominations outline each customer’s safety visits, accident and cargo claim rates, adoption of the Landstar safety plan and the post M.U.S.T. visit successes during a 12-month period. Landstar safety executives then evaluate the nominations to determine the award winners.

The following companies received a 2019 M.U.S.T. Customer Award:

2019 Overall M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award Winner

Shape Technologies Group - KMT Waterjet

Baxter Springs, Kansas

Landstar Agent Mike Nelson

Nelson Logistics Management - Indianapolis, Indiana

2019 M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award Recipients:

JELD-WEN Windows and Doors

Charlotte, North Carolina

Landstar Agent Hannah Hurckes

Boss Lady Logistics - Fox Lake, Illinois

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Houston, Texas

Landstar Agent LaTisha Socia

LTS Agency - Houston, Texas