MINNESOTA — Facing frozen ground and tight deadlines, DW Companies, a growing contractor in the Twin Cities metro area, turned a potential setback into an opportunity for growth thanks to a strong partnership with RDO Equipment Co.
On a bitterly cold morning, DW Companies President Steve Strandlund Jr. and Fleet Manager Dan Lasse faced downtime when their primary John Deere excavator went down for maintenance. With grading work for a new gas station and convenience store project on the line, they needed immediate solutions. That’s when they called on RDO — their trusted partner for rental construction equipment and advanced grade control technology.
“We rented John Deere’s 950 dozer with SmartGrade first to test it out when our older machine was down,” said Lasse. “It helped us increase production hours to achieve accurate grades in less time, so we decided to purchase it. Rental gave us the flexibility to scale up without slowing down.”
DW Companies strategically rents equipment to match each project’s demands. By integrating John Deere’s SmartGrade technology, operators are able to move more material with greater accuracy and efficiency. What started as a rental relationship quickly evolved into a comprehensive equipment partnership with RDO, which now provides field support, training, and integrated technology services.
“Our tag line is doing dirt work better, and we feel that RDO parallels our values of doing what we say and keeping projects on budget and schedule,” said Kayti Bjorklund-Strandlund, DW’s co-founder and culture lead. “We’ve developed a relationship with RDO and John Deere that’s a true partnership, where we can trust that they will provide effective service to keep our machines running.”
DW Companies operates a diverse fleet of heavy equipment, which can make precision grading and monitoring a challenge. To address this, RDO helped integrate Topcon Positioning Systems across their operations. The combination of Topcon base and rover setups allows Strandlund Jr. and Lasse to track grade accuracy in real time — even through icy conditions and below-freezing temperatures.
“Completing grade work during colder temperatures is tough on both machines and operators,” Lasse explained. “Topcon helps us stay accurate and efficient.”
RDO’s Account Manager Shaun Joy and Field Technician Dylan Bogdan work hand-in-hand with DW to maintain uptime. They provide mock job site training, remote support, and proactive maintenance, ensuring every operator is confident and every machine is ready.
“When I call RDO, they work with their network to get what we need to keep our crews working,” said Strandlund Jr. “Other dealers might forget about you once you drive off the lot; not RDO.”
Founded in 2020, DW Companies began with just one truck and a shared vision — to build a business focused on people, relationships, and reliability. In just a few years, the company has become a respected force in Minnesota’s construction scene, known for tackling complex dirt work with precision and purpose.
“If you have the right people and mindset, then challenging sites become our favorite,” Strandlund Jr. said. “When we started working with RDO, we found a company that will be that one point of contact to deliver the equipment, technology, and responsive field support.”
DW’s values of growth through people resonate in their choice of partners. The company collaborates with like-minded clients such as Kwik Trip, another family-owned business with a long-term, community-focused approach.
“At the end of the day, we’re a company focused on developing our people,” Strandlund Jr. said. “We do business with partners who believe in that too.”
RDO’s ongoing commitment to reliable service, equipment uptime, and technology integration has allowed DW to expand without sacrificing quality. Whether it’s solving a DEF sensor issue remotely, deploying grade control solutions, or surveying job sites, RDO continues to play a key role in keeping DW’s operations seamless.
“We always have about five job sites working around the Twin Cities,” Strandlund Jr. said. “And with RDO, we know we can keep moving forward.”
The collaboration between DW Companies and RDO highlights a broader trend across the Midwest — where contractors increasingly rely on equipment technology partnerships to combat weather challenges, labor shortages, and project complexity. Integrated machine control systems like John Deere SmartGrade and Topcon GPS not only boost precision but also reduce operator fatigue and rework costs.
By embracing these tools and focusing on employee training, DW Companies demonstrates how smaller, growth-oriented contractors can compete with larger firms through smart investments in technology and trusted partnerships. Their success underscores how digital transformation in heavy construction is reshaping efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration across every job site.
Originally reported by Construction Equipment Guide.
