Veteran Feature: Jayar Kindsvogel, Owner, Center Machine Inc.

A: Center Machine Inc. was founded in 1985. We are a metal fabrication welding shop. We support the general public, farmers, coal mines, power plants, and government projects around the State of North Dakota. We can fabricate one-off items or production parts. CMI has a welding service truck to perform repairs onsite. One other item that sets us apart from some other shops is we have what’s called line boring equipment. This equipment is in a trailer for the portable machining capabilities onsite or in our shop. Line boring is where we take a worn-out hole on say a loader arm where the bucket attaches, we overbore the hole, weld it up, and bore it out to fit the factory bushings or pins. This saves the owners possibly thousands of dollars.

Q: What does a normal day on the job look like for you?

A: This is another tough question, there is no normal day when you own and operate a business. Generally, my day consists of helping customers, keeping the employees on task, and ensuring they know what the customers want to be repaired or fabricated. I also order parts and materials, look at incoming jobs, and bid jobs as necessary. I also rush parts to projects when on a time constraint. And I inspect finished products to ensure they’re done to the best of our ability and the customer’s liking.

Q: How did your family react when you told them you were pursuing service?

A: My family was excited but my mom was a little scared.

Q: What do you remember about your first day of business?

A: I was working as the shop manager prior to buying the business in October of 2022. Prior to ownership, I was given the authority to take the reins and kind of run the business to a certain degree. So the first day of ownership was the same as the days prior, except now I had to make sure we could pay the bills. And all the responsibility falls on myself to ensure every one of my employees is able to put groceries on the table.

Q: Has your service experience changed your business mindset?

A: I feel my military experience has set me up to run a business. The training I have received in the US Air Force has set me up for success in the business world.

Q: Have you found any specific resources or support networks that have been instrumental in your entrepreneurial journey as a veteran?

A: I have to give a huge shoutout to the North Dakota APEX Accelerator Team. They have helped me the whole way in writing a business plan to becoming SBA certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. And working on government contracts. They have been a great team to work with and I continue to work with them.

Q: Who are your biggest mentors?

A: My mother Sheryl Kindsvogel taught me to never give up no matter how hard it gets and to keep fighting!

Also, my grandfathers, Ernie Seeman and Richard Muth, taught me that a hard day’s work is the best medicine.

Q: What advice do you have for others considering enlisting?

A: Just do it, if you have an idea to grow your business and make it better for your employees do it! Your employees will give back to you if you take care of them.

Q: What advice do you have for other businesses out there?

A: Lock in the job you want, and leave your home state. See the world, have fun.

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