SMS Equipment HET wins Canada’s top technician

At SMS Equipment, we aim to be the number one equipment and solutions provider to our customers. We are proud to announce that the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) has named SMS Equipment Advanced Certified Technician Clayton Kennon as AED’s inaugural Technician of the Year for Canada.

“The AED Foundation is excited to honor technicians, like Clayton, for their hard work and passion to the equipment industry through our Technicians of the Year Awards,” said Jason Blake, Executive Vice President and COO of The AED Foundation. “We would like to thank SMS Equipment for participating in our inaugural award, and we look forward to growing this recognition moving forward.”

“Clayton is a leader, mentor, and go-to guy for our technicians,” says Larry Gouthro, General Manager, SMS Equipment. “He takes new employees under his wing and starts them off in the right direction. He makes them feel like part of the team. We can always rely on Clayton in a tough situation or tight deadline to pull through. His dedication is contagious.”

Kennon was also nominated for his hard work and dedication that contributed to the success of his department, most significantly, the organization and planning of the parts for new builds.

“The time and effort put in by Clayton on a project building over 100 trucks increased our production time. He observed the struggles the other crews had when it came to putting kits together for the welding department, and came up with a checklist with pictures, complete with sign off, to assist with this shortfall. Without this extra effort, it would have been challenging to meet our deadlines directly following the Fort McMurray fire. Whenever there is a major technical issue, Clayton is actively involved,” said Ryan Medendorp, Superintendent of Trucks and Facilities.

The 22-year veteran equipment technician spends most of his time servicing heavy equipment between Fort McMurray, AB and northern Saskatchewan. Kennon grew up on a family farm in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, and credits the work ethic he learned from his parents to receiving this award.

“Growing up on the farm, you never quit until the job was done,” he says. “So, seeing my parents work that way, it just came naturally.”

After graduating high school in 1997, Kennon worked as an apprentice until 2000. He received his Journeyman Agriculture ticket in 2001 and went on to challenge the heavy-duty ticket in the fall of 2007 before joining SMS Equipment in December 2007. As an SMS Equipment Advanced Certified Technician, Kennon is continuously learning about the latest equipment and technologies. The courses he takes allow him to have a better understanding of the equipment he services – a vital investment in the rapidly-changing world of heavy equipment.

Kennon really enjoys the challenges of his role, trying to troubleshoot a problem and the satisfaction of seeing it fixed.
“I find it’s a lot like being a doctor,” he says. “The machine comes in broke, you figure out what’s wrong, do the repairs, and have the satisfaction of it driving away.”

When it comes to the constantly growing market for autonomous vehicles, Kennon doesn’t just use his expertise for servicing them.

“I help build them,” he says.

How SMS Equipment's service stands out

About AED

Established in 1919, Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international trade association based in Schaumburg, IL, representing over 800 construction equipment distributors, manufacturers and industry-service firms nationwide. AED members sell, service and rent equipment to such markets as heavy and light construction, mining, agriculture, forestry, aggregates, engines and industrial. Established in 1991 and directed by AED members, The AED Foundation addresses professional education and workforce development in the industry. This includes AED Accreditation of diesel-equipment technology college programs.

The AED Foundation enhances the success of member companies by encouraging continuous learning, by providing educational opportunities for today’s employees, and by improving the availability and quality of equipment industry employees in the future.