UNITY – For more than 30 years, farmers and oil companies relied on the expertise and reliability of Grant Huber of Huber Machining.
Huber sold his business in 2019 to Brent Heitt, with the condition he work alongside the young man for the next five years. On Feb. 29, Huber hung up his coveralls and welding mask for the last time.
Huber started his business in 1989 after he was intrigued by a machinist while working at the Sifto salt plant. After high school, Huber joined the Canadian Navy as a marine electrician. He wanted to transfer to the air force to be a machinist, however, it was not meant to be. Huber left the navy to attend Kelsey Institute, working towards journeyman machinist accreditation.
Huber always tried to get the job done on time for his customers over the years. With the advancements in technology, Huber found the computer to be a great tool for bookkeeping. Over the years, the equipment that Huber worked on increased in size and complexity which also needed more time to work on. That left him with fewer small jobs that needed repairs.
Over his 35 years in the shop, Huber has had some interesting and keen requests, but the most memorable repair he had was to weld a spike back onto a golf shoe.
Huber enjoyed his time working under Heitt’s Welding. Huber said Heitt was good to work alongside and was always accommodating. He also said Heitt taught him how to be a better welder over the five years.
Heitt reciprocated the feelings towards Huber.
“Grant was very knowledgeable and reliable. He knew exactly how to fix a part and would work long and hard until the job was completed,” said the new entrepreneur.
Since Heitt and his wife, Kirby, took ownership of the business, the service many who were accustomed to from Huber Machining continued. Heitt’s original shop became home to their CNC plasma table, where metal artwork and more precise metal cutting are done.
At the time of new ownership, there were two to three men in the shop, two contractors, an after-school student and a secretary on staff. Two full-time journeymen machinists were hired in the fall of 2023, working alongside the experienced Huber before his retirement.
“Grant always mentioned that the shop was much busier being able to service more customers with more staff,” said Heitt.
Heitt’s Welding Ltd. has already had some big jobs, including a bulk loading upgrade and piping to new brine wells at Compass Minerals as well as piping for a new boiler at NW Pure. Some of these larger projects can be fabricated in the shop and moved to the site for completion if needed.
Business will continue as usual for the Heitts, providing the same machining and welding services to various customers. The shop continues with machining flywheels, hydraulic cylinder repairs, welding, fabricating and steel sales. Heitt’s metal artwork includes fire pits, gates and signs, all designed and completed in the shop.
“We look forward to serving the community for years to come and wish Grant a long and happy retirement,” said both Brent and Kirby.
To see more images of the work Heitt’s Welding Ltd, check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
