Core Values

RPM was founded on four basic principles: Safety, Quality, Production, and Profit. We embrace these core values in our employees, workplace culture, and customer relationships.

Safety

“Safety is our number one priority. There is no job we have ever done nor will we ever do that is worth someone getting hurt over. Quite frankly, as far as we are concerned, that job does not exist”

-Robert P Mudge President and Founder

Quality – “The best is barely good enough” RPM is focused on producing the best solution / product at the most cost-effective price for the customer

Production – RPM’s Team utilizes specialized equipment, automation & controls along with a professional work ethic

Profit – When the first three values of Safety, Quality, and Production are embraced, a reasonable profit follows

Mission

RPM & Associates provides the highest-quality manufactured solutions to valued power, mining, and other diverse customers, while striving to help them reduce their operational life-cycle costs. RPM’s most important resource, our innovative employees, have the opportunity for both personal and professional growth while ensuring RPM remains a world-class problem solver! For RPM, “Being the Best is Barely Good Enough!”

Company Timeline

[icon_timeline][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 1982″]RPM & Associates, Inc. is founded[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”February 1986″]Purchased First Automated Welding System[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”October 1986″]Welded First Pulverizer Roll[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”January 1988″]Manufactured First Portable Automated Welding System[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”February 1988″]Welded First Coal Pulverizer Table On-site[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”October 1992″]Began Welding Coal Transport Pipe Elbows and Fittings[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”January 1996″]Manufactured Automated Welding System to Manufacture Overlay Plate[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 1996″]RPM Solutions, Inc. was spun off to continue focus on Flue Gas Desulphurization Systems[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”March 2001″]Teamed with SD School of Mines &Technology to investigate Laser Deposition Technology[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”June 2002″]Moved into New 35,000 SQ FT Facility[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”August 2005″]Began Reverse Engineering & Rebuilding Pulverizer Journal Assemblies[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”March 2011″]Purchased a new 28,000lb capacity CNC Vertical Turret Lathe[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”December 2011″]Started 15,000 SQ FT Building Expansion[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”January 2013 “]RPM Innovations, Inc. was spun off to continue development of Laser Deposition Technology[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”March 2015″]Purchased a new 5 Axis High-Definition CNC Plasma Cutting System[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 2020″]RPM’s ownership group expanded with the addition of 3 Employees[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 2020″]Purchased a new 127” Long X 30” X 6000lb Capacity CNC Turning Center[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”December 2020″]Installed new Automated Plate Welding System featuring Precision Integrated Controls for Position, Welding & Cooling[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”March 2021”]Introduced RPM’s WEARx CC – Overlay Plate[/icon_timeline_item][/icon_timeline]

RPM Thinks Green

Fume Generation

RPM’s primary focus is always on Safety. Hardface Welding Practices produce fumes containing hexavalent chromium. Regardless of whether RPM is welding at a customers site or in RPM’s facility, generated weld fume is captured by a collection and filtration system. The captured dust is then treated, thus converting the hexavalent chrome to a stable valence state. The converted dust is then properly disposed of in the local landfill or recycled, versus disposing at a hazardous waste facility.

Strategic Metal Conservation

RPM understands that Chromium is a National Strategic Metal that must be conserved, as US Chromium reserves are only 10-12% of annual consumption. The United States imports the remaining 88-90% from countries that are not political friends. RPM’s Steel Core Pulverizer Rolls requires less chrome to produce and rebuild. RPM’s engineered overlay provides extended wear life versus other types of rolls produced, resulting in less chrome emitted into customers combustion gases.

Read More

In The Community

Free Wheelchair Mission

RPM & Associates teamed up with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to design, test, and manufacture a wheelchair durability testing track for the Free Wheelchair Mission. The Free Wheelchair Mission is a humanitarian, faith-based nonprofit organization that designs and manufactures cost-efficient, durable wheelchairs for developing countries around the world. Data acquired since 2019 has resulted in design changes that have increased the expected life of the wheelchair by over 20 times, with minimal additional cost. To view a video of the testing track in action Click Here.

To learn more: www.freewheelchairmission.org

World Vision

RPM & Associates founders Rob & Deb Mudge are longtime supporters of World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization helping children, families, and their communities overcome poverty and injustice.

To learn more: www.worldvision.org