Manager, Service Parts, Link-Belt
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Photo by Mick Jeffries
According to Vi Brine, her work with Link-Belt Construction is in her blood. She has worked in crane construction since 1974, starting out in northern Minnesota, then moving to Texas for a few years, then back to Link-Belt. Headquartered in Lexington, Link-Belt is a leader in the design, manufacture and sales of telescopic and lattice boom cranes, and Brine is proud of the modern facility, having watched the company evolve over the years.
“It’s a very good company with interesting work, always evolving with technology developments,” Brine said. “When I started, all the work was mechanical. Then it became hydraulic, and now it’s all computerized.”
She sees the industry as becoming more sophisticated all the time.
“It’s challenging to stay on top of all the changes, but it’s also fun and necessary if we’re to be competitive,” she said.
Brine enjoys helping customers and getting parts to distributors on a timely basis.
“I rely heavily on our vendors, and I hate it when I’m not able to deliver the parts I’ve promised on time,” she said.
Acknowledging that the industry is heavily male-dominated, Brine said there are many opportunities in the industry for women today, and she’s proud that she was the first female parts manager at Link-Belt. She’s held nine different positions in the company, most of which centered around the parts department, and attributes her success to hard work and a willingness to push for more challenging positions.
“Even though I’m a strong, tough businessperson on the outside, I’m a marshmallow inside,” she said with a laugh.
Brine said she admires the management of Link-Belt and she believes its current president, Chuck Martz, has done a great of job growing the company. With major expansion over the past 10 years, as well as its emphasis on continuous improvement, Link-Belt has emerged as the most modern crane facility in North America. Brine also cites a previous boss, John Toher, as one of her strongest mentors. Toher was a good listener, she said, and his advice and encouragement were very helpful in the early days of her employment at Link-Belt.
“He always believed in me,” she said.
When not working, Brine enjoys traveling and sightseeing with her husband. Cumberland Falls and local wineries such as Jean Farris and Acres of Land are among her favorite spots.