FACES OF KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY - TRENT NORTON

FACES OF KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY

Third-generation technician loves the feeling that comes with resolving issues and getting customers back into production

Trent Norton, Field Service Technician

Trent Norton joked that he’s not sure if being from a family of mechanics is a blessing or a curse. “It’s definitely in the blood,” he said with a laugh. “Both my grandpas and my dad were mechanics. From an early age I knew what I wanted to do.”

Norton remembered having his own set of tools at a very young age. They were kept in a special drawer in his dad’s toolbox.

“I had motorcycles when I was little and working on the bikes were my first experiences at repairing and servicing pieces of machinery,” Norton recalled. “Next came cars, then heavy equipment. I admit that I was intimidated by the big machines at first, but once I got into it, I learned to love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else now.”

Norton joined Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc.’s Fort Worth, Texas branch as a field service technician about five years ago, after working for another heavy equipment distributor. His supervisor at that company left to work for Kirby-Smith and ended up recruiting Norton to join him.

“He said the culture was amazing, and Kirby-Smith got great support from its manufacturers with training,” Norton said. “Kirby-Smith definitely lives up to its hype. They help with specialty tooling and other items needed to ensure we are able to minimize downtime. Everyone is focused on customer service. As techs, we talk to each other quite a lot about what we see in the field and how we can apply what we have learned from unique situations.”

Trent Norton, field service technician, looks up codes before beginning work on a dozer. “It’s a great feeling to get a customer up and going when their machine is down,” Norton emphasized. “It’s instant gratification when they move the machine and start producing again. Some of them treat you like you’re a hero, but it’s just a matter of doing the job.”

Instant gratification

Norton emphasized that it’s satisfying knowing that he’s helping customers. “It’s a great feeling to get a customer up and going when their machine is down. It’s instant gratification when they move the machine and start producing again. Some of them treat you like you’re a hero, but it’s just a matter of doing the job.”

He said those situations create long-lasting relationships. “You get to know customers well, and that’s another thing I really enjoy about being a service technician. I also like that no two days are ever the same, and that there is always something new to learn. It’s just a great career, and I often encourage people to consider it for themselves.”

Norton also appreciates the relationships he’s built at Kirby-Smith. “It’s like a big family. Everyone gets along really well, and they understand the value of spending time with your own family, so there is no big hassle if you need to be out for a bit to take care of something, or if it’s vacation time.”

Trent Norton and his wife enjoy spending time in the mountains of Colorado, and he still likes to work on his trucks. They have a 2-year-old son with his own drawer in Dad’s toolbox.

“There may be another generation of mechanics coming in a few years!” Norton exclaimed. ■