When Kyle Carlson first came across an L&M Radiator job posting in a newspaper back in November 2002, he couldn’t have predicted he was beginning a career that would span more than two decades. At the time, he was working in Shakopee, Minnesota–218 miles from the L&M headquarters in Hibbing, Minnesota–as the tech industry faced significant downsizing.
“I actually found L&M’s ad in the newspaper looking for drafter designers,” said Carlson. “So, I called them up and the rest is history.”
For Carlson, the move wasn’t just about finding stable work. It was about coming home. Originally from Grand Rapids, Carlson welcomed the opportunity to return to northern Minnesota and build a career close to his roots.
Today, Carlson serves as drafting supervisor, overseeing the flow of projects through L&M’s design department. His role is equal parts organization, leadership, and technical expertise.
“A day-to-day look at what I do is I organize all of our different projects,” said Carlson. “New projects, change notices, anything coming off the shop floor, and I distribute it to our drafter designers based on priority and timelines.”
Once projects move through customer service and engineering, Carlson’s team takes over, transforming concepts into detailed 3D CAD models and production-ready drawing sets. From there, the designs head to the shop floor for assembly.
It’s no small task to hold the hand between concepts and tangible solutions. Carlson and his team’s work is just that: the model that translates an idea into a product.
The Last 20 Years of Drafting
Over the years, Carlson’s responsibilities have evolved. He started as a drafter, where he spent more than 20 years honing his skills in 3D modeling and print design before stepping fully into a leadership role.
“When I started, L&M was still in our infancy when it comes to 3D modeling,” said Carlson. “Now, it’s crazy to think of a world where we didn’t have the tools that we have today.”
Over the years, he’s contributed to countless projects. One that stands out is the company’s first “show cube,” a unique design that pushed the team into new territory.
“It was something totally different that we had never worked on before,” Carlson says. “It turned into a staple product. Now we have multiple variations, and it’s really fun to watch how it’s evolved.”
Despite the complexity of the work, Carlson says the most rewarding part of his job comes after the design is complete, when the product is in the field doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
“A lot of this equipment we design, we never actually get to see,” said Carlson. “So, when we get that confirmation back from a customer that it works, and they’re up and running—that’s the biggest reward. It means we communicated effectively and delivered what they needed.”
Carlson attributes his success to a strong attention to detail, technical knowledge, and a commitment to continuous learning. Working for a cutting-edge company in an ever-evolving technical landscape means staying current is essential.
Looking ahead, Carlson is especially excited about emerging technologies, particularly battery-powered and electric cooling systems, which are already shaping new projects at L&M.
“If you’re not willing to stay on top of the technology, it’s going to move past you,” said Carlson. “You have to want to learn and keep improving.”
That mindset extends to how he leads his team. Having learned from experienced colleagues early in his career, Carlson now sees himself as carrying that legacy forward.
“The old timers had a very strong work ethic,” said Carlson. “You had to work hard or you weren’t going to make it. Now that I’m the ‘old timer,’ I try to pass that along.”
Though he has high standards, Carlson’s main focus is fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for his team.
“I really encourage people to ask questions and work together,” said Carlson. “Sometimes it just takes another set of eyes. We’re all working toward the same goal.”
He emphasizes that even in a role that requires focused, individual work, connection matters.
“We’re not robots,” said Carlson. “I encourage the team to take breaks, move around, and talk to people. It makes for a healthier work environment and a better team.”
Outside of work, Carlson enjoys spending time on the golf course, often with coworkers, family, and longtime friends. He also keeps up traditions like an annual golf trip that’s been going strong since 2006, along with hunting and fishing trips, including ice fishing excursions to Lake of the Woods.
For those considering a career in drafting at L&M, Carlson offers simple but powerful advice: be curious, be detail-oriented, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
“Attention to detail, willingness to learn, and the ability to work as part of a group—that’s what makes someone successful here,” said Carlson. “And you have to take pride in doing a good job.”
After more than 20 years, that pride still motivates Carlson every day.
L&M Radiator: Experience the MESABI Difference
To learn more about a career at L&M Radiator, click here.
To read more articles similar to this one, visit the blog on www.mesabi.com.