FS3 Wants to be Your Utilities Materials Provider
MMUA is pleased to present a new series: “Vendor Spotlight.” Our associate members are crucial partners in delivering reliably excellent utility services to Minnesotans. This series will provide an opportunity to get to know them a little better, highlighting the ways they support MMUA and municipal utilities around the state.1
FS3
FS3 is a small but mighty company that has been based out of Annandale, Minnesota since 2003. The team of 10 provides utility customers with underground materials and supplies. In recent years they have expanded their offerings to include HDD tooling, reel trailers, truck-mount reel handling equipment, restoration equipment, and fiber optic splicing trailers. FS3 personnel offer on-site demonstrations and visits to help address the specific needs of utilities.
An experienced firm with wide reach
FS3's team of employees have more than 100 years of experience in the utility business, and they enjoy serving customers in creative ways. “I started in 2010 and work with MMUA, telcos, underground contractors, and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA),” says Brent Baker, Vice President and part-owner for FS3. “Our goal at FS3 is to build good relationships and provide great service to our customers.”
FS3 does this by being a resource for the companies and people that it serves. “We always try to get you an answer,” says Baker. “It might not always be the answer you want, but we strive to be honest about what we can do for you in a timely manner.”
Part of FS3’s efforts to guide their customers is their product videos that they have created. For instance, the “Utility Reel Trailer Compilation” takes prospective customers through the different utility reel trailers that FS3 offers, so that customers can find the right size tool for the job.
FS3 carries products from many trusted manufacturers including Erico, Krylon, Radio Detection, and Rust-Oleum. FS3 is also willing to source new products for their customers. “Our product lines have grown over time,” says Baker. “Directional drill components, tooling that goes on drills, restoration equipment—we offer a lot of different products.”
Supply chain issues are resolving
Since the pandemic, supply chain concerns have dogged utilities. Baker sees relief coming down the pike from FS3's point of view. “Everyone did panic buying a couple of years ago…they were buying and sitting on their materials. By the end of the year, I see this situation getting back to normal for our company.”
Giving back to the community is in FS3's DNA
FS3 enjoys giving back to their community. In June, FS3 hosted its 12th annual “Going to the Dogs” Charity Golf Scramble. FS3 matches and donates all proceeds from the event to the Tri-County Humane Society, Crossroads Animal Shelter, and Ruff Start Rescue. FS3's website features a photo of Tiny the dog, who doubles as the team's HR chief.
FS3 has also been a great supporter of MMUA over the years. You will find them at MMUA events and in ads in The Resource. In 2024 the firm is one of three annual gold sponsors, helping to bring extra value to MMUA members.
Looking ahead
Baker sees continued growth for the company and for the customers that they serve. “Fiber in the home just continues to expand; all of the people who are working at home and starting businesses, it will be busy. We sell to telcos and contractors as well as municipal utilities.”
If you are an underground utility or are thinking of moving your utilities underground, FS3 likely has a product for you.
- ^ Spotlighted companies are generally chosen from those who support MMUA at the gold and silver sponsorship levels as a way of saying thank you for their commitment to Minnesota’s municipal utilities. Being featured in a spotlight story does not indicate MMUA endorsement of any company’s products or services.