Betting on America: The WorkSaver Story with Tim Burenga
By The Germinate Podcast | Hosted by Joe Sampson
In an era when manufacturing seems destined for overseas factories and flashy automation headlines, Tim Burenga offers a different vision—one grounded in family legacy, community roots, and a deep commitment to American-made excellence. On a recent episode of The Germinate Podcast, we sat down with Tim, the President of WorkSaver, Inc., for a candid conversation on building a business with staying power.
Rooted in Resilience
WorkSaver was born out of necessity in 1980, when Tim’s father purchased the remnants of a struggling company and turned it into a beacon of innovation and agility. As Tim says, “We used to make over 40,000 three-point drawbars—until cheaper imports forced us to pivot.” That pivot led to a focus on retail attachments, then OEM manufacturing with big names like Woods Equipment and John Deere’s Frontier brand.
Lessons in Growth and Cash Flow
WorkSaver’s transformation came with hard-earned lessons. Tim recalls a pivotal moment in 2004 when new OEM contracts doubled their volume—but raw material prices simultaneously skyrocketed. “It taught me everything about cash flow. Growth without control is dangerous,” he said. Now, the company maintains a careful balance: no single customer contributes more than 25% of revenue, and they invest in new equipment and facilities before bottlenecks appear.
Automation with a Human Touch
Today, WorkSaver runs eight robotic welding arms and utilizes cutting-edge automation to speed up production. But Tim is quick to point out that robots can’t replace people. “The service you get from a smiling face—there’s no machine that replicates that.” That belief has led to hands-on leadership—Tim has held nearly every role in the factory—and a powerful employee culture.
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
To solve the skilled labor shortage, WorkSaver helped create a regional training center in Southern Illinois that pulls juniors and seniors from 11 districts into hands-on technical education. The company sponsors the welding program and hires interns during the summer. “We don’t just want to complain about labor—we’re doing something about it,” Tim said.
Innovation Through Community
A past president and current treasurer of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA), Tim champions the role of peer-to-peer connection. “FEMA isn’t just networking. It’s where vertical tillage was born—in the lobby of a convention hotel.” This year, FEMA celebrates its 75th anniversary in Las Vegas, and WorkSaver—one of two original member companies still active—will be center stage.
Faith, Family, and Farming
The conversation took a heartfelt turn as Tim discussed the return of faith and values in business leadership. “You can’t control everything. But you can lead with integrity, serve your people, and keep doing the right thing,” he shared. He credits his strong team, loving family, and belief in a higher purpose as the cornerstones of his success.
A Simple Truth: “I’m Betting on America”
Despite economic uncertainty, global competition, and political tension, Tim’s optimism is unwavering. “We’re going to build smarter factories. We’re going to make more here. And we’re going to win.” That spirit—humble yet bold—is what makes the WorkSaver story not just a success, but a model for manufacturing’s future.
If you’re inspired by Tim’s story, check out WorkSaver’s full catalog of over 500 attachments for tractors, skid steers, and mini walk-behinds at WorkSaver.com.
Catch the full interview on The Germinate Podcast wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!
