Meet Trudy Draeger: Helping Engineers Turn Big Ideas into Practical Stainless-Steel Solutions
At Kusel Equipment, our success depends on team members who combine deep product knowledge with a genuine commitment to customer success. Trudy Draeger, our Inside Sales Manager, exemplifies this approach. Since 2007, she’s been the bridge between complex engineering requirements and practical, cost-effective solutions—helping customers get exactly what they need without unnecessary complications.
From Inside Sales to Subject Matter Expert
Born and raised in Watertown, Wisconsin, Trudy lives just minutes from Kusel’s facility—a proximity that reflects her deep connection to the company. She began her career in inside sales, mastering Kusel’s product line from the smallest fitting to the largest custom assembly. Today, as Inside Sales Manager, she partners directly with engineers and designers on specifications while overseeing the inside sales team.
“After this many years, I know what we can and can’t do,” Trudy explains. Despite having no formal engineering background, she’s developed an intuitive understanding of Kusel’s capabilities and limitations—knowledge that proves invaluable when projects push beyond typical specifications.
Guiding Customers to Smart Solutions
Trudy’s approach is straightforward: help customers find the best solution, not the most expensive one. When designs come in that could be optimized to use already available parts and configurations, she’s quick to suggest alternatives.
“If somebody’s designing something that can be simplified by using our standard Kusel parts, I can tell them, ‘Hey, if you do it this way, you’ll be able to save money, and save time,'” she says. “Of course, we are also able to create custom solutions that are up to any challenge – so if we need to go in that direction, I can help the engineers make those decisions based on my experience and knowledge of our entire product line and capabilities.”
Her expertise shines in complex custom equipment. One project required matching another manufacturer’s custom specifications—a project that demanded extensive teamwork, organization and creative problem-solving. “It’s gratifying to see those bid requests come through work to completion, whether it’s three months or six months or maybe even a year down the road.”
Life Beyond Stainless Steel
When she’s not helping engineers optimize their designs, Trudy channels her problem-solving skills into personal projects. Eight years ago, she purchased a 1960s ranch home in Watertown that’s become an ongoing renovation project. She’s installed flooring, hung doors, and tackled trim work—though she knows when to call in professionals.
“I know what I can do and I know what I can’t do,” she laughs. “I had my bathroom replaced, and I wasn’t going to tackle that because it was a whole gut job. You can only live without a bathroom for so long.”
The 1,200-square-foot home is shared with two English Springer Spaniels—Louie and Radar—and two rescue cats, Comet and Oz. She’s also pursuing creative outlets through pottery classes with an ambitious goal: “I want to get rid of my store-bought dishes and throw my own plates and bowls.” Photography has become another passion, with her camera accompanying her on hikes with the dogs.
Committed to Customer Success and Company Culture
For Trudy, Kusel’s appeal goes beyond the short commute. “It’s a small company. It’s a nice, family-oriented company. You’re not just another number,” she reflects. This culture directly influences how she approaches every customer interaction—focusing on long-term relationships and practical solutions rather than quick sales.
“That’s the biggest positive about working here,” she says. “That, and working with the customers. It’s just satisfying.”
We’re proud to have Trudy as part of the Kusel team. Her combination of product expertise, practical wisdom, and genuine care for customer success makes her an invaluable resource for engineers and designers seeking stainless steel solutions.