Ryan baker, owner of StudeBaker Industries Ltd. Photo Angela Mouly
As of May 1, Studebaker Industries Ltd. will be located five and a half miles north of Highway 16 on Range Road 80. Having a shop location will allow the company to offer stationary services as well as continue their mobile mechanic repair for an area covering between Lloydminster, Vegreville, Wainwright, and Two Hills. The owner, Ryan Baker, has been in the industry since 2005, and with the help of his wife, Joanna, opened StudeBaker in 2011. He began with school buses and grew by fixing other buses, before expanding into trucks. Seeing the need and demographics in the area, he then purchased a service truck and has received compliments on his ability to blend servicing both the old school and modern day technology. “I definitely appreciate machinery. It’s always a challenge, but I like figuring things out and working with people,” said Baker. Baker studied Mechanics at Lakeland College and apprenticed at Minburn Motors. When it burnt down, he obtained a part-time instructing position with Lakeland College and said that it helped tremendously with his people skills. He recognized past instructor, Ken Lawrence, as a significant mentor who talked a lot about the benefits of small-town shops. “From him, I learned how community-minded this service is, and that there is a person behind every machine. With breakdowns leading to frustration, often customers need a coffee instead of a wrench. Students in the area are often looking for work, but not everyone is willing to take on young, inexperienced apprentices. StudeBaker recognizes the importance of giving back to the community, and this fuelled part of our decision to open a shop,” said Baker. Born in Vermilion and raised in the Mannville-Minburn area, Baker looks forward to continuing to serve the community and has construction plans for a new facility in Mannville within the next year. If you are seeking mechanical repair for heavy equipment, on/off road, truck transport, diesel automotive, gas industrial, or basically anything with an engine, you can call StudeBaker Industries Ltd. at 780-581-4081.