The Remote Ops Playbook
How to Run Heavy Construction from 2,000 Miles Away

In this episode, Roggen Frick, Founder of Bear Iron Works, challenges the "Owner Operator" myth that you must be on-site to make money. He reveals the "Lean Management" systems he uses to run a heavy manufacturing plant in Colorado from his home in South Carolina. You’ll discover the math behind Rent vs. Buy for heavy iron, how to turn soil disposal costs into profit centers, and how to build a business that runs on data, not physical presence.

Spotify

Beyond the Bid | Practical AI for Builders

Podcast · GO First · Most businesses don't fail because of bad people—they fail because of bad systems. Beyond the Bid is for business owners trapped by their own operations. Working 70-hr weeks? Competing on price? Margins shrinking? We share the stories & systems that change everything. Each episode delivers: 🎇 Proven frameworks from businesses that scaled without the owner 🎇 Free Value Vault tools (calculators, templates, SOPs) 🎇 Practical AI that saves 10+ hours weekly Real stories, zero

36:16

YouTube

The Remote Ops Playbook | How to Run Jobs From 2,000 Miles Away

If you think you need to be the first one on the job site and the last one to leave just to protect your margins, you are believing a lie that keeps you trapped. In this episode, I sit down with Roggen Frick, who runs a heavy steel manufacturing plant in Colorado... while living full-time in South Carolina. He reveals the exact "Remote Ops" ERP system that replaced his gut feeling with hard data, allowing him to spot production errors and protect profit without stepping foot on the floor. * Gu

36:23

Tella

The Remote Ops Playbook | How to Run Heavy Construction from 2,000 Miles Away — Tella

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Show Notes
  • Guest: Roggen Frick, Founder at Bear Iron Works
  • Credentials: Construction Management Expert, Lean Manufacturing Specialist, Remote Ops Architect
  • Featured Methodology: The Remote Operations Framework & Lean Dirt Math
  • Guest Resource: Rock Screening ROI Calculator & Product Guide - mentioned at 35:00
  • Special Offers: Listener-exclusive discount on Bear Iron Works products
  • Episode Duration: 45:00
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Episode Overview
In this episode, Roggen Frick, Founder of Bear Iron Works, challenges the "Owner Operator" myth that you must be on-site to make money. He reveals the "Lean Management" systems he uses to run a heavy manufacturing plant in Colorado from his home in South Carolina. You’ll discover the math behind Rent vs. Buy for heavy iron, how to turn soil disposal costs into profit centers, and how to build a business that runs on data, not physical presence.
Explore the key discussions and insights from this episode, featuring expert Roggen Frick:
The Remote Framework
00:00 Learn how to effectively manage heavy operations from a distance, by prioritizing data and streamlined processes over physical presence.
The "Lean" Pivot
04:15 Discover how manufacturing efficiency principles can be applied to construction sites to reduce waste and accelerate project timelines.
The Dirt Math
12:30 Understand the hidden costs of soil disposal and calculate the precise ROI of screening materials on-site versus off-site removal.
ERP Command Center
22:45 Transition from traditional whiteboard planning to advanced digital dashboards, gaining real-time visibility into field operations with tools like Procore.
Rent vs. Buy Formula
35:00 Get the specific financial framework to determine when equipment rental becomes a liability and when purchasing assets is the smarter investment.
Future Proofing
42:00 A look into how AI agents and autonomous systems are poised to revolutionize heavy civil construction over the next five years.
LEAD MAGNET
Master Your Groundworks with the Soil Classification Guide
Bad soil kills projects before the foundation is poured. Roggen is sharing his internal guide on soil analysis and structural engineering to help you avoid costly rework and foundation failures. Plus, get 10% off all Bear Iron Works products with code GOFIRST10.
Mentioned at 26:18 in the episode.

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TESTIMONIALS
"If you don't have good people and you don't have experience, running a remote operation like this isn't possible. I have done every single thing in this company myself... so I can just pick up a phone and walk somebody through it."
— Roggen Frick
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