Felling Trailers has been proudly manufacturing trailers for over 45 years. Join us as we take a look back and see how much our company, along with our employees, has grown. Many of you may already know the story of how Felling Trailers started as a small fabrication shop in downtown Sauk Centre in 1974. Continuing to add to this story, we invite you to read our “Grow with Us Series – 27.” Here you will meet the people of Felling; we will share a bit about the people who have played a part in what our company is today and where we will be tomorrow. Some of the people you will meet have been with us for many years, some decades, and others are starting their careers. We would like you to meet Josh Meyer, Maintenance Technician Weekend Shift, Felling Trailers, Inc., Sauk Centre, to continue our series.
Josh Meyer
Maintenance Technician
Name: Josh Meyer
Status: 12 years
Title: Maintenance Technician
Josh joined the Felling Trailers’ team in the spring of 2010 at 15, working part-time after school and in the summers. He was a general laborer doing various things: cleaning, cutting grass in the summer, clearing snow in the winter, washing trailers and equipment, and doing some basic welding. Before working at Felling, Josh helped neighbors with farm chores along with helping his dad, who had a small welding repair shop that he ran on the side. “Working with my dad in his shop was where I was first introduced to welding and repair work,” said Josh. After graduating high school, Josh attended college in Willmar and remained working part-time with Felling Trailers.
Finding His Place
During his time attending college Josh worked as part of the Service team. The Service department is an extension of the Parts department, completing various tasks from brake replacements, installing accessories on trucks/trailers to complete trailer refurbishments. “In Service, I was able to see and learn many different things. One day we would install a 5th wheel plate in a new truck, and the next, we would work on a trailer refurb(ishment), cutting out rusted parts of an old trailer. Something different all the time. While I was part of the Service team, the reel series (utility cable reel) trailers started to take off, and we built these in the repair bays, too,” said Josh. He then joined the Finishing(Final Assembly) team on the day shift. He learned the final assembly process of well over half of the 240 plus different models that Felling manufactures, mainly working on the larger trailers, like deck-over flatbeds and semi-trailers. In finishing, assemblers are the last step in the build process of a trailer, following the assembly checklists and drawings; this is where a trailer receives the wiring, lighting, decking, hydraulics (if equipped), and any bolt-on accessories. “I worked in Finishing for about two years, then transitioned to weld production, welding trailers with Jeremy Brunko. This was the I series and E series trailers (drop deck equipment trailers) at the time,” said Josh. Josh stayed in weld production for a few years, then moved to the Maintenance team.
Building the Foundation
Each time Josh transitioned from one team to another, he gained the knowledge and experience that led him to his current role as Maintenance Technician. When asked what motivated him to make these moves, he said, “Each time I changed jobs, it was because I wanted to learn new things, to be doing something different each day. Each move came with more responsibility and, with that, better pay as well. I am the Maintenance Tech for the weekend shift (the weekend shift works Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, a 36-hour shift that pays for 40 hours). Out of all the places I have worked in the shop, this is my favorite so far. Each day is different, from maintaining/fixing machines and equipment in the shop and yard, like forklifts and trucks, to building repairs. Plus, I get to be involved with all the new projects, new buildings, and any changes when equipment or jigs get moved in the shop.”
When asked why Josh chose Felling Trailers to be where he worked, he said, “From the start, the Fellings have always treated me right and been fair—always been flexible with schedule changes and working hours that work for me. Nice that there are 3-shifts (day shift, night shift, and weekend). It gives you options. I also enjoy working with the guys on the Maintenance team. We all work together to get the job done and always help each other out when needed.”
Since joining the Felling Trailers team 12 years ago, Josh has seen and been a part of the many changes at Felling.
“From additions to buildings, new buildings have gone up, and others have been moved to different spots on the Felling property. I have also seen a lot of growth and change in the process by which things are done. We are always trying to improve processes to make things easier and more efficient,” said Josh.
With plans for continued growth and expansion, people like Josh help make things come together. We are glad to have Josh as part of our team. Thank you, Josh!
Learn more about Joining the Felling Trailers Team!
Are you interested in becoming part of the Felling Team? Learn more about a career at Felling Trailers and grow with us!
This is the twenty-fourth feature in our “Grow with Us” series. Read the other stories about Chris Senger, Senior Material handler, Ron Funk, Machinist, Johnny Woodman, Lead Welder, Lloyd Shoutz, Maintenance Technician, Warren Weber, Product Manager, Scott Brown, Parts & Service Supervisor, Jim Robischion, Accounting Coordinator, Wade Skillings, Lead Machine Operator, Jacob Meyer, Inside Trailer Sales, Bob Vangstad, (retired) Painter, Chad Steinhofer, Lead Welder, Benji Hudalla, Final Inspector, Nathan Uphus, Sales, Sheri Leonard, Human Resource & Safety Coordinator, Greg Waletzko, (retired)Quality Assurance Manager at Felling Trailers, and Kristie Moritz, Scheduling Coordinator.
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