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 – 28.” 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. To continue our series, we would like you to meet Tim Bell, Senior Machine Operator Felling Trailers, Inc., Sauk Centre.
Meet Tim Bell
Senior Machine Operator
Name: Tim Bell
Status: 6 years
Title: Senior Machine Operator
Tim joined the Felling Trailers’ team in the winter of 2016 and celebrated six years with the company this past December. Tim was hired as a Senior Machine Operator on the Fabrication team’s weekend shift as a press brake operator. Felling Trailers Sauk Centre location offers three shift options to work with an employee’s lifestyle, day shift (6:00 am- 4:30 pm), night shift (4:30 pm – 3:00 am), and weekend shift (Fri/Sat/Sun 6:00 am- 6:30 pm). Before his time with Felling, Tim worked in the home construction industry for many years. Tim ran a diversified company that handled general construction, remodeling, tiling, deck building, and more. He also worked with cities and counties to obtain necessary permits. Stepping away from the home construction business, Tim then worked in the cabinetry business in a supervisory role for several years.
Growing, Expanding, Innovating
Tim joined Felling’s Fabrication team at an exciting time. Shortly after starting, the company broke ground on its new Fabrication Center. The new building was designed to streamline production processes and increase manufacturing efficiencies by bringing existing fabricating machines and new ones under one roof. This included the company’s three press brakes: SaFan 110-ton electric press brake, Cincinnati CB-11 350-ton press brake, Accupress Edge 250-ton press brake, Marvel 2150 Band Saw, Hyd-Mech S23A horizontal band saw, Mitsubishi Fiber laser, lathe, and mill. The layout design of the Fabrication Center was based on the equipment used to complete the processing of fabricated parts. The key goals for the Fab Center were to: reduce the number of times material was being handled, increase worker safety, and work environment comfort.
“I like that Felling Trailers is always changing, expanding, putting money back into the business and employees. I feel I am my own boss and like the challenges I face daily.”
– Tim Bell
Cross-Training
“When I was hired, I was trained on the band saws, brakes, and laser. My main position was and still is on the brakes,” said Tim. The bulk of trailer parts are produced in the Fabrication Center process through the press brake at one stage or another. As a press brake operator, Tim is responsible for forming the raw steel components to the part specifications needed for the construction of a trailer. The operator must review their job tickets and prioritize them to maximize productivity and complete parts checks to assure adherence to quality standards, making necessary adjustments as needed.
When asked why Tim chose Felling to be where he worked, he said, “I like that Felling Trailers is always changing, expanding, putting money back into the business and employees. I feel I am my own boss and like the challenges I face daily.” We are glad to have Tim as part of our team. Thank you, Tim!
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-eighth feature in our “Grow with Us” series. Read the other stories about Juan Juarez, Lead Painter, Robby Horn, Lead Welder Night Shift, Josh Meyer, Maintenance Technician, 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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