“Grow With Us Series”
As we are turning the corner towards 45 years in building trailers, we look back and see how much our company, along with our employees have 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. But, to add to this story, we would like to invite you to read our “Grow with Us Series.” Here you will meet the people of Felling, we will share a bit about the people that 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 then others may just be starting their careers with us.
Name: Greg Waletzko Status: 5 Months Title: Quality Assurance Manager “Employees are valued for the skills they bring to their jobs, making Felling Trailers a company of choice.”
Name: Brian Lawver Status: 6 Years Title: Weld Supervisor “There has been a huge amount of growth since I started in 2012. I think the transition from first-generation ownership to second has gone really well! “
Name: Sheri Leonard Status: 17 Years Title: Human Resource/Safety Coordinator “They have trained me since my start date and always helped me to grow.”
Name: Kristie Moritz Status: 7 Years Title: Scheduling Coordinator “I was ready for a new challenge, I wanted to grow within the company, and I felt this was my next step.”
Name: Nathan Uphus Status: 20 Years Title: Sales Manager “I like to be involved in as many aspects of the business as ownership will allow me to, I find it challenging to learn new roles.”
Name: Wade Skillings Years: 2 Title: Lead Machine Operator “Working at Felling Trailers in the Fab area and throughout the plant there seems to be a bond that grows between people.”
Name: Jake Meyer Years: 21 Title: Inside Sales Consultant “It’s been said that if you’re not growing, you’re dying. In all of my position/role changes, I was looking for a way to try new things and take on new challenges.”
Name: Benji Hudalla Years: 21 Title: Final Inspector “When I graduated from Auto Body School, I was more interested in the painting, and I thought Felling Trailers would be a good start for me.”
Name: Bob Vangstad Years: 20 Title: Paint/Blast Team “It’s a good place to work. The last company I worked for went broke. I had lots of forklift experience, Felling was hiring, and it’s been a good place to be.”
Name: Scott Brown Years: 12 Title: Parts & Service Supervisor “The company has gotten much larger; the thing that hasn’t changed is it still takes everyone to do their thing to make it all work. There are just more of us.”
Name: Chad Steinhofer Years: 28 Title: Lead Welder “Wow! The facility, 20-25 years ago, was much smaller. I’ve seen the Blast and Paint line put in, all the additions, expansions; it’s been incredible to be a part of that.”
Name: Jim Robischon Years: 20 Title: Accounting Coordinator “Through the years, my position has stayed the same, a lot of other functions have come into play as employees would come and go, and I would be asked to assist.”
Name: Paul Pachan Years: 12 Title: Night Shift Supervisor “Since I started here, I have seen many additions to the shop, and we are still growing,”
Name: Darwin Bast Years: 8 Title: Production Team Welder “Felling is family-owned, and I have great, easy-going co-works. Working with the right type of people makes a big difference in a workday.”
Name: Jordan Bruggenthies Years: 10 Title: Production Painter “I do just about everything in the paint department. I’m a painter, blaster, striper, touch-up guy, maintenance, I’ve been paint lead, and I’ve even worked in project weld.”
