Felling Trailers has proudly manufactured trailers for over 50 years. Join us as we look back at our company’s and employees’ growth. Many of you may already be familiar with the story of how Felling Trailers began as a small fabrication shop in downtown Sauk Centre in 1974. To continue our story, we invite you to read our “Grow with Us Series – 45,” where you’ll meet the people who shaped Felling, both past and present. Some people you will meet have been with us for many years, some decades, and others are starting their careers. Continuing our story, meet Shane Johnson, Logistics Specialist at Felling Trailers, Inc., in Litchfield.
Grow with Us Series – 45th
Shane Johnson
Felling Trailers
Name: Shane Johnson
Status: 13 years
Title: Logistics Specialist
A Foundation in Logistics
Shane joined Felling’s Litchfield team in July 2012 as a material handler and loader, bringing 13 years of experience in logistics. “Logistics is all I know, it’s all I’ve ever done my entire adult career, from being a material handler, forklift driver, loading and unloading semis, and dispatching all the way to obtaining my CDL, driving locally for 5 years, then going over-the-road for 18 months driving semi. Logistics is all I know, it’s my passion, one could say,” said Shane.
Early Career and the Road to Felling
Shane began his career in 1999 at Office Max at the age of 17, working in the shipping and receiving department. A strong work ethic and quick understanding of operations led to his promotion to Operations Supervisor, where he oversaw shipping and receiving operations. “That’s where it started,” Shane said. From 2005 to 2008, Shane took his career to the next level at Coca-Cola, where he obtained his CDL and began driving a semi as a local route driver, delivering Coke products. While there, he earned his doubles and triples endorsement, pulling two trailers at once. He then became a route supervisor while continuing to serve as a backup route driver. In 2008, Shane tried long-haul trucking with Teske Trucking, covering 37 states over a year. “I have been to or through 37 of the 50 states in a semi,” Shane said, “It was a great experience, but being an over-the-road driver wasn’t for me.” Ready for more home time, Shane joined Bobcat as a material handler. His career took an unexpected turn in the fall of 2011 when a parasailing accident left him injured. The recovery period led to a transition into an office role, which Shane discovered he really enjoyed. “I appreciated the planning and coordination side of operations,” said Shane. However, in early summer 2012, Bobcat relocated 75% of its operations to North Dakota, and Shane was part of a mass layoff. It was then that opportunity knocked at Felling Trailers. “Right after Bobcat, I applied at Felling and have been here ever since,” said Shane.
Growing with Felling Trailers
Shane started out as the only material handler at the Litchfield location. Much of his day involved handling incoming steel and freight trucks, offloading materials, and ensuring correct quantity and quality. He then delivered materials to warehouse locations, supplied weld production areas, and assisted with truck loading as needed. “I started out as the ONLY material handler/loader that LFD had until we kept on growing,” Shane recalled. Today, Shane is one of the last two original employees still working at the Litchfield facility from its opening. As the facility expanded, so did Shane’s role. He transitioned to the Logistics Specialist role, a position that aligned perfectly with his experience and passion. “I wanted to be more involved on the logistics side of things. I enjoy dealing with drivers and the incoming/outgoing shipments of items, paperwork, and the everyday routine,” Shane stated.
When asked why he chose to work at Felling, Shane stated. “The attention to detail at Felling Trailers is top-notch. I appreciate family-owned businesses. I enjoy a small family business over Corporate America any day. I would rather support a Mom and Pop shop over a chain whenever possible.” Having worked in the corporate environment, he’s seen the difference firsthand.
At Felling, you’re like family. They know your name and position, appreciate you, and treat you as a normal person, no matter the title you hold. That is hard to find these days. The 4-day work weeks and no weekends are another added bonus.
Growth And Community
“I have also had the opportunity to take part in the Litchfield community events with my family as we bring a Felling trailer through the town parades.”
Since joining the Felling team in 2012, Shane has witnessed significant growth at the Litchfield facility. As one of the last two original employees, he has seen the operation expand from a single-material handler to a thriving production facility. “We kept on growing,” Shane said. “I remember moving and adding equipment, cement, and making improvements inside and outside the building. We went from a 10-person weld shop to a full weld, blast, paint, and finish shop—then back to a very busy weld shop.”
We are glad to have Shane on our team. Thank you, Shane, for 13 years of dedication!
Explore More Stories from Our Grow with Us Series
This is the forty-fifth 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.
