Felling Trailers has been proudly manufacturing trailers for 50 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 – 37.” 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 people you will meet have been with us for many years, some decades, and others are starting their careers. To continue our series, we want you to meet Austin Koch, Senior Painter for Felling Trailers, Inc.
Grow With Us Series – 37
Austin Koch
Felling Trailers
Name: Austin Koch
Status: 9 years
Title: Senior Painter
Austin joined the Felling Trailers team in February 2015, working the night shift as an entry-level painter for the Paint and Blast team. As a new employee, Austin went through paint and blast training. Felling provides training to all new employees, no matter the department they are placed in. In the Paint department, many team members have little to no painting experience. They are paired with senior painters and will shadow them for 1-2 weeks. Before his time with Felling, Austin had worked with heavy machinery for a few years. “After high school, I worked out of state with an OTR (over-the-road) trucking company delivering windmill towers. After that, I went to college and received my associate’s degree in engineering. Shortly after graduating, I moved to Sauk Centre,” said Austin.
“I like to be on my feet and have something different to do every day, which is quite easy for me to do in the paint department with its many sub-positions that are available daily.”
— Austin Koch, Senior Painter
Mastering the Paint and Blast Process
Learning all aspects of the Paint and Blast process, over time, Austin learned and gained experience in all the sub-positions: blast, prime, and paint application, striping, and rework. Each step in the paint process is essential to achieve the quality finish Felling trailers are known for. The process starts with preparing the steel by using a steel grit blast and blasting trailers and components to remove rust and contaminants; next, primer and paint are applied. Once painted, the trailers/parts are moved to the Drying room, where the paint cures and decals are applied. Through his years in paint, he has been promoted to Senior Painter level.
In 2021, Austin moved to the weekend shift after being a part of the night shift for six years. The weekend shift works Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, working 36 hours and being paid for 40 hours. Felling Trailers offers three shifts at its Sauk Centre location to provide team members with flexible options for their lifestyle, day shift (6 am- 4:30 pm), night shift (4:30 pm – 3 am), and weekend shift (Fri./Sat./Sun. 6 am – 6:30 pm).
Through his nine years with Felling Trailers, the company has significantly changed and grown, and Austin has played a part in making that happen.
“The people, processes, new equipment, three new buildings, including the newest paint facility, all have happened in my nine years here. Plus, there is more to come when the company expands the plant; we are all a part of that,” said Austin. We are glad to have Austin as part of our team. Thank you for all you do, Austin!
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 thirty-seventh feature in our “Grow with Us” series. Read the other stories about Ismael Mendoza, Lead Painter, Greg Martino, Senior Welder, Mauricio “Jr” Perez, Parts & Service Associate, Aaron Butler, Senior Material Handler, 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, Greg Waletzko, (retired)Quality Assurance Manager at Felling Trailers, and Kristie Moritz, Scheduling Coordinator.
Leave a Reply