In this special installment of The Faces of KION North America, we had the opportunity to talk with Scott Thorpe, Technical Training Instructor, and our Employee of the Quarter winner of our off-site locations in Q4.
Scott has been a part of the KION North America family for over 27 years and has experienced many opportunities and growth while being a member of the team. Find out a little more about Scott’s time in our organization and his thoughts on his greatest accomplishment and the secret sauce to thriving in an organization.
In the length of time, you have been at KION NA, what accomplishment makes you most proud?
I started a little over 27 years ago at KION NA in the production area. Growing with the company, I have seen it expand from a small to a large corporation. I had the opportunity to travel to Germany and work with our German counter-parts team on the build of the Linde Series 346 truck. Upon my return, we successfully launched one of our best products to date on our brand-new CB assembly line, thus being one of my greatest accomplishments.
What makes an employee stand out in an organization?
I believe it takes several things for an employee to stand out in an organization:
Treat people as you would like to be treated.
Be on time; others are counting on you.
Do your best at whatever task is ahead of you.
What motivates you?
I’m most motivated by making a difference and setting and meeting goals.
What is it about the culture at KION NA that makes you excel in your position?
Having a team that shares common goals. I have been fortunate to have been part of many great teams throughout my career at KION North America.
What do you think it takes to be an exceptional teammate?
It’s important to be dependable and always look for the positive, especially in tough situations.
Which KION Group shared value resonates most with you? (Integrity, Courage, Collaboration, Excellence)?
While all of KION Group’s shared values are important, “Integrity” sticks out the most for me. Being dependable and having a strong work ethic is the key to being successful. “Excellence” drives me most – don’t allow failure to be an option.
Looking to the future, what are you most excited about?
I’ve recently transferred to the Technical Training Team, which has opened new doors for me. I’m excited to learn new products and look forward to making a difference when training our dealers.
