What is your role at KION North America and how long have you been in the industry?
I am a Quality Inspector and in March I will have been with KION North America for 15 years.
What made you want to go into this line of work?
Prior to coming to KION North America, I worked at a company in Charleston for 20 years. During that time, many companies were moving their facilities to Mexico and my employer was one of them that resulted in my being laid off. I would pass by KION North America all the time in route to my in-laws and I told my husband I was claiming a job there by faith. After two interviews I was hired, which was one of the happiest days of my life! Back then, my job was a button-up person where I was responsible for cleaning the truck. After a few years, an opportunity came along for the position of Quality Inspector. I applied and was awarded the position and have been in this role ever since.
What does your typical day look like at KION North America?
When a truck arrives in the final inspection area, I check to make sure the serial number matches with the paperwork assigned to that truck. I go through the paperwork check list to make sure everything is on the truck that the customer ordered and I do a function test of the truck which consists of driving, checking windshield wipers, lights, backup alarm, and the hydraulic functions. After my checks, I make a data plate for that specific truck which consists of capacity information and the weight and serial number. We have a stencil machine that does that where we just key in the info and it makes the plate. I then put on the safety/warning labels on the truck. Every truck must have these decals, and if a truck needs stencils we do that also. I clean the truck “button-up” with various solvents, shine the tires, then I’m ready to take pictures of the truck from all four sides, including lights, blue lights, data plate, and s/n’s for reference in case we have some discrepancies. Then I place a green tag on the truck verifying that everything is complete. I put all the truck info in our data base and then I move on to the next truck.
If someone were interested in entering the material handling industry, what advice would you give them?
I would say come on! It’s a great company to work for, and you have an opportunity to grow in the company when new positions come along.
What do you like best about working at KION North America?
I love the people. We are a great team! I not only love the people I work with, but I love KION North America as a whole. I respect everyone and everyone respects me. I guess I’m known as the mom of the group!
