“We look forward to moving ahead under these contracts and appreciate working with the leadership of all our unions to finalize a package that is good for all involved. Titan’s success in providing our customers with market-leading products is based on the strength of our One Titan team, especially the tremendous people in our plants that build them.  We want to thank each and every one of our employees for their continued hard work and dedication.  I am confident that the approved three-year contracts position Titan for growth and allow us to continue to attract and retain top-notch employees which will solidify our position as a global market leader into the future.”

stated Paul Reitz, Titan’s President, and CEO.

“The benefits from these contracts begin immediately and reflect our appreciation for the commitment and dedication of our employees during the challenging times in recent years. The new contracts include incentive plans that provide financial rewards for achieving mutually agreed-to plant performance improvements.”

Source: Titan International

The post Titan Int’l United Steelworkers Employees Ratify New Contracts appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

He worked with both his father and brother at John Blue. Asked what his favorite part of the job is, Duck says,

“Everything. I love what I do and that’s the reason I stay and come back here to work every day. It’s a good place to work.”

Jeff Ferguson, Director of Manufacturing Operations, says,

“Donald checks the box for all of John Blue’s core values. He puts the customer first, he bleeds blue, he is honest and conscientious, he gets the job done, and above all, he has fun doing it. Duck is like family to all of us that have been at Blue. He never met a stranger and is always willing to help.”

Donald and Judy, his wife who recently passed away, were married for 52 years. She was the love of his life. They have two children, Jason and Tye, and three grandchildren.

Duck also has a love of antiques and has a booth at Candlelight Antiques in Elkmont, Alabama.

John Blue Company appreciates and thanks Donald “Duck” Vassar for his 55 years of exceptional service and being TRUE BLUE.

The post John Blue Longtime Employee Celebrates 55 Years of Work appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Claas formally opened the all-new 20,000-square-foot Claas Academy training facility. Located adjacent to the Claas of America headquarters and manufacturing plant in Omaha, the state-of-the-art facility will host on-site and virtual training for the Claas dealer network.

“We at Claas recognize the importance of continuing a high level of service and support. Therefore, we must train our dealer technicians in the best way possible. The Academy will offer Claas dealers a premium training experience in a highly professional learning environment that features innovative technology,”

says Adam Haworth, Director of Services, Claas of America.

Three classrooms provide a focused learning environment and include advanced technology to host both on-site and virtual training to the Claas dealer network. Temperature-controlled equipment bays allow technicians to get practical, hands-on experience with the largest Claas machines, from LEXION combines to JAGUAR forage harvesters and AXION tractors.

The academy expansion will also house the company’s workforce programs, which cultivate learning and engage the local community and technical schools through certification programs. The Claas Academy features an apprentice lab, home to the German-based ICATT apprenticeship program as well as the U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program.

“Claas is committed to growing the workforce within the ag industry. The Academy will support a wide variety of training priorities from service, product, and parts training to internal sales and leadership development programs,”

says Felicia Nichelson, Head of Academy, Claas of America.

The post Claas Expands to Include On-Site Training Facility in Omaha appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Just making sure the company and its employees are doing well is not enough; our local communities must also do well if we are to succeed”,

says Krister Blomgren, CEO, Engcon Group.  

Nothing about 2020 turned out the way anyone could have imagined. With a recession on the cards, many were prepared for a tough year right from the beginning, but as it turned out, Covid 19 changed everything. Uncertainty, redundancies and a tougher existence characterised the year. On top of this, restrictions and cutbacks were introduced, and delivery disruptions and a reluctance to invest have made their jobs much more difficult for many. Because Engcon would like to thank its hard-working employees while also doing its bit to support local entrepreneurs wherever Engcon has a presence, this year’s Christmas gift to its employees will be local gift cards.  

“There’s a major need of support and a great willingness on our part to show how grateful we are to both our employees and the local communities where we have a presence. So, we’ve decided that our Christmas gifts to our employees will ‘go local’ with the aim of supporting local businesses and companies,”

says Krister Blomgren, Engcon Group CEO.

During the year, its employees gave 100 percent, which did not go unnoticed, and now Engcon would like to show its gratitude with a Christmas gift that also benefits local communities. 

“We’re in a position where we can provide support, thanks to the fact that we pulled the handbrake immediately when we saw the year ahead would be shaky. And although things didn’t turn out as bad as we first feared, the pandemic and its restrictions and disruptions has presented serious challenges. And our personnel around the world stepped up to meet them 100 percent. It’s something we’re truly grateful for,”

says Krister Blomgren, CEO, Engcon Group. He goes on to say:

“‘I’m deeply impressed by our personnel and the way they stepped up to solve the situations that arose. It’s also why we decided to thank them with a Christmas gift that’s a little larger than usual. They are worth it!” 

In practical terms, it means Engcon’s employees will receive gift cards valid in retail stores in the communities where Engcon has a presence, instead of making a mass purchase of the same Christmas gift to everyone.   

“Just making sure the company and its employees are doing well is not enough; our local communities must also do well if we are to succeed. It feels good to have made this decision”,

says Krister Blomgren. 

Engcon maintains a presence in 12 places, from Strömsund in the north of Sweden and Mennecy in France, to Hamden on the other side of the Atlantic in Connecticut, USA. 

The post Engcon Provides Local Support This Christmas appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The company’s historic Columbus Engine Plant (CEP) was recognized by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for a range of initiatives to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste. The company was also named a 2021 Military Friendly Employer for providing opportunities to veterans and their spouses. Finally, Forbes and Statista named Cummins to its 2nd Annual America’s Best Employers by State list for Indiana.

Governor’s environmental award

CEP was one of six Indiana organizations and government agencies honored for its work on the environment as part of the governor’s annual awards for environmental excellence.

“By using innovative environmental practices, they have reduced waste, saved money, and contributed greatly to environmental protection efforts for Hoosiers,”

Indiana Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Bruno Pigott said of the honorees.

The Cummins plant was specifically recognized for five years of continuous environmental improvement, including an upgrade to more energy-efficient LED lighting in 2017, an energy-saving manufacturing controls project started that same year enabling CEP to convert a continuously running coolant system to on-demand service, and engine test cell improvements saving 3.4 million gallons of water per year in the system to cool engines undergoing testing.

CEP also achieved Zero Waste status under Cummins’ environmental management program, and the plant’s popular Community Recycling Day for residents in the company’s headquarters city of Columbus diverted some 740,000 pounds of material from reaching area landfills.

“To have a successful environmental management system, it takes every department, every team and every individual working together to create change. This recognition is the result of their hard work and dedication.”

said David Wehrkamp, CEP’s Environmental Supervisor.

Military friendly employer

Cummins was also one of 240 employers recently named to the 2021 Military Friendly Employers list for its work in the U.S. to create opportunities for veterans and their spouses both through employment and supplier initiatives.

“Companies that have earned this designation have invested in substantive programs to recruit, retain, and advance veterans within their organizations. To them, hiring veterans isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s good for business.”

said Josh Rosen, who leads the organization that puts the list together.

Employers are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Established in 2003, the Military Friendly Employers list provides a comprehensive guide to veterans and their families. In addition to Cummins employment efforts for veterans, the company has a very active employee resource group dedicated to veterans, and veterans are also included in Cummins’ supplier diversity initiatives.

The recognition as a Military Friendly Employer follows the company’s designation in July as a Top-Scoring Company on the 2020 Disability Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to evaluate their disability inclusion policies and practices. Companies scoring 80% or higher are recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

Best employers by State 2021

Finally, Cummins was named to the 2nd annual list of America’s Best Employers by State 2021 for the company’s headquarters state of Indiana.

The list is prepared by Forbes magazine and Statista, which specializes in consumer and market data. It is based on an independent survey of more than 80,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people in their U.S. operations. The surveys were administered using a series of online panels selected to get a representative sample.

Cummins is one of 80 top employers on the list for the state, ranking only behind Salesforce in Indiana. Other highly ranked employers include Eli Lilly and Company (third) and the Indiana University School of Medicine (fourth).

Source: Cummins

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