by Jessica Igo | Sep 29, 2023 | News, Uncategorized
Schools across the country are back in full swing, and Otto Kasten, Quality Assurance Manager at our Indiana manufacturing plant, has been busy visiting high schools in and around the town of Rensselaer with donations to their welding programs.
“At the start of school we put together a care package of various PPE items for four high schools in our immediate area. Safety is our number one priority here at Chief and we want them to know that their safety is our number one priority as well,” said Otto.
Every year, Otto and his team deliver safety glasses, weld gloves and jackets, and one head gear and grinding shield for each school. But he doesn’t stop there.
“A couple times a year we donate scrap steel for their programs – approximately 1000-1500 pounds of scrap steel to each high school. At the end of the school year, we give weld test to the students. Sometimes 30-40 students per school take the 2G weld test and if they passed it the prior year then they take the 3G weld test. The beginner classes take a fillet weld test. We also do plant tours for the high schools, and I am on the Advisory Committee for all four high schools.”
The four high schools served by this program are Rensselaer Central High School, South Newton High School, Tri-County High School, and West Central High School. There are a total of 211 students enrolled in the welding programs across all four schools.
In addition to his work with the high schools, Otto is also on the Advisory Committee at Ivy Tech, a local College, and Chief Buildings donates approximately 2000-2500 pounds of scrap steel to their programs twice a year.
Otto and his team in Indiana are not the only Chief Buildings location actively involved in educating the youth in their community, however. Our manufacturing plants in Nebraska and South Carolina both regularly donate scrap steel to local welding programs and offer plant tours to high school and college students.
by Jessica Igo | Aug 8, 2023 | News
Just as Chief Buildings are set on strong foundations, we believe the communities where we work and live are the foundation for our employees and their families to grow. To that end, Chief has always been a strong supporter of the United Way. When our new manufacturing plant opened in Lancaster, South Carolina nearly a year ago, establishing a relationship with the local United Way was a priority. Stacy Catoe, HR/Payroll Administrator, set to work creating a workplace campaign, which was recognized last month at the United Way Celebration of Community.
Business and non-profit leaders from Lancaster county came together at the Arnold Room of USC Lancaster’s Bradley Building on July 12th to celebrate 65 years of the work of the United Way of Lancaster County. The United Way raises funds to help provide services to improve the overall health and stability of the community. This can include assistance with housing, food insecurity, prescription costs, and more.
Many awards were presented at the event to business and community leaders who made a significant impact on the campaign through either their gifts or their service. Although we are new to the community, we are proud to announce our impact was acknowledged in the form of an award for New Campaign of the Year!
We are excited to see where the future takes us in Lancaster, and we are thrilled to be a part of the community. Thank you, United Way of Lancaster, S.C.
by Jessica Igo | Jul 10, 2023 | News, Uncategorized
Nathan Fries, Senior Sales Engineer, has been with Chief for over 9 years, but his commitment to service and community goes back even further than that. For the past 11 summers, he has volunteered to work with at-risk youth at Teen Reach Adventure Camp (TRAC). We sat down with Nathan to learn more about TRAC, and how others can get involved too!
What exactly is TRAC, and what do they do?
“TRAC is a three-day, single-gender camp designed for youth, ages 12-15, primarily residing in foster care. Through camp, these at-risk youth experience the outdoors, while learning teamwork and participating in activities which improve trust, self-value, and teamwork.”
How did you get involved with the organization?
“Prior to being a volunteer at TRAC, I also volunteered with an organization called RFKC (Royal Family Kids Camp) designed for younger kids. It was actually my dental hygienist at the time – she found out I had done RFKC in the past and asked if I would be a part of TRAC. Now, my wife and I both serve at the camp.”
What are your goals in participating?
“Even though it is only 3 days for the teens at the camp, we have heard from past participants that it makes a lasting impact on them. For me, it is a blessing to be able to serve these teens who normally wouldn’t have this opportunity.”
How does the organization benefit the participants and the community?
“It is great for the kids and the parents/guardians because the camps is free for the kids to attend due to great donors who generously give.”
How can others get involved?
“People can go online to https://www.teenreach.org/camp-list to find the closest camp near them and email the director of that camp. It takes a lot of volunteers to make camp happen and without the volunteers, these teenagers wouldn’t be able to go to camp.”
Nathan and his wife, Amanda, have been married for 14 years and have four children. Nathan is also active in the community by volunteering at his kids’ school, coaching youth sports, and leading the middle school group at church.
by Jessica Igo | Jun 30, 2023 | News, Uncategorized
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (June 1, 2023) – Chief Buildings, a premier metal building system manufacturer, is currently seeking skilled workers for multiple positions that do not require a four-year degree at the company’s newest plant in Lancaster, South Carolina. Chief is hoping to fill positions that include everything from machine operators and shipping coordinators to maintenance technicians and welders.
The plant, which came online in late 2022, continues to increase production weekly. Chief will provide the on-site training and mentoring for the new hires. In addition, a summer internship program for area high school students will be introduced later this year.
Stacy Catoe, human resources manager for the Lancaster plant, is currently hosting job fairs and seminars at a local high school and at York Technical College to find individuals interested in both internship and full-time positions at the facility. For questions or to apply, please visit www.southcarolina.chiefbuildings.com.
“It’s important that we invest and nurture our rising leaders through mentorship and talent development to ensure Lancaster remains a viable community for those that live, learn and work here,” Catoe said. “We will continue to reach out to our community leaders and organizations in an effort to increase awareness of these career pathways and to collaborate in our efforts as we work to create a multi-talented and vibrant homegrown workforce.”
The company manufactures a wide variety of products for the machining and manufacturing industries. The Lancaster plant is one of three Chief plants; the other two are in Grand Island, Nebraska, the company’s headquarter location, and in Rensselaer, Indiana.
Beth Frerichs, director of marking and communications for parent company Chief Industries, attributed the increased need for talent to the growth in demand for products by the company’s builder network across the country.
“The development of the Lancaster plant was a direct result of the growth in the construction industry,” Frerichs said. “The relationships we have with our stakeholders and builders is one we’ve nurtured for decades, and the Lancaster plant allows this collaboration to continue well into the future. We’re not just a company. We are a group of individuals driving this success. And we recognize that our Lancaster employees, those we have now and those who we hope to hire, are a great fit for our Chief Family.”
About Chief Buildings
Since 1966, Chief Buildings has designed and manufactured a wide variety of construction solutions for customer located throughout the United States. Specific applications include manufacturing, commercial, community and agricultural buildings. Each structure is designed to meet the specific needs of the customer. Parent company Chief Industries has remained independent, privately held and family-owned since its founding. Chief products and services are used in a wide range of industries around the world including agriculture, commercial construction, structural steel, factory-built housing, ethanol production, transportation, community development and more.
by Jessica Igo | Jun 29, 2023 | News
When Lyle Myers, Production Supervisor at our Rensselaer, Indiana Buildings Plant, was approached about materials for a new dugout at Columbia Park for the Rensselaer Softball Association (RSAI), he was more than happy to help.
“There was just a bench there and the girls were sitting with the sun beating down on them. Only 6 could fit on the bench at a time. It definitely needed upgraded.”
Lyle has been a volunteer referee/umpire for multiple youth sports in Rensselaer since 2012. He is also on the board of the 500 Club, which supports kids’ sports in Jasper County through a $5/monthly donation from members.
“I realized I could help from two sources.”
The 500 Club made a financial donation to the dugouts, and Lyle put Dennis Black, longtime friend and RSAI board member, in touch with Jason Williams, Manufacturing Manager for Chief Buildings.
“Dennis contacted me looking to buy materials for new dugouts, and I said we would be happy to donate to help support the program and the parks department. Chief has been sponsoring a team in softball or baseball since before 2004, and we’ve had many employees and their kids participate in the park programs and utilize that field.”
Chief donated the roof panels and trim for the dugout, providing cover and shade for the young athletes. We believe in fostering an employee culture focused on family and community, and giving back to the communities where we live and work is an integral part of our success.
