TAKING PRIDE IN A JOB WELL DONE
This Springdale-based company values ingenuity and is looking for creative thinkers and problem solvers .
FPEC , which stands for Food Processing Equipment Company , makes custom-designed machinery used by many companies that process the poultry , meat and other foods we eat every day . FPEC credits its dedication to service and quality for its more than 55 years of success .
The company is known for its outside-the-box ideas , says Alan Davison , FPEC ’ s president . “ All of our concepts are custom built . We help companies streamline production and become more efficient by updating their equipment and providing everything from stand-alone equipment to totally automated systems . Our customers include Tyson Foods , Cargill , George ’ s , Inc ., Simmons Foods , Ozark Mountain Poultry , Hormel , Bar-S and Lopez Foods .”
The company needs engineers , CAD designers , machinists , electrical technicians and instrumentation designers , fabricators and welders to create its custom pieces from start to finish . “ It ’ s a lot of fun to see a concept go from an idea to bringing it into a plant and see it work ,” Davison adds .
Logan Wichert is an important part of that process . He started his career at FPEC shortly after he graduated from high school . “ I like being at FPEC because it ’ s a good company to work for and they take care of me ,” he explains . “ FPEC has good people , a good atmosphere and it ’ s a good place to work .” Wichert started in the company ’ s shipping and receiving department but soon expanded his skills . He now does whatever is needed , including making the parts used in the company ’ s products and assembling the custom-made machines . work with stainless steel ,” he explains . “ That requires some special training , and with that training you can hit the ground running .” Clouse got his start at the company when he was first hired at FPEC as a college intern . He took a different job after graduation , but returned to the company as an engineer in 1997 and worked his way up to become general manager . He says having the right mindset is important . “ We look for people who love what they do because we ’ re proud of the work we do here .”
That pride shows when you look at how long many team members have been with the company . Many joined FPEC when the company expanded back in the mid-1990s . Some have now left or retired , and Clouse says finding the right people to fill those positions can be tough . “ We want to help you build a stable career . Most of our employees stay for 10 years or more , and we take care of our team .”
To show you have what it takes to join the FPEC team , you need to have a professional résumé and good references if you ’ ve had a previous job . “ Having a good recommendation from a former employer is helpful ,” explains Clouse . He says having technical certifications for skills like welding could also help set you apart from the competition . But the most important quality is your attitude . “ We ’ re looking for people with a good work ethic who will do their best every day .”
“ I ’ m learning all the roles including fabrication , machining , assembly and cutting . I like doing everything because it ’ s not always the same thing every day .” Wichert says there are some things you can do now that could help you build a career in manufacturing . “ Take classes to develop your skills . It helps a lot to go to a technical school , or take an agriculture or engineering class and learn the basics .”
Chris Clouse , FPEC ’ s general manager , agrees . “ Our team members
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