Wednesday, February 11

We have been talking about going here for the past few years, and this was the day we finally made it work.

Roy (our son-in-law) works in Building 11 of Sheppard in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

I cannot take production pictures inside any of the buildings, so will give a bit of a description with outside pictures.

Roy is a Field Service Representative and has been with Sheppard since 2002.

Posing with Cerwin just before our very interesting one-and-a-half-hour tour of several buildings. We saw the remanufacturing building – behind the men – as well as the entire line where new steering gear boxes are manufactured.

Sheppard employs just under 1,000 people.

This is his LinkedIn photo on the internet – displaying a steering gear box.

This is an internet photo of a Sheppard gear box. It is described as heavy-duty.

They manufacture an average of 850 per day.

Steering wheels have a shaft that goes into these steering gear boxes – enabling a driver to maneuver a large vehicle.

My cell phone photo of Roy at his desk.

Roy’s job description on LinkedIn:

We design and manufacture power steering gears for heavy trucks, motor homes, oil field rigs, military vehicles, delivery vans and other specialized vehicles. We are a supplier to the vehicle manufacturer. I assist the vehicle manufacturer, vehicle owners and vehicle repair technicians with installation, troubleshooting and repairs. Assistance is provided via telephone conversation and on-site visits worldwide.

I process & analyze warranty data and recommend product and process improvements, perform audits and training at the vehicle manufacturing plants, and perform technician training at repair shops, fleets, and manufacturing plants.

I assist engineers with troubleshooting of new installations and assist in product testing and review. I maintain a Pennsylvania State Class A Commercial Drivers’ License.

~~~

Cerwin and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting several co-workers, seeing the remanufacturing process, and walking the entire line of men, women, and robots who build a steering box – from a piece of steel to a product that is ready to be shipped.

I was amazed.

Thanks, Roy, for a fabulous tour. You certainly know your product.

~~~

After saying goodbye to Roy, we drove a few blocks to Utz Potato Chips to redeem a $10.00 gift certificate I got for my birthday in 2014.

We bought a few things, but used our gift certificate on this box of snacks.

We and the man cave guys are enjoying the products.

Roy works about two hours away from his and Deb’s house, so he also has a house in the Hanover area that he uses several nights a week.

We drove by Glatfelter in Spring Grove and decided that it would also be an interesting place to tour.

Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of specialty papers and engineered products, headquartered in York, Pennsylvania. This is the Pulpwood Receiving Distribution Center/Warehouse.

~~~

It was certainly a worthwhile and interesting morning and afternoon.