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Last modified: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:14 AM CDT
WCCO Belting expansion faring well
by Anna Jauhola • Daily News
WCCO Belting, Inc., in Wahpeton is well into use of its new addition and is currently setting up three new presses. It takes about three people per shift to run each press. There are three shifts and WCCO is still looking for employees to fill half of these positions. Training is done on site.
"These are positions for people looking for a career in manufacturing," said CEO/president Tom Shorma. "Many employees have been here several years."
The majority of products produced at WCCO are for agricultural purposes, like conveyor belting for combines and balers. These are not supplied directly to farmers, rather the company supplies companies like John Deere that build the equipment.
"Half our revenue comes from customers outside the U.S.," Shorma said. "It's good for stability. We supply to 20 different countries."
The company announced the expansion in the fall of 2008 and it was completed by the end of 2008. Equipment has been delivered throughout the first quarter of 2009. Shorma said the company has plenty of orders to support the equipment.
"The presses are online later than we wanted," Shorma said. "Only two of three are up and running." Although the company has doubled its workforce in the last 12 months, the second press only started up this week and the third has yet to be set up.
All presses have multiple capabilities. They can make tube conveyor belts, light bottom trailer belts and more. WCCO has also expanded into the recreation industry, such as making belts for ski slopes.
"We are always looking to diversify our base to broaden the business," Shorma said. "We keep busy because of all the alternative business."
Shorma said WCCO works closely with Job Service of North Dakota in Wahpeton and anyone interested can visit WCCO for a tour or application. The plant is currently running 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep production from building up.
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| Lisa Muehl, middle, directs operator Jacob Hardin, left, when placing belting material on the first of three new presses at WCCO Belting in Wahpeton, while Taylor Fennell waits to place material under the belt. Here the employees are making belting for combine headers. Most materials produced at WCCO are of an agricultural nature, but the company has branched into the recreational industry. Currently, two of the above presses have been set up. The third will be operational soon. Photo by Anna Jauhola |
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