"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.
 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 Advertisement |
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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