MANUFACTURING SUCCESS
WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
Start your career at a growing company that teaches the skills for success
CHANDLER EQUIPMENT makes components and aftermarket
accessories for trucks, trailers and off-road vehicles and is looking
for team players to help grow its business.
The company has been in Northwest Arkansas since the early 1980s
and grew its business by producing industrial truck parts. “Now
we’re focused on truck and off-road vehicle accessories, which
include high quality tool boxes, aftermarket bumpers, entry steps,
and roof racks that are sold under our different brands across the
country,” CEO Chris Chandler says.
The company designs and manufactures all its products at its
Springdale headquarters. “Our engineers use computer-aided
drafting software to design new products. The production team then
cuts, forms, welds and assembles the steel parts before we send the
finished products to customers nationwide,” Chandler says.
As the company evolves, so does the technology it uses. “We’re
becoming more automated,” Chandler explains. “We have 15
robots used for material handling and welding to improve our speed
and capacity.” Chandler says automation changes how the team
works and the skills they need.
“We’ll need robotics engineers and programmers in the future as we
move toward becoming more automated,” Chandler says. “Getting
involved with your school’s robotics team can teach you a lot of the
skills we need. Also, take classes that teach you skilled trades like
welding. Any certification in welding or machine operation is helpful
because it shows you’re willing to work and achieve something.“
Chandler says business
classes can also be
useful. “Having a general
knowledge of business
and economics can help
you understand supply
and demand and how the
real world works. That’s
beneficial in any job.”
Starting pay for production
positions at Chandler
Equipment is at least $15
an hour with the potential to
earn much more. “We evaluate our employees regularly and give
pay raises based on merit, attendance and attitude. When positions
become available, we like to promote from within when we can,”
Chandler explains.
When it comes to hiring new employees, having a good work
ethic and positive attitude are the most important things. “We are
different in that we place a lot of value on a good attitude and real
world experience. For me, seeing that you have a drive to succeed
is more important than seeing that you have a degree. We have
75 employees, and I’d say less than 10 of those have a college
degree.”
Chandler Equipment will help you learn the skills you need to build
a career. “Everyone is on the same team, and we’ll teach you what
you need to know to be successful at our company,” Chandler
says. Team members have the opportunity to learn different jobs,
so they can help out when needed. “You may be hired as a robotic
operator, but that doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll do each day. We’ll
move you around to different positions so you can learn many skills.”
Chandler Equipment also needs people focused on customer
service. “We’re old school,” Chandler explains. “Most of our
business deals are done over the phone and in person. You need to
communicate well so you can build a strong relationship with each
customer. You also need to be able to follow directions and give
feedback, so I’d recommend taking classes that help improve your
social and communication skills.”
Chandler Equipment is a family-oriented company and believes in
taking care of its employees with
100 percent company paid health,
vision and dental insurance, paid
vacation time and a retirement
savings plan. “We support each
other because everything we do
impacts everybody else in the
company,” Chandler says. “We
focus on giving back to our team.”
You can learn more about Chandler
Equipment’s brands and products by
scanning the code.
FAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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