Record to beat: 50 years of seniority!
The idea of staying with the same employer for a lifetime may seem unthinkable to many young workers today, but it wasn’t so uncommon a generation ago.
Kenneth W. Waggoner is an example. We interviewed him to find out more.
“I have been at Bil-Jax 50 years, I just can’t believe it myself. lt’s not true, is it? “
Kenneth, congratulations on your record, when did you join Biljax and why?
I met a girl at our next door neighbor’s house, we fell in love in 1971 and we were married in 1974. Her Dad was working at Bil-Jax, he must have liked me and told me to get over here and put in an application in that September, he told me they were looking for more help. So in September of 1971, I went over and applied and was hired by Don Sigg the plant superintendent. I believe they made a good choice, and I made a good choice to go work for them. They were a small company at that time and when I was hired my number was 39 on the seniority list.
The history of this company is why I am still here, as it was started by a family who loved the Lord and it is a heritage that I will never forget!
While working here I have been given many challenges during my time. I love challenges when they come my way and it gives me a personal satisfaction when it is accomplished.
Could you tell us what position you hold? Have you always done this job, can you explain your background?
Currently I am working in the Shipping department and have been a Shipping clerk for most of my years here at Bil-Jax. lt is the Best Job here ! ! !
Jobs that I have had in the past are
- lnspector
- Welder 3 years
- Paint line operator
- Receiving Foreman
- Group Leader in Shipping
- Shipping Clerk
- “The Show Guy” making you and all our product look good to our customers for our trade shows. I cannot even tell you how important that job is to me and to have it done perfectly!
- ln the past l’ve done some product familiarization training to new sales people in our company.
50 years in the same company, could you tell us how you feel?
l’m not really sure how to answer that question especially about how do I feel?
You know when you love what you do it is not hard to get up in the morning and go do something you love to do. Don’t get me wrong, there ARE some tough times and frustrations that I have gone through and still do …..
For me this Job is not work it is an Adventure. You never know what is around the next corner and I look forward to each day’s challenges. So I say Bring it on!!
Could you give us some highlights or anecdotes from your career?
There was a guy who worked here in shipping when I started, his name was Paul Lovejoy. Me as an 18-year-old just out of high school and wanting to find out something about the guys I was now working with, I asked him how long have you been working here? He said 15 years, I was amazed as I was only 3 years old when he started! Paul retired from Bil-Jax with 50 Years 3 Months and 6 or 7 days under his belt. I just want to say WOW! What an accomplishment and my hat goes off to him he was always a friend! I was always so proud of him and think so much of him. Back then we had some real men who had character and it was great working with guys who had class. lt still is a pleasure when we can work with those types of people.
ln the Shipping department we have a saying: if we can’t get a product out the door, we always say you got to bury it to ship it. So many times, that is the truth.
We always say that we don’t see the time pass, but what made you stay in the Group?
You want to know why I stayed at Bil-Jax, lt is truly a Love for those who I work with and for the opportunity I have to serve this company the best way I can.
Bil-Jax has been a family to me through the years, the products we make are the best in the industry! I love seeing all of us working together manufacturing and building scaffolding, boom lifts, and all the event staging we now manufacture. lt is the VERY BEST in the industry!
I will finish with this, for me, yes time flies and retirement may be around the corner or down the road and at this point I don’t know when that will be, I love what I do and love the people whom I work with and for!
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