Photo by Sue WatsonJoe Childs, with quality control, describes the tests used to assure that the quality of the finished product meets the industry standard for color, strength, thickness and heat warp.
Photos by Sue WatsonRaw materials are blended after arrival by rail.
Sheila Holland-Hampton, with Human Resources, welcomes students to Saint-Gobain as career coach Jackie Riddle with Byhalia High School, right, assists students with sign-in.
Steve Anderson leads students through production at Checkpoint 2 inside the facility.
Saint-Gobain launches workforce development program
Saint-Gobain, a vinyl siding manufacturing plant in Holly Springs, provided tours for Byhalia High School juniors and seniors Thursday, March 5 in its outreach to students who may become interested in careers in manufacturing.
Manufacturing accounts for over $28 billion in Mississippi, according to Scott Overland with external communications.
He said industry is a major driver of employment in the state with over 141,000 Mississippi residents working in manufacturing.
“Careers in manufacturing offer bright futures and high paying jobs for students,” he said, with average salaries of more than $81,000 a year, compared to the statewide average of $52,000.”
Saint-Gobain has launched Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities, a workforce development program aimed at introducing students to all that manufacturing offers.
The program was launched at the Saint-Gobain facility by providing guided tours of the facility in Holly Springs to Byhalia High School students.
Just over 20 students participated in the tour of the facility where they saw first hand how a modern manufacturing facility is operated.
Vinyl siding for houses and mobile homes is manufactured at the facility.
Students were divided into two groups of 10 for the tour and given a thorough introduction to personal protection equipment, the apparel they would wear during the tour.
Safety at the facility is foremost, Hampton said as she described how the tour would be conducted.
She said students will decide whether to go to college or to work as they graduate.
“We want you to observe our culture. Have fun,” she said.
Steve Hellen, plant manager, said about 80 people work at the Holly Springs facility, but the company employs over 160,000 employees and operates in 80 countries worldwide. The company is 360 years old.
Manufacturing is both challenging and rewarding, he said.
“We hope some of your group will consider us as your future employer,” Hampton said. “Teamwork is how we make it here.”
Five checkpoints were set up for the tour, which began with quality assurance, followed by production, operations, shipping and warehouse stops.
Alicia Johnson escorted the first group beginning at quality assurance where the vinyl siding is tested for color, thickness, impact strength. And other tests.
She works in production at the facility.