Parker Hannifin Corporation, Racor Division
Top Jobs, p1
Racor in Modesto largest of company's four U.S. divisions
By Heidi Howell
Special to Bee Advertising
For
more than 30 years, people in the Central Valley have lined up to
produce products for Racor Division. What is Racor Division and why are
people lining up? Racor is part of a large company whose products,
according to company literature, “are vital to virtually everything that
moves or requires control, including the manufacture and processing of
raw materials, durable goods, infrastructure development and transport.”
Like a well-oiled machine, Ohio-based Parker Hannifin
Corporation manufactures everything from adhesives and aircraft
components to fuel injection nozzles and heat pumps. Specializing in
motion and control technologies for commercial, mobile, industrial and
aerospace industries, Parker employs 46,000 people in 44 countries and
boasts annual sales of $6 million.
Under Parker’s massive
umbrella are several entities, including aerospace, seals and filtration
groups. Racor Division is a major component of the filtration group.
The company produces a range of engine-protection products, such as fuel
filters and water separators for diesel and gas engines, for industries
that depend on engine power. Markets include agriculture, construction,
marine, mining and trucking.
The largest of four Racor Division
branches across the U.S. is located at 3400 Finch Road in Modesto. The
local manufacturing facility employs about 600 of the 900 total U.S.
Racor staff.
Some assembly required
The majority of
Racor employees and temporary associates perform light industrial
production on assembly lines. By “lining up” at a series of
workstations, workers can create and inspect products efficiently.
Supplying parts to the lines and driving forklifts from the warehouse to
the plant are material handlers. Other positions include assembly line
leads, team leaders, supervisors, line mechanics, electricians, value
stream managers and a plant manager.
Job seekers interested in
hourly production work are advised to check with the Employment
Development Department (EDD) periodically, says Sheryle Knott, human
resources assistant for Racor. Experience is preferred but not required.
“Most of the hiring we do is for production, although we also hire
material handlers, warehouse people, die casters and other personnel. We
look for assemblers who have any kind of production or assembly
experience, not just in a manufacturing plant,” Knott explains.
“Applicants need a high school diploma or GED.” She says the company
checks the length of candidates’ previous employment and does not hire
relatives.
Departments in the manufacturing facility include
shipping and receiving, tool and die, die cast, plastics, assembly and
maintenance. In greatest demand are die cast operators and tool and die
department workers. Knott says Racor seeks experienced individuals for
each role, but occasionally trains assemblers to become die cast
operators. Tool and die department positions require more skilled
workers, which can be hard to find.
Incorporating the best
Racor’s
corporate office is in Cleveland, Ohio, although the offices in Modesto
house a number of departments including customer service, sales and
marketing, research and development, engineering, information systems,
accounting and human resources. The general manager for all four Racor
locations is based in Modesto.
In total there are about 175
office positions at this location. Office opportunities can be secured
through newspaper ads, college recruiting, internships and job fairs.
Some job openings are posted on www.parker.com and are occasionally
listed on www.monster.com.
Forward momentum
Racor hires
and advances from its extensive pool of in-house candidates. “We have a
lot of opportunities for advancement,” Knott notes. “We do a lot of
promotion from within, through in-house postings. If no one meets the
requirements, then we go to the outside. For supervisors and value
stream managers, we definitely start from within.”
Employee
benefits offered through the corporate office include medical, dental,
vision, life insurance, personal accident insurance, health and
dependent care reimbursement accounts, 401K retirement savings and a
pension plan. Extras include service awards, employee luncheons, health
screenings and recognition for excellent ideas.
For information
about career opportunities with Parker Hannifin Corporation and/or Racor
Division, contact EDD and visit the following Web sites: www.parker.com
and www.monster.com.
Numbers to know
• Manufacturing is the largest of the goods-producing industries in terms of employment
• Manufacturing employees outnumber construction and mining workers by nearly 3 to 1
• Average workweek, nationwide: 40.9 hours
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
© HHWS for The Modesto Bee
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