Hillsboro Industries says College is untapped resource
Staff writer
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce held its monthly breakfast meeting Dec. 7 in Hillsboro City Building.
Following a breakfast buffet provided by Panhandlers Catering, chamber president, Becky Nuss, introduced Phil Wyssenbach. Wyssenbach is president of Flint Hills Industries who hosted this month's chamber meeting.
Hillsboro Industries was bought out by Flint Hills Industries within the past year, and still operates under the Hillsboro Industries name.
Mike Gerken, chief operations officer at Hillsboro Industries, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the company.
Gerken told chamber members one of the greatest untapped resources for businesses in Hillsboro is Tabor College.
"I think Tabor is one of the best, least-used resources this town has," he said. "We have used this resource, and we plan to continue to use it."
Hillsboro Industries employs several students from Tabor College including a graphic arts student who redesigned all the company's graphics and logos.
According to Gerken, redesigning all their graphics and logos would have cost Hillsboro Industries approximately $20,000, but by employing a Tabor College student they were able to have the work done for about $3,000, which included the purchase of equipment and software.
The relationship isn't one-sided, according to Gerken. The students get something out of it, too.
"You can see the look of pride and accomplishment on their faces," he said.
Currently Hillsboro Industries employs 31 people in the shop, and a total of 45 employees. The company operates one shift and the focus at the moment is on new products.
The company sees the need to rearrange some of its departments and possibly add improvements like a loading dock for steel.
Among improvements made at Hillsboro Industries is an upgrade in paint and painting technique.
Before the buy-out, trailers were not primed and received only one coat of paint. Now they receive primer and two coats of top-of-the-line polyurethane.
Gerken says they aren't trying to compete with low end, poorly-made trailer builders. Hillsboro Industries offers a better product with top-grade paint, that according to Gerken, will stay glossy for 10 years.
Following the presentation by Hillsboro Industries, ballots were distributed for the election of four new chamber board members.
Ballots are due in the chamber office by Friday.
The annual chamber dinner will be Jan. 30. Dr. Linda Cantwell will be the guest speaker.
