Here’s how 84 Lumber manages growth
Eighty Four, Pennsylvania-based 84 Lumber has big plans to expand its footprint, including the opening of new component manufacturing facilities from Northern California to South Carolina.
Those new plants aren’t going to run themselves. And that’s where the company’s Production Manager Trainee (MT) program comes in.
“The opening of new component plants is not just about expansion for 84 Lumber but creating new avenues of growth and advancement for our associates,” said 84 Lumber’s Vice President of Installed Sales and Manufacturing Ken Kucera.
In a recent press release, 84 Lumber shared details of its MT program, including the following:
The Production MT program is designed to prepare an apprentice in the components sector for a production manager position. During the 12-month training program, the production M.T. participates in a mix of on-the-job and classroom training, leadership courses, a Lean Green Belt program, and other improvement projects.
In addition, 84 Lumber provides training that includes a new hire orientation curriculum, emerging leadership training, and a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People course.
Following the completion of the production M.T. program, the associate is eligible for promotion based on performance, moving up as a production associate. From there, the associate can work their way up to production manager.
The production manager is responsible for most aspects of component manufacturing and people management at a plant. The associate understands current production practices and how to form new ones. Production managers ensure the accuracy of 84 Lumber’s quality control program, participate in hourly associate evaluations, participate in inventories, audit outgoing loads for completeness, and other tasks.
The next position following promotion is the plant manager, followed by general manager, who is responsible for all aspects of component manufacturing, associates, plant profits and losses, among other duties.
“We want them to know everything, from the time the job is sent to the shop to the time it leaves the plant,” said Tyler VanOlst, component plant general manager at 84 Lumber’s Winchester truss plant.
Cade Templeton and Daniel Anazgo Morales are both production Manager trainee at 84 Lumber’s truss plant in Winchester, Virginia.
“They’ve taught me something new every single day, from how to build a truss to using the big saws,” said Anazgo Morales.
Added Templeton: “I think that’s the great thing about 84 and this program that they’re offering. If you come in every day ready to get your hands dirty, you’re eager to learn, they’ll provide you with the tools and the training to be successful.”
84 Lumber operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 33 states.
