Spend enough time in one department and you learn how that area operates. Spend time in several departments over three decades and you gain a much broader perspective.

That's been Lewis Hartzell's experience at Weber Knapp. Over the last 31 years, he's worked in multiple areas throughout the company, building knowledge that now helps him in his role as part of the maintenance team.

His journey started in 1994 through a temporary service. What began as a short-term opportunity turned into a career that has taken him across much of the facility and given him firsthand experience with many aspects of Weber Knapp's operations.

A Career That Moved Through the Facility

Lewis' path at Weber Knapp has been anything but ordinary.

He started as a temporary employee before spending time as a material handler. After that, he moved into setup and was hired full-time in September 1995. Over the years, he continued taking on new opportunities and learning new skills.

Over the years, Lewis has worked in several areas throughout Weber Knapp, including:

• Material Handling
• Setup
• Machine Room
• Short-run Production
• Press Room
• Maintenance

That experience gave him a broad understanding of the people, equipment, and processes involved in manufacturing Weber Knapp products.

He spent 13 years in setup while also helping with maintenance work. From there, he transferred to the machine room, where he worked for 12 years and served as back-up foreman. Later, he spent time in short-run production and the press room before moving into maintenance full-time about two years ago.

Each department gave him a different perspective on the work being done throughout the facility and helped build the experience he relies on today.

Solving Problems in Maintenance

A typical day for Lewis centers around keeping equipment running.

"Fixing broken-down machinery" is how he sums it up.

While that description may sound simple, maintenance work often requires patience and persistence. Equipment issues don't always have obvious answers, and every repair presents a different challenge.

One lesson Lewis has learned over the years is not to shy away from difficult problems.

"Don't be scared to try something that's hard to do," he says. "Always find a way to fix it."

That mindset has helped him grow throughout his career and continues to guide the way he approaches his work today.

Finding Pride in the Journey

When asked what accomplishment stands out most, Lewis points to the path his career has taken.

He's proud of being able to work his way through different departments and continue growing within the company.

Starting at an entry-level position and building experience across multiple areas of the facility gave him opportunities to learn, take on new responsibilities, and develop new skills along the way.

That progression reflects both his willingness to learn and Weber Knapp's commitment to helping employees grow throughout their careers.

Seeing Weber Knapp From Every Angle

After more than three decades with the company, Lewis has seen Weber Knapp from several different perspectives.

He's worked alongside employees in multiple departments and watched the company evolve over the years. Through it all, one thing has remained consistent.

"The management over 31 years has always felt like family as a group," he says.

That sense of connection is what stands out most when Lew reflects on his time at Weber Knapp. It's also a big part of why so many employees choose to build long-term careers here.

Representing Weber Knapp's Best

Lewis' story is one of adaptability, persistence, and continuous learning.

Over the course of 31 years, he's taken on new challenges, worked in several departments, and built a wide range of experience throughout the facility. Today, that knowledge helps him keep equipment running and support the teams around him.

His career is a reminder that growth often happens one opportunity at a time, and that a willingness to learn can open doors throughout an entire career.

Looking for Your Next Opportunity?

Many Weber Knapp employees have built long careers by taking on new challenges and growing their skills. View current openings and learn more about joining the team.