Wayne Werling likes to change things up – even in his work at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST). Werling is a team lead working on hydraulic cylinder seals in the injection molding department at the Troy plant. He joined the company as a temporary worker on the Fluid Power Competence Center’s team. Six years and a number of career moves later, he has advanced to full-time team lead in two departments.
Werling became aware of Freudenberg’s Troy facility through a temp agency while he was still exploring career options. A job running an injection molding machine at Troy seemed interesting, and it certainly was one of the best paying positions available at the time. He pursued employment at the plant, despite having no experience with injection molding equipment. “It was all new to me,” he recalls. But he was confident. “I catch on to stuff quickly, and I’ve been moving up and around since I was hired.”
He completed his training on a machine and became acquainted with the basic workflow. Then, while still a temp employee, he moved to the glue department to pursue permanent employment. “That was a way to get hired and start growing with the company,” he explains. It worked – and during his first year there, he advanced to senior operator. Then he returned to injection molding. When a co-worker in that division took some medical leave, Werling was encouraged to train as a back-up lead. “I knew it was something that I could take on and learn. So, I went ahead and did that,” he recounts.
This landed him in the team lead position he holds now. Werling oversees a group of seven operators who ensure that the injection molding machines are steadily cycling parts for hydraulic cylinder seals. The operators also inspect the finished parts and check for visual defects. If there are any issues, they turn to Werling. He gives them basic instructions and works to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that may surface. Should a problem prove beyond resolution, Werling escalates it to the management.
Werling also sets up the injection molding machines. He configures the equipment according to the different jobs, inserts new tooling and enters the appropriate process parameters for each task. He is also responsible for checking all measurements and runs sample parts to assess the quality.
At the same time, he maintains a sense of humor and projects an easy-going, approachable attitude. His – sometimes unconventional – appearance may help break the ice. For example, when he spikes his hair. “Somebody suggested it, and I thought it would look cool and be fun,” he explains. “I’ve colored it, I’ve spiked it, and I’ve had a tonsure – I shaved the back half and left the rest. I am who I am, and I’m totally comfortable with that.” He adds: “I try to have fun because we’re here 8 to 10 hours a day. I’m just trying to bring a little joy and lightness to everybody.”
People like you and I
Here we give the floor to our coworkers in various manufacturing roles. In this edition, we introduce Wayne Werling, who works at the Lead Center Fluid Power in Troy, Ohio.
