Kenworth is a manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty Class 8 trucks based in Kirkland, Washington, United States, a suburb of Seattle. It is a subsidiary of PACCAR, and is also a former manufacturer of transit buses and school buses.
Kenworth began its history in Portland, Oregon. In 1912, the company was founded by brothers George T. and Louis Gerlinger, Jr. as a car and truck dealership known as Gerlinger Motor Car Works. In 1914, they decided to build their own truck with a more powerful inline six-cylinder engine. This was the first ever put into a commercial truck. The Gersix, as it was known, unveiled in 1915, was framed in structural steel, which along with its power, made the truck ideal for the rugged Northwest,[1] where it was used for logging.[2]
The classic Kenworth (W900)
In 1916 the Gerlinger Motor Car Company moved to Tacoma, Washington. Seattle businessman Edgar K. Worthington was managing his mother's commercial building, where Gerlinger became a tenant, and became intrigued by the Gerlinger company. Worthington's tenant was doing quite well, or so it seemed, and the Gersix became a popular fixture in the Northwest.[3] However, the company, which then had offices in Seattle and Portland, was struggling and in 1917, Louis Gerlinger offered the manufacturing operation for sale. Worthington jumped at the opportunity. Together with his partner, Captain Frederick Kent, they formed the Gersix Manufacturing Company, to continue making a six-cylinder truck.[citation needed]
In 1919, Kent retired from the business and his son, Harry, became Worthington's new partner.[3] In 1922, Gersix made 53 trucks at its factory on Fairview Avenue at Valley Street. Under the new name, the company moved to 506 Mercer Street and later to 1263 Mercer Street. Trucks and motor coaches were assembled in individual bays rather than on a conventional assembly line.[4]
Kenworth was founded in 1923, taking the first three letters of "Kent" and the first five of "Worthington", capitalized with US$60,000. The following year, the company sold 80 trucks. In 1933[citation needed] Kenworth became the first truck maker in the United States to switch entirely from gasoline to diesel internal combustion engines.
Greg Kaias founded Preston General Engineering in 1971 in the Melbourne suburb of Preston. The company built a reputation for delivering quality products on time. It was in these early years that PGE became a supplier to Kenworth and we are now an integral part of Kenworth’s success.
Greg’s sons, James and John, joined the business in the eighties and working together the company continued to grow. In the early nineties, they had out grown their original building. So a green field site was chosen in Barry Road, Campbellfield to be their new home.
To better service their customers the company was divided into two divisions, Preston General Engineering (PGE) and Preston Structural Steel (PSS), with Abcor being the parent company. Greg Kaias is still involved as the chairman of Abcor, his sons John and James are the directors of PGE and PSS.
In 2009 Abcor purchased the manufacturing equipment and intellectual property of Bocar’s truck bumper and bull bar division. This acquisition has given PGE increased capacity and capability to service our customers.
At the heart of our manufacturing process is a robust document and process control system. PGE is ISO 9001 accredited. These processes and attention to detail ensure our warranty returns and late deliveries are less than 50 ppm.
We have experienced employees and high employee retention rates. We have more than 70 employees with ten years average service and no union presence. Our operation consists of four facilities and we are capable of manufacturing 1 to 1,000,000 parts per annum.
We manufacture more than 13,000 different parts, for the following industries: -
Truck and Bus Defence Automotive Mining
Aeronautical Construction Beverage Food
PGE is a leader in processing mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium into products we see and use everyday. We manufacture parts ranging in size and complexity from truck chassis rails to car audio brackets, polished aluminium bull bars and stainless steel grab rails.
Cooper Leasing, Inc. is looking for experienced diesel technicians to join our team at our MEMPHIS, TN location.
Candidate must have at least three-four years of demonstrated heavy duty truck or medium duty truck maintenance experience. Maintenance experience should include preventative to specific heavy duty engine repair and service.
Great benefits and pay. Benefits include medical and dental for employees, life insurance, furnished uniforms, tool insurance, vacation, sick, 401K, short term disability, long term disability, flexible spending account.
If you are qualified and looking for a career opportunity with a growing company, you have found it. We pride ourselves in our outstanding customer service and employee retention.
Strategic Approach to Human Resources
Compare and contrast the traditional HR role to the strategic partnering role in the public and private sectors.
Evaluate recruiting and selection approaches in order to determine if they meet organizational objectives.
Determine approaches to increase employee retention.
Performance Management
Identify the components of an effective performance management system.
Choose appropriate performance feedback techniques in order to align employee behavior with organizational objectives.
Develop effective employee reward systems.
Training and Organizational Development
Explore the role of HR in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of training programs.
Examine the role and responsibility of HR in organizational development and change management.
Conflict Resolution Systems
Describe approaches to the resolution of employee disagreements.
Compare and contrast alternative dispute resolution methods.
Employee and Labor Relations
Examine the collective bargaining process.
Apply the functions of HR to create and sustain a high-performance organization.
Most of our benefits are available to eligible employees the first of the month after 90 days of employment.
MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE
MHC offers a national Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and an extensive prescription drug program, which covers medically necessary prescription drugs. The premium employees pay for coverage is competitive.
DENTAL COVERAGE
Dental insurance, an important part of your overall health coverage, includes everything from semi-annual teeth cleaning to orthodontia.
BASIC TERM LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT COVERAGE
MHC provides basic life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage for eligible employees. The amount of coverage is $20,000. Premiums are paid by MHC. Additional voluntary term life insurance coverage is also available.
DISABILITY INSURANCE
The purpose of disability insurance is to provide replacement income when personal injury or sickness causes you to be absent from work. Voluntary short and long term disability insurance is available.
PROFIT SHARING AND 401K SAVINGS PLAN
The Profit Sharing feature can reward eligible participants with a discretionary, employer-funded contribution to your retirement savings. The 401K feature allows pretax contributions, which the company will match 75% of the first 5% of salary you contribute. Eligible employees may participate in the Profit Sharing and 401K Plan on the first entry date after 90 days of employment.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
A flexible spending account is a separate benefit plan that allows you to direct a part of your pay, on a pre-tax basis, into a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse yourself for certain medical or dependent care out-of-pocket expenses. Because this money goes into your flexible spending account before federal or state income or Social Security taxes are withheld, you pay less in taxes, and ultimately, have more disposable income.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
MHC encourages furthering your academic education by providing financial assistance for studies related to your work or advancement within the company.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program is confidential and free to all employees. The EAP provides information, resources, counseling, audio library services and referrals when you and/or your family members need some practical help with a personal situation that is troublesome or challenging.
PAID TIME OFF (PTO)
Instead of the traditional vacation, holiday and sick leave programs, MHC offers a PTO benefit program. Our generous, industry-leading PTO program allows 17 paid days off your first year of employment. The number of paid days off is based on your years of service and increases to 27 paid days off after 10 years of service.
Kenworth began its history in Portland, Oregon. In 1912, the company was founded by brothers George T. and Louis Gerlinger, Jr. as a car and truck dealership known as Gerlinger Motor Car Works. In 1914, they decided to build their own truck with a more powerful inline six-cylinder engine. This was the first ever put into a commercial truck. The Gersix, as it was known, unveiled in 1915, was framed in structural steel, which along with its power, made the truck ideal for the rugged Northwest,[1] where it was used for logging.[2]
The classic Kenworth (W900)
In 1916 the Gerlinger Motor Car Company moved to Tacoma, Washington. Seattle businessman Edgar K. Worthington was managing his mother's commercial building, where Gerlinger became a tenant, and became intrigued by the Gerlinger company. Worthington's tenant was doing quite well, or so it seemed, and the Gersix became a popular fixture in the Northwest.[3] However, the company, which then had offices in Seattle and Portland, was struggling and in 1917, Louis Gerlinger offered the manufacturing operation for sale. Worthington jumped at the opportunity. Together with his partner, Captain Frederick Kent, they formed the Gersix Manufacturing Company, to continue making a six-cylinder truck.[citation needed]
In 1919, Kent retired from the business and his son, Harry, became Worthington's new partner.[3] In 1922, Gersix made 53 trucks at its factory on Fairview Avenue at Valley Street. Under the new name, the company moved to 506 Mercer Street and later to 1263 Mercer Street. Trucks and motor coaches were assembled in individual bays rather than on a conventional assembly line.[4]
Kenworth was founded in 1923, taking the first three letters of "Kent" and the first five of "Worthington", capitalized with US$60,000. The following year, the company sold 80 trucks. In 1933[citation needed] Kenworth became the first truck maker in the United States to switch entirely from gasoline to diesel internal combustion engines.
Greg Kaias founded Preston General Engineering in 1971 in the Melbourne suburb of Preston. The company built a reputation for delivering quality products on time. It was in these early years that PGE became a supplier to Kenworth and we are now an integral part of Kenworth’s success.
Greg’s sons, James and John, joined the business in the eighties and working together the company continued to grow. In the early nineties, they had out grown their original building. So a green field site was chosen in Barry Road, Campbellfield to be their new home.
To better service their customers the company was divided into two divisions, Preston General Engineering (PGE) and Preston Structural Steel (PSS), with Abcor being the parent company. Greg Kaias is still involved as the chairman of Abcor, his sons John and James are the directors of PGE and PSS.
In 2009 Abcor purchased the manufacturing equipment and intellectual property of Bocar’s truck bumper and bull bar division. This acquisition has given PGE increased capacity and capability to service our customers.
At the heart of our manufacturing process is a robust document and process control system. PGE is ISO 9001 accredited. These processes and attention to detail ensure our warranty returns and late deliveries are less than 50 ppm.
We have experienced employees and high employee retention rates. We have more than 70 employees with ten years average service and no union presence. Our operation consists of four facilities and we are capable of manufacturing 1 to 1,000,000 parts per annum.
We manufacture more than 13,000 different parts, for the following industries: -
Truck and Bus Defence Automotive Mining
Aeronautical Construction Beverage Food
PGE is a leader in processing mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium into products we see and use everyday. We manufacture parts ranging in size and complexity from truck chassis rails to car audio brackets, polished aluminium bull bars and stainless steel grab rails.
Cooper Leasing, Inc. is looking for experienced diesel technicians to join our team at our MEMPHIS, TN location.
Candidate must have at least three-four years of demonstrated heavy duty truck or medium duty truck maintenance experience. Maintenance experience should include preventative to specific heavy duty engine repair and service.
Great benefits and pay. Benefits include medical and dental for employees, life insurance, furnished uniforms, tool insurance, vacation, sick, 401K, short term disability, long term disability, flexible spending account.
If you are qualified and looking for a career opportunity with a growing company, you have found it. We pride ourselves in our outstanding customer service and employee retention.
Strategic Approach to Human Resources
Compare and contrast the traditional HR role to the strategic partnering role in the public and private sectors.
Evaluate recruiting and selection approaches in order to determine if they meet organizational objectives.
Determine approaches to increase employee retention.
Performance Management
Identify the components of an effective performance management system.
Choose appropriate performance feedback techniques in order to align employee behavior with organizational objectives.
Develop effective employee reward systems.
Training and Organizational Development
Explore the role of HR in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of training programs.
Examine the role and responsibility of HR in organizational development and change management.
Conflict Resolution Systems
Describe approaches to the resolution of employee disagreements.
Compare and contrast alternative dispute resolution methods.
Employee and Labor Relations
Examine the collective bargaining process.
Apply the functions of HR to create and sustain a high-performance organization.
Most of our benefits are available to eligible employees the first of the month after 90 days of employment.
MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE
MHC offers a national Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and an extensive prescription drug program, which covers medically necessary prescription drugs. The premium employees pay for coverage is competitive.
DENTAL COVERAGE
Dental insurance, an important part of your overall health coverage, includes everything from semi-annual teeth cleaning to orthodontia.
BASIC TERM LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT COVERAGE
MHC provides basic life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage for eligible employees. The amount of coverage is $20,000. Premiums are paid by MHC. Additional voluntary term life insurance coverage is also available.
DISABILITY INSURANCE
The purpose of disability insurance is to provide replacement income when personal injury or sickness causes you to be absent from work. Voluntary short and long term disability insurance is available.
PROFIT SHARING AND 401K SAVINGS PLAN
The Profit Sharing feature can reward eligible participants with a discretionary, employer-funded contribution to your retirement savings. The 401K feature allows pretax contributions, which the company will match 75% of the first 5% of salary you contribute. Eligible employees may participate in the Profit Sharing and 401K Plan on the first entry date after 90 days of employment.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
A flexible spending account is a separate benefit plan that allows you to direct a part of your pay, on a pre-tax basis, into a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse yourself for certain medical or dependent care out-of-pocket expenses. Because this money goes into your flexible spending account before federal or state income or Social Security taxes are withheld, you pay less in taxes, and ultimately, have more disposable income.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
MHC encourages furthering your academic education by providing financial assistance for studies related to your work or advancement within the company.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program is confidential and free to all employees. The EAP provides information, resources, counseling, audio library services and referrals when you and/or your family members need some practical help with a personal situation that is troublesome or challenging.
PAID TIME OFF (PTO)
Instead of the traditional vacation, holiday and sick leave programs, MHC offers a PTO benefit program. Our generous, industry-leading PTO program allows 17 paid days off your first year of employment. The number of paid days off is based on your years of service and increases to 27 paid days off after 10 years of service.