Grow With Us: The People of Felling, Johnny Woodman, Lead Welder

Felling Trailers has been proudly manufacturing trailers for over 45 years trailers. Join us as we take a look back and see how much our company, along with our employees, has grown. Many of you may already know the story of how Felling Trailers started as a small fabrication shop in downtown Sauk Centre in 1974. Continuing to add to this story, we invite you to read our “Grow with Us Series – 22.” Here you will meet the people of Felling; we will share a bit about the people who have played a part in what our company is today and where we will be tomorrow. Some of the people you will meet have been with us for many years, some decades, and others are starting their careers at Felling. To continue our series, we would like you to meet Jonathan Woodman, Lead Welder, Felling Trailers, Inc., Litchfield.

Meet Johnny

Self-Taught Welder

Jonathan “Johnny” joined the Felling Trailers’ Litchfield team in March of 2014, working with the Weld Production team as a welder on the IT-I tilt trailer line. The IT-I industrial tilt trailers are one of Felling Trailers’ most popular drop deck tilt trailer designs. Johnny came to Felling with 20-years of welding experience, a self-taught welder (no formal schooling). He worked with Anderson Crane and Towmaster trailers before joining the Felling Trailer team. “I’ve been welding for about 20-years. I like building trailers,” said Johnny.

Building Trailers from Raw Materials

As part of the IT-I weld team, Johnny would review trailer blueprints and build documents to ensure the jig was set to the necessary build specifications. Working together with his team members, they would place materials, secure them in position, and begin the welding process. Once the welding process is complete, the weld team has taken the build from individual pieces of steel to a complete trailer frame that is then ready for the next production stage, blast, and paint.

Challenged to Learn and Do New Things

After a time, Johnny transitioned from the IT-I line to the Generator/Reel production line. As a welder, there is a bit of flexibility that comes with the position. “I wanted the challenge of learning new things and doing different things. I like the challenge. Now I am the lead welder on the Generator/Reel production line,” said Woodman. Based on workflow, trailer orders, and product demand, a welder can work in various build areas, like Johnny has, from IT-I tilts to generator and reel trailers.

“I like building trailers, and the people I work with are great.”

– Johnny Woodman, Lead Welder at Felling Trailers

Continuous Improvements to Facility & Processes

When asked why Johnny chose Felling Trailers to be where he worked, he said, “I like building trailers, and the people I work with are great.” Since joining the Felling Trailers team eight years ago, Johnny has seen and been a part of the company’s growth and change. “When I started here, there were two lines. There were a lot of improvements happening to the production area, things were a little disorganized, it has come a long way since I started. I do enjoy working here,” said Johnny. The Litchfield production facility opened its doors in 2012 and has continually strived to improve and streamline production flow and processes. Continuous improvements to the facility and production processes makes for an exciting place to work. We are glad to have Johnny as part of our team. Thank you, Johnny!

Learn more about Joining the Felling Trailers Team!

Are you interested in becoming part of the Felling Team? Learn more about a career at Felling Trailers and grow with us!

This is the twenty-first feature in our “Grow with Us” series.  Read the other stories about  Lloyd Schoutz, Maintenance Technician, Warren Weber, Product Manager,  Paul Pachan, Night Shift Supervisor, Scott Brown, Parts & Service Supervisor,  Jim Robischion, Accounting Coordinator, Wade Skillings, Lead Machine Operator, Jacob Meyer, Inside Trailer Sales, Bob Vangstad, Painter (retired), Chad Steinhofer, Lead Welder, Benji Hudalla, Final Inspector, Nathan Uphus, Sales, Sheri Leonard, Human Resource & Safety Coordinator, Greg Waletzko, Quality Assurance Manager (retired), and Kristie Moritz, Scheduling Coordinator.