Grow With Us: The People of Felling, Robby Horn, Lead Welder

Felling Trailers has been proudly manufacturing trailers for over 45 years. 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 – 26.” 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. To continue our series, we would like you to meet Robby Horn, Lead Welder Night Shift, Felling Trailers, Inc., Sauk Centre.

Meet Robby

Learning a Trade

Robby joined the Felling Trailers’ team in the summer of 2014 as an entry-level welder on the night shift weld production team. “I graduated high school in 2013, then went to Alex Tech (Alexandria Technical College) for welding (Welding Technology), then started at Felling when I completed the program,” said Robby. “When I was in high school, I had two part-time jobs, one was in a lumber yard, and the other was installing windows/doors and building sunrooms in Brainerd. I was interested in welding, so I went to school for that.”

Part of the Night Shift Team

As part of the weld production team, Robby has worked in various build areas. Depending on trailer orders and product demand, a welder can work in multiple build areas, from small trailers to large, to specialty, to project weld, or operating the steel saws prepping materials for the next build. A bit of flexibility comes with the position; this is especially true on the Night shift team. The Night Shift team’s shift starts with an update on builds that are a priority for completion, along with any builds that need to be prepped for the next day. The team begins their shift at 4:30 pm, working until 3 am Monday-Thursday. Felling’s Night Shift team is comprised of the same departments as the day shift, production weld, paint & blast, fabrication, material handlers, and finishing.

Moving Forward

As time went on, the opportunity to transition to Lead Welder became available. “I was the most knowledgeable in the area at the time and was ready for the move,” said Robby. As Lead Welder, Robby coordinates the welding of parts, components, and trailers for his weld team. He also inspects the completed work to ensure that it meets or exceeds Felling Trailers Weld Standard.

“The company has grown a lot, new buildings, new equipment like the laser and robots, and more people”

– Robby, Lead Welder Night Shift

Since joining the Felling Trailers team 8-years ago, Robby has seen and been a part of the many changes and improvements in the Felling Trailers manufacturing facility. “The company has grown a lot, new buildings, new equipment like the laser and robots, and more people,” said Robby. We are glad to have Robby as part of our team. Thank you, Robby!   

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-sixth feature in our “Grow with Us” series.  Read the other stories about Juan Juarez, Lead Painter, Chris Senger, Senior Material Handler, Johnny Woodman, Lead Welder, Lloyd Shoutz, Maintenance Technician, Warren Weber, Product Manager, Scott Brown, Parts & Service Supervisor, Jim Robischion, Accounting Coordinator, Wade Skillings, Lead Machine Operator, Jacob Meyer, Inside Trailer Sales, Bob Vangstad, Painter, Chad Steinhofer, Lead Welder, Benji Hudalla, Final Inspector, Nathan Uphus, Sales, Sheri Leonard, Human Resource & Safety Coordinator, and Kristie Moritz, Scheduling Coordinator.