HAMILTON, Ohio — At a time when many people are looking for work, thyssenkrupp Bilstein in Hamilton has dozens of openings.
Even still, the largest, world-class manufacturer in Hamilton said applicants have been hard to come by, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Usually we don't see this amount of open positions,” said president and CEO Fabian Schmahl of the roughly 50 available jobs.
Inside thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, part of a 140-year-old European company with a location in Hamilton for about 25 years, each robot and each hand has a part in building suspensions for vehicles.
"It's awesome to build a product you can see,” Schmahl said. “I have it in my own vehicle."
Schmahl said the company is nearly 700 strong, and growing.
"We actually have grown for 10 years in a row," he said. “We're adding new products."
Schmahl knows many job seekers have concerns about COVID-19, which is why the company has put new pandemic precautions in place.
"We're moving equipment apart ... We're hanging curtains up. We are doing a lot of things to help social distancing,” he said.
Now, employees can use amplifiers with speakers in noisier parts of the building to speak from a distance without getting close together. The manufacturer also has a hospital-grade HVAC system.
Stephanie Flannery, the company's occupational safety and health manager, said Bilstein also has a full-time nurse through TriHealth.
They're also listening to employees’ suggestions to make the workplace safer.
“We offer multiple types of masks,” she said. “Getting feedback from them as well -- what makes them feel more comfortable.
"I'd let my family work here,” Flannery said. “That's how safe I feel it is."
Schmahl says the jobs are available, and they're willing to train the right hire.
"That's one of the big benefits of the company,” he said. “Not only can you have a job here, but you can have a career."
