Vishay Dale Electrocics Vishay Dale Electronics is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components. Their components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, including industrial, computer, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies and medical markets. According to Bernie LeCates, Human Resource Manager, “Vishay is not only a local company with local people working here, but our work has a profound effect in the world today as we are the main division for the ‘inductors’ sector worldwide. Many of our employees visit our other sites in China, Israel and Mexico regularly.” Because Vishay Dale has many tenured employees, it was hard to pick a select few. Instead we gathered together seven of them with a combined 301 years of experience! That’s an average of 43 years per person! I’ll admit I think that’s quite admirable and quite the accomplishment if someone can commit to an organization for so many years. My recruits from Vishay Dale and their time with the company are as follows: Ardyth Ament, Assembler II, 52 years this November; Donna Bruening, Purchasing Manager, 38 years; Helen Ekeren, Assembly worker, 51 years; Robin Goeden, Sr. Production Supervisor, 40 years; Karen Kuchta, Planning Supervisor, 36 years; Vickie Rose, Assembler II & certified solderer, nearly 44 years and Carol Tweedy, Logistics Clerk, 40 years. These women got their start with Vishay Dale for various reasons, Ament was interested in working for a manufacturing plant, Goeden and her husband recently moved back to Yankton, Rose opted for the company because of the location close to her hometown, and the others applied after seeing an employment advertisement. These hard-working women do more than spend their time at the company, though. They each have a variety of hobbies and share some common interests. Spending time with family, friends and grandchildren is a favorite hobby to many. Ament and Ekeren like to work with flowers while Bruening and Goeden enjoy gardening. Ament watches birds from her windows, Bruening likes boating and refinishing antiques and Ekeren enjoys attending all of her grandchildren’s events. Goeden likes crafting, Kuchta enjoys camping and walking and Rose likes to sew and put together puzzles in the winter. Rose also creates jewelry, designing it and making it herself. And Tweedy? Judging from the happy faces on her interview sheet that she completed for me, she’s a happy-spirited person, enjoying reading, walking and riding bike. With such a mix of talented and committed employees, our manufacturing companies are sure to succeed and flourish. My husband works in manufacturing and I have gotten the privilege to meet many remarkable women and make wonderful friends. Manufacturing week gives everyone a chance to visit these organizations and meet their hard-working employees. Let’s take this opportunity to make some new friends! vBy Julie Eickhoff Mark your calendars! Each Tuesday we will sample recipes made from items found in our store. Featuring foods, snacks, drinks, apparel, soaps, candles, gifts, photography and art from the Great Plains states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota! follow us on FACEBOOK 109 Capitol St. Yankton, SD HERVOICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015v21