Airstream

 August 26, 2024

Wapakoneta KOA site 20

Wapakoneta, Ohio

Wow Dad!  The Ram sure does sparkle!!  I thought you were just going to fuel up and pick up a few things.  It certainly appears that you found a car wash that did a GREAT job getting rid of all that road grime.  

I'd say the Ram is just as shiny as those bright silver, bullet shaped, Airstream campers you saw being built this afternoon at the factory.  

Not only does Airstream offer numerous 'perks' for their employees, they treat their visitors well.

The free popcorn got Momma's vote!!  

This factory was built about 5 years ago.  There is a large, air conditioned lobby area complete with gift shop and snack bar in the area where the visitors gather to begin their tour before passing through the glass doors into the non-air conditioned work area.

Our tour leader guided everyone through the process of collecting safety glasses and ear buds (head sets for those wearing hearing aids) allowing everyone to clearly hear the information being shared.

And of course there was a no pictures rule once everyone passed through the doors into the work area where 500 workers .... about 80 of them clerical in offices ... worked in teams to assemble those shiny Airstream campers with the rounded edges.

Much of the work is done 'in house' with machines that laser cut and machines that stretch and bend the metal around forms to create the perfect piece needed for a tight, well sealed final product. Even the rivet hole are lasered for perfection.  The curtains are even sewn in house....but not the cushions.  

Unlike many other companies, Airstream builds their units from the outside in.  Once the outside shell is created and passes the water test to assure there are no leaks, the inside is completed.  The thoughts are, you can't really tell if there are leaks if you can't see and feel the inside walls.  The whole build process takes 8-9 days per unit.

Perks for the employees include an on site medical center and pharmacy that families can use, a cafeteria with low priced meals, and even ice pops handed out during the last scheduled break of the shift to help combat the non airconditioned/ fan cooled environment. Workers are scheduled with a 9 hour shift Monday thru Thursay with a half day on Friday, allowing Friday afternoon to be used to schedule any possible overtime that might be needed.

 

The tour was informative due to the extensive knowledge of the guide who used a mic with the visitors wearing head sets allowing everyone to capture every word.  Well done!!

Of course the two-legged missed out on the ice pops so they made a stop at Dairy Queen.  It was still early enough in the day that it didn't spoil their appetite so they could enjoy the marinated pork chops from Yoders Meatmarket that Dad tossed on the grill.  Unfortunately, they guarded the leftovers so I wasn't able to pull off one of my famous stealth maneuvers.

I'm Chloe