LIEBHERR LOOKS TO HOBART
TO FILL JOB OPENINGS

A graduate of the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in 1983 and of the Ohio State University, and currently Assistant Vice President - Manufacturing of Liebherr Mining Equipment Company in Newport News, Virginia, Cort Reiser visited the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in early March to talk with students and conduct testing of those students seeking employment with his company.  Accompanying Cort was Jimmy Pfizenmayer, General Foreman of the welding department and Michael Martin, CWI, of the quality control department.

“Finding good skilled welders is a challenge,” says Cort Reiser.  “We are trying to stay ahead of the curve by bringing  in welders who we can train in the workplace values of Liebherr.”

Cort stressed that Liebherr is seeking employees who will “Be there. Be on time. Be in their work area. Be productive.”  The strong work ethic is very important to this company, as it is to many employers throughout the country.

“Cooperation between our school and welding employers is very beneficial to our students,” says Ron Scott, Vice President of Hobart Institute.  “And the work ethic aspect is one we hear echoed throughout the welding industry.” 

Having attended Hobart Institute, Cort is knowledgeable about the high quality of the training students receive.  And he is well attuned to how his training has played a part in his own career. 

“Hobart Institute opened all the doorways for me.  It was the foundation of my career.  At Hobart, you not only learn how to weld, but also you learn about welding,” Cort commented.  “It is important to know about the metals and the equipment.  The technical guides that Hobart offers are very helpful in that learning process.”   

Liebherr Mining Equipment Company in Newport News designs and manufactures large dumper trucks and maintenance tools for the mining industry. The range of mining trucks use high horsepower diesel engines combined with electric drive systems to contribute to the hauling efficiency required by large, open pit mines.  The largest of these vehicles is the T 282 B that has a maximum operating weight of 652.5 tons, with a payload class of 400 tons, and travels a maximum of 40 miles per hour. 

The plant in Virginia uses flux and metal cored welding processes in manufacturing and refurbishing the mining equipment in the plant that welds, paints, and assembles the equipment for use in the United States and throughout the world. 

In addition to these transportation vehicles, Liebherr produces self-propelled service tools specifically designed for the large mining trucks.  A few of these items include the Wheel Handler, the Super Jacks III and IV, and a Multi Handler 4500.  The use of these service tools is the best way to safely remove and replace the large components on the trucks.   

“We are a large company,” explains Cort, “but we are small enough to focus on our customers.  The quality of our product speaks for itself and exceeds what is currently being offered in the mining industry by our competitors.”

Established in 1970, the Newport News production site is part of the Liebherr Group, a family business that was established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr in Switzerland when he manufactured his first mobile, easy-to-assemble and affordable tower crane.  It is the largest, privately owned construction equipment manufacturer in the world and a supplier of technically innovative, user-oriented products and services.  The group is now divided into 80 company units that operate independently throughout the world with a workforce of over 20,000 people.  There are 260 employed at the Newport News facility.   

 Further information may be obtained from:
Liebherr Mining Equipment Ltd.
Attn:  Paula Seminario
4100 Chestnut Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
(757) 245-5251
URL:  http://www.liebherr.com
E-mail:  info@lme.liebherr.com