Javier Salinas
Jose Salinas is part of a very special team doing very specialized things in Central States’ Lowell, Arkansas facility. Each day, he and Ciriaco Calderon start in the Trim Accessories department knowing that the day and each project could be very different from the previous day and quite possibly, a project they have never been asked to create before.
“Sometimes the special requests are easy and sometimes they are not,” Salinas, a 17-year employee-owner said. “We stay busy and enjoy the work. We help complete the whole package. We hand-create pieces that are the finishing touches.”
Those finishing touches come to Jose and Ciriaco through CAD drawings from the sales team or the customer for larger pieces. For smaller pieces, a combination of experience, putting the puzzle pieces of information together which may not always be complete, and instinct guides the way. Using notchers, presses, snips and other tools to handcraft each piece, this team of two gets it done.
Ciriaco Calderon
“You have to be very precise and sometimes we work from assumptions as the salesperson or the contractor may not have a solid idea of what they are needing,” Salinas commented. We use the information that we receive plus experience to create something unique.
If you work in this department, you have to be a 3D thinker. How will this one-of-a-kind piece look and function when ultimately installed. In many ways, these trim accessories are what will give someone’s home or business the finished appearance that the owner is looking for.
“Boxes are the pieces that I enjoy creating most,” Salinas said with a smile. “These corner boxes finish off the trim on a house or business giving it a clean look. The gutters fit inside and really complete a job.”
One of Central States’ missions is to create raving fans of both new and current customers. Both Jose and Ciriaco know that all too well each day. The opportunity for a company the size of Central States to offer these small touches which make a big impact, is part of the company’s foundational culture dating back to its first facility in Rogers, Arkansas in 1988 and company founder Mr. Carpenter’s insistence of always being “customer-first” in purpose.
“We have gotten really good at what we do, Salinas continued. “Other companies send their jobs to us as they can’t hand create what is needed. It is how we provide customer service as an employee-owner not only to our customers but also to those outside companies who rely on us to create things for them. I love it.”
To learn more about the different opportunities that exist within Central States and how you can join an employee-owned team that makes a difference, visit Careers at Central States (centralstatesco.com).
