EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT: Liebherr Mining Equipment
Paul Miller, Welding Technician Training Specialist and Rachel Swicegood, HR Specialist
Hans Liebherr established the company that bears his name in 1949. The great success of his first mobile, easy-to-assemble, and affordable tower crane was the foundation on which the company flourished. Since then, Liebherr has grown into a group of more than 130 companies on all continents, employing approximately 42,000 people. Today, Liebherr is not only among the world’s largest manufacturers of construction machinery, it is an acknowledged supplier of technically advanced-user-oriented products and services in 10 different divisions, whose central pillar is striving for the highest quality in everything they do.
The mining division in Hampton Roads, Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News, Co. (LME), builds one of the world’s largest diesel electric mining trucks designed to handle payloads of up to 400 tons for the international mining industry since the mid-1990’s.
Liebherr’s Newport News facility has 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and 78,000 square feet of office space, located on 77 acres. Since moving into the mining industry, Liebherr’s equipment has set standards in open-cast mining operations around the world. Through advanced technologies, long-life components and comprehensive customer service, Liebherr mining trucks and excavators ensure the highest levels of time and cost efficiency, even under the toughest conditions.
Liebherr believes in building tomorrows’ leaders today with an emphasis on projects and initiatives that help students remain on the cutting-edge of innovation and advanced technology education. For this reason Liebherr is passionate about its partnership with ATI, which first began in 2005, when the company had a need for diesel mechanics/technicians.
The partnership grew after ATI introduced the Maritime Welding Program. Over the past twelve years, Liebherr has recruited many ATI graduates for crucial fitter and welder positions within the company. Liebherr has also served as a valuable resource on ATI’s Welding Advisory Committee.
Liebherr has three state-approved apprenticeship programs including industrial welding, painting and assembly, coordinated by Paul Miller, LME technical/training specialist, and Rachel Swicegood, LME HR specialist. Upon graduation, students begin a full time career path with Liebherr in their chosen field. Liebherr has remained dedicated to helping students develop into future leaders who strive for the highest quality in everything they do.
