East Penn Manufacturing Company

(Deka Batteries)

A science teacher’s tour ~ Summer 2011

By David Daniels

Oley Valley High School

IBb ProgramA comprehensive program for successful local businesses to show teachers what the future holds for our students.

East Penn Manufacturing Co.

4-day extensive tour of several

manufacturing plants and supporting

departments

Understanding the corporate mission

Comprehending the formula for Deka’s

success

Asking what attributes Deka’s employees

need to be successful

Educational Skills Needed

High School graduates to Physicians

All education and training is helpful

Exponential growth

Wonderful chances to advance

Willing to make considerations

Salary Ranges

Hourly from $15 to $24+

85% of employees are making batteries

Advancement is welcome from all

departments

Wonderfully uncommon benefits

Greatest Asset

Exponential Growth through – successful

sales, high quality products

Re-investment back into the company

Devoted workforce

Despite labor-intensive product lines,

Deka remains focused on what they do

well, constantly refine manufacturing

approaches

Technology

Tremendous investment in various machinery

Robotics, automated lines, ovens/chillers, material handling

Molding plant processing

New automotive building, distribution building, rail-accessible building

Communication at all levels

Biggest Challenge

Explosive growth Hiring levels raised to meet demand, training

Mandatory overtime

Automate wherever possible

Attaining and moving raw materials

Constraints of plant location

Safely using hazardous materials Environmental challenges, recycling

Workplace Success

Knowledge: mechanical would be nice

Skills: learn fast, listen well, stay consistent

Be open for change

Attitude: embrace the passion, understand how quickly the company is changing, prideful workplace

What to add to my class

Understand professionalism at all levels

Attendance is a simple key for success or

failure

Learn as much as possible, as quickly as

possible, it become’s your value to your

employer

Never underestimate the value of every

employee

Take advantage of all opportunities

Classroom Implementation

13.2.11.C: Career Acquisition

Develop and assemble career acquisition

documents As a classroom activity, I plan to direct each student to design and

construct their resume. Using the employment template seen at

Deka, I will help students understand the various needs of today’s

industry. High School students need to be made aware of the

needs of local businesses and how they can shape their futures

before they graduate. Students need to know how employers

interpret the abilities of potential employees. Resumes are a

constantly-evolving process; every student needs to focus on their

goals and how they can build a path to achieve those goals.

Classroom Implementation

13.3.11 C – Career Retention and

Advancement

Evaluate conflict resolution skills as they

relate to the workplace I plan to break up my class into small groups and have positions

designated to each student: supervisor, employee, HR rep, and

observer. Using various real-life issues I experienced during my

tour at Deka, I plan to give each a group a scenario that they have

to “act” out. This sensitivity training exercise will demonstrate to

the students how challenging a supervisory position can be.

Students will learn conflict resolution, negotiation, and creative

problem solving skills.

BIG THANKS to our friends!!