If you are familiar with the Twitter-Sphere, you may have a general understanding of “trending topics” or know what I mean by #TT. If not, there is some free social media education of the day for you. One of the best parts of my job is being the voice on social media networks for Cleveland Vibrator (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, etc.). Recently, during my “Market Research Session” on Twitter, I found a really awesome trending topic provided by SME also known as Society of Manufacturing Engineers. #MFGis is a social media awareness campaign to help students, educators, professionals and companies tell their stories of “what manufacturing is” through storytelling, social media and multimedia.  This has sparked some inspiration to share my journey into the world of Industrial Vibrator Manufacturing.

Throughout my college experience at The University of Akron, many ideas of what I wanted to do with my career entered into my head and quickly exited after delving into the different options a little more deeply. I ended up in the School of Communications and chose to match my degree with a Sales & Marketing Minor. Judging by those credentials, one would think that I would end up working in a corporate office somewhere between Cleveland and Akron. To a degree, that did happen. However, I would not have guessed in a million years that I would fall into the world of Industrial Vibrator Manufacturing. I think if someone would have told me 10 years ago, as a freshman in highschool that this would be my future, I probably would have laughed it off and moved on with my dreams of being a News Anchor, Journalist or a Teacher.

Fresh out of college and seeking whatever job opportunities were available, I reached out to a creative industries placement agency in Cleveland to help me. I will never forget the phone call from my recruiter asking if I would be interested in a Marketing position at The Cleveland Vibrator Company. My simple response was, “Cleveland what!?” Curiosity got me excited and once I interviewed, I knew this place would be a great fit for me.

There is so much more I have learned to appreciate about the Manufacturing World after many conversations and wonderful experiences I have had working hand-in-hand with people across the board here at Cleveland Vibrator. From Sales to Engineering to our awesome Assembly Guys in in our Fabricated Equipment Department, the ingenuity and collaboration between all parties is something to be applauded. It is the epitome of what teamwork means around here. The focus of this #MFGis campaign is to address three different aspects, so here we go:

#MFGis … Educational. This could not ring more true. In the one short year I have been a member at Cleveland Vibrator, I have seen the awesome-ness of Fabricated Equipment, the creativity it takes to get multiple new product lines off the ground and have learned so much about the numerous amount of industries we serve. Taking it a step further, the cultural aspect is quite an educational one. We have folks working here from all walks of life and being a Communications fanatic, you can understand why I see the value in gaining knowledge of others cultures and backgrounds. This place wouldn’t be what it is without the hard work of our plant guys. I tend to think of them as artists, all with their personal specialties from honing to CNC to welding; it is their specialties and their craft that help Cleveland Vibrator uphold its tradition of delivering the high quality products that we promise to our customers.

#MFGis … Fun. This may be a severe understatement. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of excitement I have when a new Vibratory Feeder is being tested for unique applications or a Vibratory Table design is being passed through engineering that we have never seen before. The fun part of this job is seeing the constant exclusive applications that run through here on a daily basis. I have seen equipment built to screen licorice, pack lotions for a major cosmetic distributor and feed shredded computer parts for recycling purposes. Let’s also throw out there that the spontaneous dance parties that happen back in FAB are surely an added bonus to the fun factor.

#MFGis … Generational. Coming from a family-owned business growing up, I always cherished the aspect of tradition and upholding the quality which keeps your customers coming back to you for continued service. This same aspect is what drew me to Cleveland Vibrator. This small business has been around since 1923 and the tradition of “Cleveland Made Quality” has overcome the trials of the financial and economical roller coaster the U.S. has ridden through this past century. We also have a few guys on staff that have been here for nearly 40+ years, if this doesn’t show the dedication it takes to be in manufacturing, I don’t know what does. ­One of the guys also is a part of our blog crew, Glen Roberts. You can read his blogs here.

There are so many different perks of working in the Manufacturing Industry. As one of only 4 women on staff here at Cleveland Vibrator, you can imagine it takes a particular type of person to work with a bunch of fellas day in and day out. I wouldn’t have it any other way! These guys have truly shown me the ropes around here and with 2015 in sight, I get more and more antsy to see what new and exciting things will come my way this upcoming year.  Until next time Movers & Shakers, #ShakeOn!

Katy Sabo

Katy Sabo has been the Industrial Vibrator Duchess of The Cleveland Vibrator Company since 2014. The originator of #VibrationEducation, Katy has helped create CVC brand awareness across the globe and has made it her personal priority to share the importance of Industrial Vibration with anyone willing to listen! When she isn’t shaking things up in the Marketing Department, you can usually find her shopping with her favorite sidekicks (she’s the proud mom of two little ladies), going on long walks/runs with her favorite furry family members, or rooting on any Cleveland team with her diehard fan of a husband.