(10/12/2009)

In a team-building effort to give back to the community, approximately 100 employees from LORD Corporation’s Mechanical Engineering Group and several retired employees donated time and labor to two local service projects.

“As a young engineer at LORD, it is easy to take for granted the products and technologies we have to offer our customers,” said Kyle Zimmerman, a mechanical engineer. “It was really a positive experience to hear from other professionals, many of whom spent a good portion of their lives working at LORD. Then, it was nice to give back to the community. One of the team members cleaning the trails with me was a retired employee, and it was fun to hear his stories about the ‘good old days.’”

Zimmerman said that as a relatively new employee, he was glad to have the opportunity to learn about LORD Corporation’s rich heritage in the Erie community and the industries the company serves.

LORD employees gathered at the Asbury Woods Nature Center to discuss a variety of topics related to vibration isolation for the aerospace and industrial markets, including a panel discussion comprised of Bill Kloss, Fred Sexsmith, John Gorndt and Len Schwemmer, all long-time employees of LORD, now retired. Then, the employees divided into two groups and spent the afternoon at the Second Harvest Food Bank or at the Asbury Woods Nature Center. At Second Harvest, LORD employees unloaded and sorted food to be distributed to a variety of agencies in the community. Much of the food had been collected through a food drive at LORD. At Asbury Woods, LORD employees helped with a variety of landscaping duties including mulching and planting flowers, as well as trail clean up.

“The goal of the day was to celebrate LORD Corporation’s heritage and history as well as take time out of our busy schedule to reach out to others in the community,” said Scott Lefferts, Director of Mechanical Product Development, one of the key initiators of the day and a participant in the Second Harvest Food Bank service project. “Volunteering at the Food Bank was a wonderful team- building experience and I really enjoyed it.”

Pamela J. Forbes, an Engineering Lab Administrative Assistant instrumental in organizing the day’s activities, noted that it was one of the most enjoyable events for her to coordinate during her 20 years at LORD.

“Working with Samantha Lynch at Second Harvest Food Bank and Steve Wasiesky of Asbury Woods Nature Center was a great experience. The relationship that LORD Corporation has with both of these community centers is to be commended,” she said. “And, seeing all the retirees share their knowledge with us was so inspiring. Giving back to our community is what we wanted to achieve….it was a success!”