Joel Bessler

Assembly of Trailer/Truck Components

• Use hand tools, power tools, and pneumatic equipment to assemble parts like walls, floors, doors, axles, and roofs.

• Follow detailed work instructions, blueprints, and work orders to build components to spec.

Mechanical & Structural Installation

• Fasten, bolt, rivet, and seal various materials (metal, aluminum, composites).

• Install subassemblies such as lighting systems, insulation, bumpers, hitches, and suspensions.

Inspection & Quality Verification

• Inspect completed assemblies for accuracy, durability, and alignment.

• Identify and correct any assembly issues or notify leads of defects.

Material Handling

• Retrieve necessary parts and materials from stock locations.

• Stage components in the correct order to maintain workflow efficiency.

• Record usage and report shortages.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Follow all safety rules, wear required PPE, and report hazards.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area.

• Operate safely around forklifts, cranes, and other moving equipment.

Team Communication

• Work with supervisors, coordinators, and teammates to meet daily production goals.

• Communicate issues affecting quality, safety, or productivity in real-time.

Process Improvement Participation

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts

• Suggest better ways to assemble or organize work for higher efficiency.

Common Tools/Systems You May Use:

• Impact drivers, torque wrenches, drills

• Rivet guns, tape measures, calipers

• SAP or production tracking systems

Production Coordination

• Oversee day-to-day assembly line activities to meet production schedules.

• Ensure correct parts, tools, and instructions are available for each station.

• Balance workloads between workstations to avoid bottlenecks or delays.

Quality Assurance

• Monitor assemblies to verify they meet quality and specification standards.

• Conduct in-process inspections and report any non-conformities.

• Coordinate with Quality Control and Engineering for process improvements.

Communication Liaison

• Serve as the link between production team members and supervisors/managers.

• Communicate changes in production plans, schedules, or safety protocols.

• Participate in daily Gemba walks or production meetings.

Team Support

• Train new hires on tools, procedures, and safety standards.

• Address worker questions or problems, escalating when needed.

• Help cover absences or fill gaps in workflow when short-handed.

Inventory & Materials Flow

• Track component usage and report shortages or overages.

• Coordinate with Materials or Logistics teams to ensure timely part delivery.

• Ensure proper storage, handling, and documentation of materials.

Health & Safety

• Enforce Wabash’s safety procedures, PPE policies, and incident reporting.

• Monitor work areas for hazards and support corrective actions.

• Promote a culture of safety and accountability.

Welding & Fabrication

• Perform MIG welding on aluminum and/or steel components to meet engineering specs.

• Use welding equipment, jigs, and fixtures to fabricate trailer frames, subassemblies, and parts.

• Set up and adjust machines to maintain weld integrity and appearance.

Blueprint & Work Order Reading

• Interpret blueprints, schematics, and production drawings to understand weld locations and assembly.

• Follow detailed work instructions and job travelers to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Quality Control

• Inspect finished welds for strength, dimension, and visual defects.

• Rework or repair poorly welded joints as needed.

• Maintain quality standards while meeting daily production goals.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all Wabash safety protocols, including PPE use, hot work procedures, and lockout/tagout rules.

• Maintain clean and organized workstations to support a safe environment.

• Report safety hazards or equipment malfunctions immediately.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with team members, supervisors, and quality inspectors to ensure smooth workflow.

• Communicate material or equipment shortages to leads or coordinators.

• Participate in cross-training and support other tasks as production needs shift.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and recommend process improvements to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

• Support Lean Manufacturing practices

• Maintain proper documentation and timekeeping records as required.

Tools & Equipment Commonly Used

• MIG welders (Lincoln, Miller, etc.)

• Grinders, plasma cutters, air tools

• Welding jigs, fixtures, and measuring tools (calipers, squares)

• Overhead cranes and hoists (certification may be required)

Welding Oversight & Technical Support

• Guide and support welding associates on proper techniques, equipment settings, and weld quality.

• Troubleshoot welding issues (e.g., porosity, warping, lack of fusion) and assist in corrective actions.

• Ensure welding operations follow Wabash procedures, blueprints, and specs.

Team Leadership & Workflow Management

• Coordinate welder assignments to meet daily production targets and prevent bottlenecks.

• Train and mentor new welders on safety, technique, and efficiency.

• Fill in on the line or step in when short-staffed.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct in-process inspections to ensure welds meet quality and structural standards.

• Collaborate with Quality Control and Engineering to resolve defects or implement improvements.

• Maintain welding logs, defect records, and compliance documentation.

Safety Enforcement

• Ensure welders follow all safety protocols (PPE, ventilation, hot work safety, etc.).

• Promote a culture of safety and intervene when unsafe practices are observed.

• Conduct or support safety briefings, audits, or incident investigations.

Equipment & Materials Coordination

• Monitor welding equipment, perform basic maintenance, and report malfunctions.

• Ensure welders have the right consumables (wire, gas, tips) and tools for each job.

• Help manage material usage to minimize waste.

Communication & Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as the point of contact between welders, production supervisors, and quality teams.

• Communicate schedule changes, process updates, or issues affecting workflow.

• Assist with cross-training or transitioning team members between stations.

Tools/Skills

• Strong MIG welding skills (aluminum, steel, or both)

• Ability to read blueprints, welding symbols, and spec sheets

• Familiarity with weld inspections (visual, fillet gauges, etc.)

• Leadership, organization, and people management chops

• Fill the workload of up to three planners during short-staffed operations—coordinating deliveries, adjusting inventory plans, and maintaining schedule flow without delays.
• Regularly interface with suppliers, purchasing, engineering, and production to ensure material availability, part accuracy, and documentation compliance.
• Track fastener substitutions and ensure detailed documentation of part changes, including justification and defect linkage.
• Maintain excellent attendance and support engineering-driven process changes with clear, traceable communication.
• Engineering Assistant / Production Coordinator / Line Coordinator / Supervisor Support
• Supported engineers with interpreting 3D technical drawings, verifying part specs, and updating production documents for changeovers.
• Led training for new hires and coordinated team members across diverse backgrounds, often including non-native English speakers.
• Participated in Kaizen events focused on reducing defects, improving flow, and enhancing tooling efficiency.
• Helped launch new lines, determining takt time, staffing needs, and tooling requirements.
• Maintained documentation for all process adjustments, especially when correcting installation angles or resolving fastener issues.
• Welder / Welder Coordinator / Materials Handler / Production
• Assembled structural components for semi-trailer builds with emphasis on aerodynamics and precision.
• Ensured proper drilling and structural alignments to within 2 angular tolerance, helping reduce strain and ensure consistent aerodynamic flow.
• Applied industry-specific practices such as standard caulking and skirt installation.

Technical Documentation Support

• Assist in creating bills of materials (BOMs), process sheets, and work instructions.

• Organize and track engineering change notices (ECNs) and revisions.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with manufacturing, quality, and design engineers to ensure that designs are feasible, cost-effective, and production-ready.

• Help translate engineering plans into clear instructions for the shop floor.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Collect production data and test results to support process improvement or product development efforts.

• Assist in time studies, failure analyses, or prototype testing under engineer supervision.

Project & Task Coordination

• Help manage timelines, deliverables, and documentation

• Track part approvals, vendor documentation, and spec compliance for projects in development.

Product & Process Support

• Assist with fixture design

• Document issues found during testing or production and propose corrective actions with engineering input.

Administrative Support

• Assistance in kaizen events

• Prepare reports, and maintain records for the engineering team.

• Help ensure departmental compliance with ISO or quality management system standards.

Skills & Tools

• Microsoft Excel, Word, and project management tools

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes (welding, assembly, fabrication)

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings