Crossroads RV in LaGrange County is getting ready to hire more than 120 workers. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Oct 26, 2009 at 4:52 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 26, 2009 at 4:52 PM EST
TOPEKA ― They are small steps, but steps in the right direction for the RV industry. Crossroads RV in LaGrange County is getting ready to hire more than 120 workers.
Crossroads is reopening a plant in Topeka, because they need people and they need room to build their new product line.
“17 months ago, when the economy really started to trickle down and eventually really slowed down, we put moth balls in here, took out all of the equipment and took out all the racks and, unfortunately, had to lay off 75 percent of the people,” said Mark Lucas, Crossroads president. “We've started this plant back up.”
Workers at the plant are making two new units. Both are much lighter and can be pulled with an SUV, minivan or light truck.
“We know that to run this plant with the numbers we expect, we need around 100 to 125 people,” said Lucas. “The other thing that will happen, the other plants will also pick up speed into the selling season. As this creates momentum with other products on the dealer lots, we're going to need to hire complex-wide, not just here.”
Lucas says the move, with the expansion and the addition of a new product line, bodes well for the company and its employees. Workers agree.
“We're excited about getting new people together and getting them back to work in the near future, so it’s going to be a good thing,” said Joe Burr, an 8-year employee.
“This new unit is a really sharp unit, really light. I think it is going to be a good unit to be on the market,” said Kori Sahli, a 5-year employee.
“We've grown exponentially,” said Lucas. “We've doubled and tripled in size over the past five years, and to say it could happen over the next five, I think, is a true statement.”
This morning the company started taking job applications. More than 100 people were already waiting outside before the company opened. It will be accepting applications all week between 7 and 9 a.m.
