Meet Ken Hendrix, Aalberts surface technologies-accurate brazing’s Production Manager at the Garlington facility in Greenville, SC.
Ken has been part of the team for six years. He began in an entry-level position doing assembly and inspection. He came to heat treating from a background in carpentry, never having seen a vacuum furnace. Ken says he “worked hard and learned from anyone willing to teach me.”
After about six months, he moved to the shop floor. It was there that Ken learned the furnaces, maintenance, and prepping. And although Ken doesn’t get to do it a lot anymore in the role of production manager, he says maintenance was one of his favorite things. “I love the trouble shooting, turning wrenches, and fixing the equipment.”
As production manager, Ken says the biggest challenge now is scheduling. He works diligently to meet all customer deadlines.
But Ken feels like his biggest accomplishment is being a dad. He has a blended family and is expecting his 7th child in 2023.
A native of the Greenville area, Ken’s first job was at Roller Sports in Taylors when he was 14 years old. These days, when he is not working, you will most likely find him on the softball field. Whether playing on a co-ed team or coaching his daughter’s travel team, he is on the go for softball most weekends. And somehow, he still has time to spend in his carpentry shop. His current carpentry project is making rocking horses and décor for the Christmas season. He plans to donate 50% of the proceeds to residents of a recovery house for women to help purchase Christmas gifts for their kids.