equipment operator

yard worker

framer

engineer

maintenance technician

Bell Lumber & Pole

Overwork yourself for nothing and get criticized for everything. (Certain) people are great to work with.  Majority of the higher ups are inept though some are understanding and will take the time with you, very few. Communication is non existent at times and false hope is implemented into you with consistent promises of raises/promotions, if you do well by complying with whatever their idea is fair to you from them, it could be working a lot of overtime when not able, shorting your pay by “accident” and rolling their eyes when you bring it up, it could even be harmful to the employee having emergencies since there is no missing work. Even though the company pushes a certain image of fairness and great opportunity, HR hinders the idea of actually starting to implement better equipment for their employees and adequate time management for better efficiency to not overwork the employees. It’s hard to find the so called acceptance and “love” (Believe it or not) the company pushes.  Since there is no work/life balance. As well as receiving different treatment depending on how you respond to your Leads. If you don’t like people stepping over you this place is not for you. 

I worked in the production yard for almost 5 years; my job was running the pressure treating plant. The New Brighton yard is unionized and it was a good place to work. Basically all the production positions are un-skilled labor; despite that, the pay is generous and the benefits are spectacular. 

Most of the jobs are done outside and you will be working in the rain, snow, and cold. Only when the temps get way below zero will there be any allowances for extra breaks. 

Management refuses to organically grow leaders and they like to hire clueless managers from outside the company. Even if you have a bachelor degree, there is no possibility for promotion.

Long term: The plant is a stinky / dusty facility in the middle of a residential area. I have concerns about the long term viability. If there is ever a serious fire, explosion, or pesticide release.... I'm sure the plant will be permanently closed.

Came on starting with 8 hr days. Ended up with 5-10’s and every Saturday due to poor equipment operation and alot of downtime. Company not willing to put money into necessities to have quality/ timely production. Instead, they bump up hours and add weekend days to fill the gap. Upon leaving, I was currently not getting breaks or lunch, and had no legit weekends, as they wouldnt tell us that we were working Satuday until halfway through the Friday before. Had a verbal disagreement with another employee and Bell instantly wanted to terminate me. The location manager for my site talked them out of it according to him, and gave me a last and final for my first time being talked to. I couldnt do it any more. Gave up my weekends and lunches to help this company “catch up”, and that was the appreciation I was showed. The people I directly worked with were great, but their higher ups (Bell), need to learn some business management and employee appreciation. 

Bell Pole was a great company to work for , I worked mostly as a quality control Inspector and was also given other opportunities and responsibilities. Bell Pole is a producer of quality Utility poles and other treated wood products in a very unique industry, the people there were a great group to work with. I placed great value in people throughout the company and created some great relationships at all levels within the company which i still value after being laid off on 1/11/18

It seems like a production company should want to keep their workers busy producing but for some reason they want to pay people to hangout at work just waiting for the crane to bring over some poles. For hours, days once an entire week straight, 10 hour days of nothing to do. I asked if I could just go home and come back when there was actually something to do and they acted like I was the one trying to get out of working or being lazy. If you like to get paid and not work that much it’s the right job for you. 

The manager is a joke at this location, has anger issues, and seems like he has dementia. Always telling you you’re doing the job wrong and tells you to do it a different way then says that way is wrong the very next day. Very bad communication between management and their Human Resources departments. They also don’t give you breaks and require you come in 15 minutes early and stay late with no additional pay. They say work at own pace and say you’re working too slow. 

I started as an quality inspector but had to work in the yard working with the framer and treating staff to understand the processes of making and treating of utility poles. This is a unique business and has many different aspects and applications between the various species of materials, processes and I learned a lot in my 7 yrs of employment.

The sales team was close and connected for the same goal.  Family owned for over 100 years.  I did not choose to leave as I was happy with what I was doing.

Work can be tedious at times. Some of the upper management can be disrespectful. Other then that the company itself is a good company. I just believe the Sidney area needs to work on the getting the Leadership being more on the Leadership side of things.

Great employees, lots of opportunities to get higher in the company. Great pay and benefits. Working outside all year round for some job titles, dress accordingly. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Equipment operator 17 salaries reported	$22.35 per hour
Yard worker 14 salaries reported	$21.55 per hour
Framer 5 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Engineer 5 salaries reported	$24.51 per hour
Maintenance technician 3 salaries reported	$26.43 per hour

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