tool and die maker

senior engineering technician

regional sales manager

mechanical engineer

maintenance industrial

Grote-Industries

What is the best part of working at the company?
They are having a hard time finding a placement for me at the time. Also I was sent home on a point system for Covid. It seems to be real hectic at times  and there are some problems with the robots that I was trained in. My first day there my trainer went home early and left me there by myself. I finally got help in a bout 10 pm and they seemed to punish me over it, just the way I felt. But other then that I would really love to continue working there, if they could find a place for me and be willing to train on me in it the correct way. I'm really loving what we do there making lights for different objects and vehicles. Hope to continue my job there but if not I'm on here just in case covering my back up plan for work. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Not knowing what your doing at first and getting to know the different work stations isn't that stressful what is stressful is when you're stuck doing something by yourself and not really knowing what you're doing 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is a  friendly respectful, family oriented company that I am proud to be apart of. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
10 hr over time is mandatory for now. You get to work see what and where you're supposed to be and go get your station set up from there. Everyone is always willing to walk up and lend a hand of help if needed.

Being a contract engineer at Grote is demoralizing. I was one of a large group of contract engineers that were hired at the same time - Red Flag! We were told that these were contract to hire opportunities. In reality, Grote only intended to hire a few engineers who they thought they could retain at below market wages, accept the isolated location, insane workload, or lacked common sense. A few of the lower-grade engineers were given offers to stay. None of them lasted a year beyond the original 6mo contract. It was such a waste of time, money and effort that somebody higher up got fired.
They seem to have a hard time recruiting talent, which is understandable considering the remoteness of the location. If you like 1hr+ commutes, or dislike city life, then this is the place for you. There are some great people there, but those who have mobility and better potential eventually leave.

Grote Industries is a privately owned company with a primary focus on automotive LED lighting applications with an emphasis on niche lamps such as side, front, and rear marker lamps.  They are a global company with manufacturing facilities in the U.S, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and China with a headquarters and main manufacturing facility in Madison, Indiana.  The product volumes Grote sees from customers is not quite large enough to justify a lot of automated manufacturing equipment, so each new product that is introduced is a challenge to determine the proper manufacturing process that is both cost effective for the company and efficient enough to give the product a competitive price point.  Being a privately owned company where the fourth generation of family members currently work at the Madison location, there is a great balance of home life and work life.

Like other engineers commented I was hired along with six other engineers as a contractor. Along with two others I was let go without any reason given, except a new budget. I know I had done a good job there. They said repeatedly assured us we were doing a good job. They called us all to a meeting a couple weeks before telling us our jobs were safe. I was living in a hotel until then. To save money, and have a better place to stay I and others signed apartment rental contracts.  

Contractors were not given the same treatment as direct hires. We had to beg, and wait months to use company database that we needed to do assigned projects.Contractors had to park way out in back not with Direct Hires.Like another engineer stated "We were treat like second class." 
My boss helped when he could but he had his regular engineering job plus was filling in as an interim engineering manager.

A family-owned firm that has prospered in Middle America and specifically in the over the road trucking lighting/ safety industry. Leadership in narrow-minded and does not let the key decision making process outside of this circle. 

Too many processes and decision by committee at the functional level. Lack of technology resources- leading to a situation of being left behind by foreign competition. 

International presence is limited and managed by locals- but controlled from Madison. This ivory tower situation and key management by the family members stagnates the ability to react quickly and to be truly customer-focussed outside of the trucking market.

Overall, Grote was amazing. Taking a fresh out of high school kid that had been known to get ahead and giving her opportunities to further herself. They give chances to people that show a hard-working spirit and a hunger to learn more. They even put me into the schooling program that they have where you basically have your classes paid off while working. They're very kind of their employers and they give them a lot of opportunities that I don't see often now. The building was always updated and maintained and with every holiday there was something special going on that the CEO did for us. Whether it be a card or coming by to say hello. Birthdays were exciting along with anniversary dates and fun Friday.

Worked 8 hrs/day 5 days/week. Learned an enormous of things that I never even thought of, being my first time working in an office at a desk. The things they don't teach you in school! Running the CAD program was the easy part, it was the Windchill program that I didn't know a thing about. Everybody was most helpful and taught me a lot, It was fascinating the things you an do with those programs. The most enjoyable part of this job is that it will enable me to live longer being that I am in a heated office in the winter and AC in the summer; and not breathing fumes and dirt all day. As long as I can think and sit at a computer I will be able to make a good living. I only regret that I didn't known more about Windchill.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people.  I found Grote to be a friendly atmosphere where the people worked together and helped each other

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Occasionally there was a need for overtime, but for the most part, the projects were well managed and the appropriate time was allocated to complete things

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I found it to be a friendly and helpful place to work.  A lot of cooperation among coworkers

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A short morning meeting to discuss what you were working on and what you might need for the day, then you went about your job.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Most of the employees and supervisors are all great to work with.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Micromanagement, no organization, not enough employees to get priorities completed. To much for one person, so quality doesn't get enough attention. Bad parts!!!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is very stressful due to lack of employees. Supervisors try to be fair and encourage employees to submit ideas.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Very stressful, too much work on one person. Bad quality, always sorting bad parts.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Close to home. Great co-workers. Overtime available. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Absentee policy. No call in vacation days. Not much gained for seniority. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Relaxed environment and a diverse cultural environment throughout the plant in all areas on the floor and in management alike. Equal opportunity employer. Opportunity for promotion in all all areas for everyone. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Routine. Lots of standing in one spot for long hours with repetitive motion.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Tool and die maker 5 salaries reported	$31.50 per hour
Senior engineering technician 2 salaries reported	$32.70 per hour
Regional sales manager 4 salaries reported	$107,500 per year
Mechanical engineer 1 salary reported	$82,500 per year
Maintenance industrial 1 salary reported	$36.00 per hour

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