welder

installation technician

shipping and receiving clerk

account manager

shop technician

LaForce Inc

The Engineering Department's management team was the best management I've experienced. They were all extremely helpful, supportive, and would always make time to help anyone understand something. The Logistics Department was also extremely helpful, reasonable, and just all around an outstanding group of individuals. 

Dealing with contractors was difficult/stressful at times as some contractors would belittle you and talk down to you. This appeared difficult for LaForce to handle because they needed to maintain good relations with contractors to keep jobs coming in, and it sometimes felt as though the sales team would do very little on curbing these issues. 

Many project engineers, including myself, felt that at times the workload became too much to handle and became very stressful. This seemed to stem from LaForce taking on more and more jobs, but being unable to retain an appropriate amount of project engineers because the project engineers felt the workload was too much and quit, which furthered the problem. The workload also seemed to come in waves with there being extremely busy periods of time where you put in more than 40 hours a week, and then periods of times where there was nothing to do on jobs except engineer them. With that being said, I did feel that I was compensated appropriately for this workload. 

Overall, it felt that the company wanted each and every individual to succeed and better themselves in the process. They offered tobacco cessation programs, tuition reimbursement, and various activities throughout the year that occur during the day to get you outside and moving around (kickball, softball, volleyball, etc.). They also ensure each department has a "department outing" where each department gets to choose a restaurant, activity, or event that the entire department goes to (expenses paid within reason) and bond/relieve stress after work once a year. The department outings are nice because you get to know people outside of work and be in a more relaxed environment with your coworkers.

As a small project manager, my role is to oversee the project from start to finish. I will give customers quotes, then those quotes sometimes turn to orders, then I oversee and manage the order and any issues that come along. 
Because it's the summertime, it is incredibly stressful for me. However, the salesperson I work with is very helpful, wanting to take something off my plate if needed. Management also seems conscious of a good work/life balance and mental health. 
LaForce is somewhat flexible, offering 2 hours of flex time. So if I have an appointment at 2pm but I typically am done at 3:30pm, I will have to make up any missed time (go in early the next day, work late a different day that week, etc.). 
LaForce is structured in a way where each person seems to be on their own journey, and I am not a huge fan of that. I wish I was on a team working toward a common goal. Even though I rely on other departments for pricing, logistical updates, and other questions, I don't feel the team atmosphere. There are times where the salesperson and I collaborate to figure out strategies, which I really enjoy. However, that team collaboration feel is something I need in a future career. 

For the most part I believe that management means well, but definitely aren't afraid to push things downhill to pile up on the lowest denominator. A lot of management doesn't really "do" anything other than direct traffic. There is also obvious and rampant favoritism across many, many departments. A very "old boy's club" mentality in that you get rewarded if you're friends with the management, but your actual work ability doesn't seem to play into things.

At least from my experience in the department I'm in, unless you're making the money for the company (sales, engineering, etc.) they could not care less about your quality of work life.

Be prepared to see a lot of turnover, and the pay is far, far below the industry standard, which they try to make up for with small, insignificant "perks" that don't add up.

My review would have been far better prior to the newest HR director taking over about three years ago. Since then, employees are nothing but a number, and all that matters is the bottom line - not employee satisfaction or happiness. I have seen many friends and coworkers bolt for greener pastures since this occurred, and morale is as low as its ever been.

I did not have the best experience with LaForce, I was given no direction by my manager or any form of training in how to perform my job correctly, but then I would be told that I needed to show initiative.  I had worked there for almost 7 months and never had my name even put on the door of my office, but someone that started shortly after me had it almost instantly.  Any time I took a PTO day I had my manager approach me and guilt me for taking any, and if I gave a reason, he would say he did not need to know why I took.  It came to the point where I was feeling like I was being harassed on a near daily basis. While it was open prior to COVID, I would go to the workout room and hear some terribly racist or sexist comments between the other people that were working out.  Everything seems to be very old fashioned and not in a good way.

I work at the Green Bay office and it has been a great experience. Within the first few months of working there, LaForce showed me how much they care about individual people when I was faced with the possibility of having to move. They worked with me and that spoke volumes to me. I have now been here for a couple years. My coworkers are nice and management gets to know you right away and is very friendly. When I wanted additional training on things I felt would help improve my job knowledge, my supervisor would set things up and followup on how it was going. There are great perks such as a free onsite clinic, quick stretching sessions, and sometimes company paid extras like massages. In my experience LaForce works hard to make sure their employees are treated well and have the opportunity to advance their career.

LaForce does have a decent workplace culture but they also have a high employee turn over due to lack of comprehensive training. Their business model lacks customer service priority, local management, and being inefficient . 
As a project manager gets blamed when the installer goes over the budgeted labor hours due to lack of installation efficiency. No disciplinary action on the Installer.
I had returned from a two month medical leave to find my client was invoiced without me finalizing the sales order, someone added an additional substantial cost which ended up being credited back to the client and I was disciplined. 
Overall, I enjoyed working with my local team but not the company as a whole.

This company is great for fresh out of college grads to gain experience in the workforce and then to transition on. There is very little opportunity to grow your career unless you are based in the home office in Green Bay and those opportunities are limited. The people are great and very helpful in learning the role, however, the overall pay is below market value and there are no incentives if you are in a sales role. Company seems to have a good bit of turnover losing valuable employees to companies that value talent and production.

The work culture and work/personal life balance are at the top of the company’s priority list. Having 2 hours of Flex Time to accommodate appointments or other needs is extremely convenient for not needing to waste vacation time. They’re also very passionate about supporting the community. But pay is on the lower end of standard for the field and raises are small even when getting a massively positive review. The insurance is also terrible for anyone with chronic illness unless you have thousands saved for medical expenses already (HSA/high deductible only plans). Decent place to work if you have alternate insurance options and don’t need a single income livable wage. 

While the wage is fair, if you are not an office worker, you are an afterthought. They don’t care if you have a personal life. Also, don’t plan on advancement. Even if you have ten years of installation experience they wouldn’t consider you valuable to use in the office. They only think college degrees matter to work in the office. So someone with a degree in art history would get the job managing installers before an installer would. Installing is hard, physical work. A person can’t do it as you reach older ages. They don’t care, so plan a needing to start over with another job as the work takes its toll on your physical health.

I loved working for LaForce and was lucky to have a great manager. They give you a lot of training, but it is a difficult job if you have no industry experience. Their benefits package is amazing and they have a lot of extra perks. My only issue was with the head of my division, he was new to the industry as well and did not take the time to learn about what the company does and what a sales rep has to do. My direct manager was amazing though.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Welder 12 salaries reported	$20.08 per hour
Installation technician 6 salaries reported	$20.67 per hour
Shipping and receiving clerk 5 salaries reported	$20.80 per hour
Account manager 4 salaries reported	$72,500 per year
Shop technician 2 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour

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