Position: Quality Inspector I
Tenure: 6 Years 6 Months
What would you say it takes to be successful at YKK AP America?
To achieve success at YKK AP you must work hard, have patience, and remain resilient throughout your journey.
What’s one word you’d use to describe YKK AP America and why?
Family is the word I would use to describe YKK AP America because I have created a lot of bonds through the years with different people.
What’s your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America?
YKK AP has given me many opportunities. I started as a temp, and I worked my way up to a permanent position. My first position was as a fabrication technician on hung line 2. I was then promoted to lead, and now I am a quality inspector. YKK was the first and the only job I have ever had, and I am very proud to say that it has afforded me the opportunity to be able to purchase my first home.
If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be chicken tacos. They are delicious, and they can be versatile.
Describe YKK AP America in three words?
Opportunistic, positive, and environment.
Terry Hobbs
Position: Fabrication Technician II
Tenure: 6 years and 6 months
In your opinion, what would you say it takes to be successful at YKK AP America.
I believe it takes hard work and dedication, paying attention to your environment, and learning from others to be successful at YKK AP.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
I would use the word opportunity because YKK AP offers several growth opportunities.
What is your greatest accomplishment YKK AP America?
My greatest accomplishment at YKK AP has been my ability to learn different jobs and work in different departments. I have worked in every department except GEO and shipping.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I would eat crab legs because I don’t get to eat them often.
Describe YKK AP in three words?
Opportunity to grow.
Position: Control Room Operator
Tenure: 2 years and 4 months
In your opinion, what does it take to be successful here at YKK AP America?
To be successful you need to always be on time and willing to help others.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
Family is a great way to describe YKK because we work together and grow as a team.
What is your greatest accomplishment YKK AP America?
My greatest accomplishment would be having patience to learn new things and teach others as I go. Not everyone learns at the same pace, and YKK AP is a great company to grow in if you invest yourself into learning new things.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to choose one food, I guess I would pick Greek food because I’m Greek.
Describe YKK AP in three words?
Family, Engaging and Rewarding.
Daymon Loyd
Position: Residential Operations Manager
Tenure: 19 Years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
I would describe the culture at YKK AP as involving our Fundamental Behavior, “Do the right thing, Always.” This culture is ever changing for the better.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No day is the same for me. There is no typical day. As a rule of thumb, I get a pulse for the production status, assess any key emergency items that need to be taken care of, and then go on with my schedule. From walking the shop floor to board meetings, my schedule follows the same process every day, starting with Safety, moving on to Quality, and ending with Service.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job involves watching teams form and begin to perform on their own. I also enjoy seeing the entire Residential team gelling together as a unit as opposed to working in silos.
Any other positive experiences that you would like to share that may help build the brand?
We donated repurposed windows to Habitat for Humanity to help build five homes. We also donated windows to churches located in Dublin, Perry, and Dexter, Georgia.
These churches used the windows to help build a maternity ward inside of shipping containers.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I love to play the drums. From Metallica to Gospel, I enjoy all genres of music.
Nicholas Moore
Position: Leadperson
Tenure: 1 year and 6 months
How would you describe the culture at YKK?
The culture at YKK AP is very nice. It is a good place to work.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I always have a good day at YKK AP.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being applauded for a job well done.
Any other positive experiences that you would like to share that may help build the brand?
If you come to work and work hard, YKK AP will support you.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I love to smile and be outgoing and positive.
Position: Credit & Collections Clerk
Tenure: 1 year and 1 month
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
I would describe the culture at YKK AP as teamwork. In my department, we all try to work together to ensure our customers have the best and easiest experience.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me consists of posting customer payments to their accounts, setting up all job accounts, and communicating with the customers and collection specialists to ensure accounts are properly updated.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job involves talking to different customers and YKK AP employees across the US.
Any other positive experiences that you would like to share that may help build the brand?
I really enjoy the teamwork I experience here at YKK AP.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I have a goofy and bubbly personality.
Beth Whelchel
Position: Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Tenure: 3 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
The creativity that goes into being a part of marketing. I think every member of our team is pretty creative.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Innovative because the company is always constantly innovating to develop new and better products.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Some of my hobbies include drawing and painting, swimming and going to concerts.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The thing that makes me proud to work for YKK AP is the fact that they are good to their employees.
What’s one item that you cannot live without? and why
My computer, or else I would not be able to do most of my job.
Jeffery Fulford
Position: Manager, Regional Operations
Tenure: 21 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
Their team attitude and their passion to improve each day. This is challenging on occasion, however in adversity their passion remains constant.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Quality, It sounds cliche', but I really feel our entire organization strives for a high quality approach in how we approach our associates, customers, and our communities.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Spending time with Family/Friends, going to UGA Sports, Golf.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The passion of the overall workforce to in the pursuit of greatness in every action.
What’s one item that you cannot live without? and why
I hate to say it...Cell Phone, because in this age this is my calendar, source of news, and chief communication method.
**oh gosh ..I am that guy I swore I would never be :)
Position: Fabrication Technician I
Tenure: 6 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
That at the end of the work day everything is accounted for and our work has been completed.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Seasons. It just seems like this job changes like the weather.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
I love to travel.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The company culture is family oriented.
What’s one item that you cannot live without and why?
Coffee. especially first thing in the morning. Helps keep me calm.
Brittany Howard
Position: Environmental Engineer
Tenure: 5 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
A few things come to mind when thinking about success at YKK AP. In my 5 years here, I have found that coming to work everyday with a positive and friendly disposition is key. Building relationships with your co-workers and having a genuine interest in how people are doing are important. Also, I have learned that accepting a challenge head on and with a problem-solving mindset will get you much farther. I look back at my 5 years here and think about how much I have learned. It is incredible to think about the knowledge I will have gained when I look back at 20+ years!
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
Determination
No matter what kind of ups and downs YKK AP has encountered this organization and the people here are always determined. Whether it be determined to be better, determined to overcome a hurdle in their path, or determined to start a new project. I believe that this determination comes from the Core Value of Do not fear failure. Experience builds success.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
Ask me next year or in another 5 years and this answer would have changed. Working in the Environmental Department you must be very adaptable and come to work ready for anything! I would say there have been many accomplishments so far in my career, but if I had to name a few they would be: learning the importance of and implementing systems in my weekly routines, understanding YKK AP’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and feeling confident to manage it, and feeling knowledgeable enough to give presentations to many different levels of YKK AP employees including new hires and V.Ps.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
This is a very hard question! I love food and really love cooking food! It would have to be either Italian or Mexican. I love making homemade pizzas and quesadillas. I love the variety you can create from both of those! I have tried so many different combinations! Did you know broccoli is great in a quesadilla and on a pizza?
Describe YKK AP in 3 words.
Security, Family, Growth
Toby Gould
Position: Vice President (VP) of Finance
Tenure: 8 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
Aside from having the necessary skill sets to perform your specific job, I would say it takes a desire to meet the needs of our customers whether internal or external, be a supportive team member for your fellow YKK AP employees and a concern/care for our communities will propel you at YKK AP America.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
Stewardship – We have the great fortune to follow in the legacy of our founder and the leaders he groomed. We benefit greatly from this legacy both professionally and personally by being an employee of YKK AP America. It is not only our duty but it’s our honor to maintain and/or improve this legacy.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
Representing YKK AP America as a mentor for the First Robotics program at Dublin High School for 4 years (2016 – 2020), I not only got the pleasure of witnessing these students grow in their abilities to build a robot, but also to grow into respectable members of our community. A chance meeting of one of these students in Dublin is one of my greatest pleasures seeing them now as an adult member of our community.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta with marinara sauce.
Describe YKK AP America Inc. in three words ?
Cycle of Goodness.
Position: Caustic Operator in Die Correction
Tenure: 3 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
It takes communication and hard work to be successful at YKK AP.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?.
Professional. It is how everyone handles their job and how their jobs are important to them.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
I’m a hard worker and would love to say that being able to retire from YKK would be my greatest accomplishment.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to choose, I would say hamburgers and French fries is what I could eat for the rest of my life.
Describe YKK AP in three words?
Professional, Important, Long-lasting.
Position: Director of Branch Sales
Tenure: 6 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
Culture at YKK AP is unique from any of my past experiences in that we not only advertise treating people with respect, we live it daily. Inherently humans have different viewpoints and perspectives, your voice is heard within YKK AP America and you are treated like a person, not a number. The Cycle of Goodness and our Fundamental Behaviors exist within the fabric of our daily business.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Interacting with our branch leaders, sales team, manufacturing group as well as executive leaders in forming strategies to be the preferred choice when it comes to fenestration options.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Being appreciated, as well as having a voice in the direction we are headed as a company.
Evan Bailey
Position: Fabrication Technician IV, MegaTherm
Tenure: 2 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
Very friendly place to work. A lot of foot traffic on the floor and the people I passby are always acknowledging each other and saying hello. I always feel like we are all in this together.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day consists of looking forward at the next day to see what orders take priority and running as much material as possible to ensure all deadlines are met and the customers are happy getting their material on time.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of my job is knowing I helped make quality materials that the customer will be satisfied with and met the deadlines so they get what they need when they need it. “It's the little things that matter”.
Richard Dixon
Position: Manufacturing Plant Manager
Tenure: 18 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
During my tenure, I have witnessed a significant transformation within the Fabrication Plant as well as YKK AP on the enterprise level. The “Cycle of Goodness,” along with our 25 Fundamental Behaviors are at the core of my professional growth as well as our company’s overall prosperity.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day would include a review of the previous day’s production including overall performance and issues along with planning for future production days. Our plan is established and adjustments are made to achieve the best performance with our team. We conduct thorough reviews of safety, quality, and production requirements. We communicate throughout our teams so that everyone has the appropriate information so they can be successful and accomplish our objectives.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Relationships created within our team. They create the avenue for all of our YKK AP family to be successful. When we see our employees succeed, it is a great feeling.
