More Than Equal — Millerbernd Manufacturing Is Empowering Women to Thrive

Heavy manufacturing can be a challenging work environment, but with Millerbernd’s people-first approach, training, and leadership academy, women are breaking barriers and building careers. 

There’s little argument that the world of heavy manufacturing isn’t built for everyone. But at Millerbernd, that doesn’t mean women aren’t part of the equation. To the contrary, when it comes to women in manufacturing, Millerbernd hasn’t simply opened its doors; they’ve ripped them from the hinges and created a heavy manufacturing environment where women are welcomed and encouraged.
 

“Entering the manufacturing workforce can be intimidating when you first walk through the door,” said Kalsey Jensen, a Maintenance Technician who has been with Millerbernd for more than 10 years. “But it’s also a very rewarding job. It’s a great feeling…understanding how things are made and knowing you’re making a difference in the world.”
 

When Kalsey first started at Millerbernd, she was one of the only women on the shop floor, and she admits it was hard at first to earn the trust and respect of other team members. Some of the programs and training offered by Millerbernd helped replace those fears with confidence and eventually created opportunities. 

“Millerbernd has given me so much,” said Kalsey. “I was one of the first female production supervisors, and throughout my career, Millerbernd has sent me to different types of leadership training, supervisor training, and continuous improvement training…they’ve really just allowed me to get as much hands-on training I’ve needed or wanted so I can succeed.”
 

Kalsey’s sentiments are also echoed by Katie Jaskowiak, a Scheduling Manager at Millerbernd, who credits the company’s people-first mindset and adherence to and respect of its core values for creating a positive workplace for women. 
 

“It can be challenging to work in a male-dominated industry,” said Katie. “We often have to prove ourselves…or have ideas dismissed, but at Millerbernd, I really felt like my voice was always being heard and that my opinion mattered.”
 

Through participation in the company’s Leadership Academy, Katie learned and improved key leadership skills such as building trust, transforming conflict, and time management. She credits the academy, as well as her participation in a leadership roundtable program, with giving her the confidence and skills to advance her career at Millerbernd after just a few short years. 
 

“The company’s core values, I think, really make a difference here,” said Katie. “They play such an important role in their hiring guidelines. Which means they hire good people…people who are respectful, intelligent, and hard-working. I sometimes walk into a meeting, and I’m the only woman there, but I feel like I belong because there’s mutual respect. That’s huge.”
 

Katie is never afraid to recommend Millerbernd to other women, even in roles that might seem to be non-traditional to most. “Working in manufacturing can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding,” said Katie. “Here, women are given the same opportunities, and we’re thriving.”

You can find other stories and insights about Millerbernd and its products, people, and culture within the News and Articles section below. To learn about employment opportunities, benefits, and current job openings, visit Careers.