Central States currently has employees from Blair and Bedford Counties and they’re looking for more.

Managing Director Mike White explained,”There is a lot of good hardworking, blue collar people in this area. We have looked primarily in Blair County. We wanted to keep things kind of close to home, initially.” 

Central States manufactures metal components like siding and roofing. They’re dedicated to filling orders within 24 hours. With that rate of production, they’re looking for more help. They hope to expand to 80 or 100 jobs in the next 3 to 5 years. Production technician jobs start at $13.75 an hour with full benefits and a stake in the company. Truck drivers can make around $55,000 a year. 

Altoona resident Ryan Hindinger works as a production technician. He said,”To finally have a job that I’m able to literally support my family the best I have been able to. It just means so much and they really create a culture that we matter and our families matter.” 

Also from Altoona, Justin Koehle is an operations lead and agrees with Hindinger. He said,” It supports my life style and affords me the ability support a child and support my girlfriend.”

You don’t have to show up with experience. Neither Koehle of Hindinger had experience in manufacturing before being hired. Production technicians just need a high school diploma or GED. Truck drivers however need to have their CDL.  

General Manager Angie Heldt explained,”We have a pretty lengthy training program. So several weeks to work along somebody. Then they’ll start running the equipment themselves before we kind of leave them on their own.”

While only operating for 21 days, they’ve immersed themselves into the community. They’ve partnered with Claysburg-Kimmel’s Bulldog Backpack Program and they’re donating a metal storage building to a local food bank. A faith based company, they’re also sponsoring Faith Night at the Altoona Curve.  

Hindinger explained the impact to the community saying,”With Central States stepping up to the plate, it brings a huge boom to our community for opportunity.”

Central States has an immediate need for route drivers. More information can be found on their website.