Monroe News: Tenneco discusses competitive edge during first visit from Tim Walberg
November 10, 2015
Tenneco Inc. is constantly changing to stay competitive, officials said.
While standing at the Wall of Innovation, Joseph Bacarella, manager of product training and technical assistance, told Congressman Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, about the company's long history in Monroe.
"We have hundreds of patents over the years dating back to the early 1900s," Mr. Bacarella told the Congressman who visited the facility Monday. "We are constantly releasing new patents as vehicles change to stay competitive."
Mr. Bacarella gave a brief history of the company, which was created by Charles S. McIntyre Sr. and August F. Meyer in 1926.
Formerly Monroe Auto Equipment Co. (MAECO), it was purchased by Tenneco Automotive in the late 1970s
Mr. Bacarella showed the congressman a display case with samples of old products including a brisk blast tire pump that was created back in 1916.
"It was so well designed it caught the eye of Mc-Intyre," Mr. Bacarella said.
He talked about the evolution of the company from the tire pump to Monro- matic shocks, anti- sway bars, car jacks and more.
In 1937, the company employed 2,000 people. Today, it employs more than 17,000 worldwide, officials said.
During Congressman Walberg's visit, he spoke with top company officials, visited test labs and hosted a town hall meeting with a few dozen employees.
"I grew up wrenching on cars," Congressman Walberg said to the crowd.
He talked about growing up around cars and how his father turned their garage into a "grease pit."
After brief remarks, Congressman Walberg took questions relating to roads, attracting talent to the region and cost of education, among others.
The congressman talked about the Highway Trust Fund, which he said will afford state and local municipalities access to funding to improve roads.
"We need to move in that direction by having more flexibility in funding," he said.
As far as attracting talent, he talked about forming partnerships between Monroe County Intermediate School District, Monroe County Community College and manufacturing associations to have students better prepared for the workforce. He also talked about the Skills Act, which he said will boost grant money for states and local communities for talent. It was the congressman's first trip to Tenneco.
"I am delighted to be here and meet the team and get a better idea of what you do," Congressman Walberg said.
This article originally appeared in the November 10, 2015 edition of the Monroe News.
While standing at the Wall of Innovation, Joseph Bacarella, manager of product training and technical assistance, told Congressman Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, about the company's long history in Monroe.
"We have hundreds of patents over the years dating back to the early 1900s," Mr. Bacarella told the Congressman who visited the facility Monday. "We are constantly releasing new patents as vehicles change to stay competitive."
Mr. Bacarella gave a brief history of the company, which was created by Charles S. McIntyre Sr. and August F. Meyer in 1926.
Formerly Monroe Auto Equipment Co. (MAECO), it was purchased by Tenneco Automotive in the late 1970s
Mr. Bacarella showed the congressman a display case with samples of old products including a brisk blast tire pump that was created back in 1916.
"It was so well designed it caught the eye of Mc-Intyre," Mr. Bacarella said.
He talked about the evolution of the company from the tire pump to Monro- matic shocks, anti- sway bars, car jacks and more.
In 1937, the company employed 2,000 people. Today, it employs more than 17,000 worldwide, officials said.
During Congressman Walberg's visit, he spoke with top company officials, visited test labs and hosted a town hall meeting with a few dozen employees.
"I grew up wrenching on cars," Congressman Walberg said to the crowd.
He talked about growing up around cars and how his father turned their garage into a "grease pit."
After brief remarks, Congressman Walberg took questions relating to roads, attracting talent to the region and cost of education, among others.
The congressman talked about the Highway Trust Fund, which he said will afford state and local municipalities access to funding to improve roads.
"We need to move in that direction by having more flexibility in funding," he said.
As far as attracting talent, he talked about forming partnerships between Monroe County Intermediate School District, Monroe County Community College and manufacturing associations to have students better prepared for the workforce. He also talked about the Skills Act, which he said will boost grant money for states and local communities for talent. It was the congressman's first trip to Tenneco.
"I am delighted to be here and meet the team and get a better idea of what you do," Congressman Walberg said.
This article originally appeared in the November 10, 2015 edition of the Monroe News.
Issues:Local Issues