More than a dozen manufacturing
firms call Yankton home
Why?
What makes Yankton a community where
they want to build a plant and employ
workers?
According
“We’ve been in Yankton to Mike
Husman,
for more than
division
50 years and have
head of the
plans to remain here,”
Inductor
he added. “For the
Division
most part, the political
of Vishay,
environment in Yankton Yankton
and South Dakota is
allows the
friendly to business/
company to
manufacturing.”
be relatively
close to
some of its major customers and build strong
relationships with them.
“We’ve been in Yankton for more than
50 years and have plans to remain here,”
he added. “For the most part, the political
environment in Yankton and South Dakota
is friendly to business/manufacturing. Our
Yankton location provides an experienced,
stable workforce who work well together
and also with their worldwide teams.”
Worker compensation permits Vishay to
be competitive, and operating costs such as
utilities are low compared to the company’s
other sites throughout the world, Husman
said.
“The work ethic in Yankton is generally
as good, if not better, than other regions of
the world,” he stated. “Yankton is sometimes
more attractive than other regions when
comparing concerns for corruption, ethics,
safety and regional political stability.”
Vishay has locations in places such as
Marshall and Duluth, Minn.; Dover, N.H.;
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Juarez,
Mexico; Beer Sheva, Israel; and two locations
in China.
Like most Midwestern communities,
66 – Yankton, South Dakota
Yankton and the surrounding area is filled
with people who have a strong work ethic.
Also, South Dakota programs designed to
support the creation of job opportunities
have benefited the Yankton market.
But for some, the reasons for doing
business in Yankton are much simpler. That’s
the case with Brian Strahl, Ken Karolevitz,
Jackie Smith and Lee Orth, who own Dakota
Trailer Manufacturing.
“For the four of us, we’re all from here,”
Strahl said. “I love this town. I love the fishing,
the hunting. I like that my kids play sports at
Yankton High where I graduated. These other
guys have a lot of the same thoughts.”
Strahl said he believes there must be
advantages to having a manufacturing plant
in Yankton, otherwise his peers wouldn’t
be located here. One such advantage is the
presence of the Regional Technical Education
Center (RTEC),
he stated.
“For me, it’s
my hometown,”
Strahl admits.
“I can’t tell you
the advantages
of the other
towns, because
I’ve never
•Free continental breakfast
looked. I’ve
•Free local phone calls
never wanted
to. Maybe we’re •24-hour front desk service
a little odd that
•Free Cable, HBO
way.”
•Clean, quiet accommodations
Of course,
Yankton
•Pool/Hot tub •Free Wi-Fi
also poses
Major credit cards accepted
challenges for
manufacturers. 605-665-8717
Husman said
it’s a challenge 2410 Broadway Ave. Yankton
to add staff for
-Meeting Roomnon-traditional Book your Block rooms
for your guests.