JAMESTOWN — The newest manufacturing operation in Jamestown is growing rapidly, according to Meghan Bintz, general manager of Shocker Hitch LLC.
The Jamestown operation is an expansion from the original Shocker Hitch Co., which has been producing equipment for connecting trailers of all types to vehicles for more than 20 years at Arthur, North Dakota.
“We have 33 employees between the two locations,” Bintz said. “It is about evenly split between Arthur and Jamestown.”
The Jamestown crew has worked in the new Jamestown location since late February. The building had previously been the home of RealTruck.com and most recently Infinity Builders.
The Shocker Hitch company builds specialized hitches that increase the comfort and safety of people towing trailers with their vehicles.
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“Anything you need for towing, we make it,” said Curtiss Heidebrink, purchasing and procurement specialist for the company.
What makes the Shocker Hitch unique is its ability to cushion the shocks and jerks that occur when the vehicle and trailer encounter bumps in the road. The shock absorbing capacity is provided by air bladders that can be adjusted to accommodate the specific weight of the trailer and load in any circumstance.
“The advantage is that these hitches take out 60% to 90% of the road shock,” Heidebrink said. “It makes for safer and smoother towing.”
Robert Sagen developed the hitches and founded the company at Arthur. When he retired, the company was purchased by Scott Bintz and part of the operations were moved to Jamestown.
At this time, bumper-pull hitches are manufactured in Jamestown while fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailer hitches continue to be manufactured at Arthur. All are marketed under the Shocker Hitch brand.
“We build them from a wide range of raw materials,” Heidebrink said. “A lot of flat pieces and tubing, all raw steel.”
The components are welded together and assembled at the Jamestown Shocker Hitch plant. Future expansions include adding a powder coating system to apply high-quality paint to the products which are available in red and two shades of black.
The advantage is that these hitches take out 60% to 90% of the road shock. It makes for safer and smoother towing.
Customer service and sales personnel also work out of the Jamestown office. The crew is settling in for what is the busiest season in the trailer hitch and accessory industry.
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“It is seasonal,” Heidebrink said. “When the snow is gone, people will start to think about pulling campers, boats and other trailers.”
Most of their sales come from word-of-mouth and advertising videos offered through social media, Meghan Bintz said.
To meet the increased demand, the company has transitioned from building each hitch when it is ordered to creating an inventory of products.
“We are working on shipping the same day the order is placed,” Heidebrink said.
They are also working on developing a lighter hitch made of aluminum, Bintz said.
Other goals of the company include continual improvements to its products, improved customer service and increasing efficiency, she said.
Shocker Hitch is also looking to grow its workforce.
“We try to make it as fun as possible,” Bintz said. “We take people’s skills into account and let them work at what they are good at.”
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They are currently looking to hire welders, assemblers and customer service workers. Welders have an opportunity to work a three-day weekend shift putting in 36 hours while being paid for 40 hours.
Prospective workers have an opportunity to join a new company in Jamestown.
“Our current employees are happy to get into the company at the ground floor,” Bintz said. “It is an exciting environment to be in.”
Heidebrink said the company builds quality products with a one-year warranty included with all of its products. Interested customers can also learn more about the products through social media. The company offers a wide variety of hitch configurations to fit most needs.
“We don’t have an outlet here at the plant in Jamestown,” Bintz said. “Our sales are by e-commerce and through a network of dealers in the United States, Australia and Canada.”
One of its dealers is James Kota Inc., a trailer dealership on the west side of Jamestown.
“They have a good display of our products,” Bintz said.
More information is available at
www.ShockerHitch.com
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