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Profile of Team Member – Tim Henry

Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the automotive industry, believes that “Building an exceptional company is the result of building exceptional teams with exceptional people.” Team 1 has been and continues to be a successful company because of exceptional people – its Team Members. Today continues a series of articles profiling Team 1 Plastics’ Team Members. Each month, you’ll be introduced to one of these exceptional Team Members, including Tim Henry.

Position: Operations Manager

Date of Hire: 10/31/1995

Other Positions held / Length of Each: Molding Technician – 2 months; Pinch Hitter – 9 months; Zone Caption – 15 months; Team Manager – 11 years; Production Manager – 3 years; Process Engineer – 1 year; Manufacturing Manager – 4 years

Favorite Story / Memory during Time Working at Team 1: As Tim reflected on the many memories and stories from his years at Team 1, he chose to share what he termed, “a takeaway.” He said that he works with lots of people at Team 1, and sometimes he doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with them – in particular another “key staff member.  We’re pretty good buddies. We’ll sit in a meeting and disagree, and it’ll get a little heated and the tone is raised a little bit where people think we’re going to be upset and mad at each other and not speaking. Then, after the meeting, we’ll get up and say, ‘Ready to go to lunch?’ That’s my takeaway. I’ve made friends here at Team 1. I came to Albion not knowing anyone here, and over the course of my work history, I’ve made what I would consider real friends.”

How has Team 1 helped your Personal and/or Professional Development? “Team 1 has helped me tremendously. It has taught me how to open up and interact more with people and to wear multiple hats.” Before joining Team 1 Plastics, Tim had worked two other jobs – one cooking at a fast food establishment and one working security for a local industrial company. He said that there weren’t a lot of opportunities in either of these positions to interact with people. “I really thought I was an introverted person. When I got to Team 1, I kinda blossomed. Team 1 has helped me realize that I’m not as introverted as I thought.”  And, Tim said that Team 1 has given him tons of challenges – “challenges that I never once had imagined myself doing. I have worked with so many people, and I’ve dealt with so many people that it’s mind numbing; but at the same time, I count it as a blessing. It’s been a tremendous opportunity.”

Favorite Aspect of Working at Team 1: Tim emphatically said, “The Championship Dream. It’s super! I think more companies should do things like this. I love that concept. You take somebody who’s willing to learn and has some initiative and some drive and you see how far you can take this person up the ladder of the company. I think Team 1 does a great job of that.” He added that from his perspective, it seems that some of the newer Team Members don’t want to take advantage of this opportunity. For him, the Championship Dream is really what sold him on Team 1.

What do you want to share about your life outside of Team 1? Tim is married and has three daughters, ages 11, 14, and 17. His family is his “first and foremost interest,” followed by his love of motorcycles.  He said that he has loved motorcycles, “… since the first time my brother taught me how to ride a bike” when he was 7 or 8 years old. Asked about his preference of motorcycle manufacturer, Tim said that he prefers the precision ride of a Honda.

Piece of Advice and/or Encouragement for Future Team 1 Team Members: “Take advantage of all the opportunities that you’ve got at Team 1.” Tim realizes that when some Team Members begin working at Team 1 Plastics, they don’t anticipate being at the company for a long period of time. But, he would encourage them that “…while you’re here, take advantage of everything that comes your way.”

Random Question: How many keys on your key ring? “Probably seven, and I know each key.”