AirBoss has been, and always will be, a company that’s as invested in, devoted to, and proud of our people as we are our products. That’s because it’s the people behind the products that power our success.
AirBoss of America and its subsidiaries—AirBoss Rubber Solutions, and AirBoss Manufactured Products—wouldn’t be a world leader in rubber compounding innovation if it weren’t for the skills, knowledge, and determination of our people.
When people mean this much to a company, it’s important to make sure that they’re supported. That’s where Luanne Sitterly steps in as the “one and only” Human Resources (HR) Manager for AirBoss Rubber Solution’s Scotland Neck, North Carolina facility.
In her position, and over only a few short years, Luanne has seen the Scotland Neck plant grow and thrive. “We’ve doubled our employee base in-house over the last four years,” she says. “Rubber manufacturing has been a whole new world for me. It’s been a challenge at times, but I have a lot of support.”
As Human Resources Manager, Luanne is quick to point out that while she has the support of the local and home offices, being able to provide support is a big part of what makes her job so rewarding.
Learning the Ropes to Help Others Not Get Tangled
Luanne got to know the ins and outs of the business side of things before she entered Human Resources. She attributes her commitment to AirBoss’s employees and manufacturing processes to this early learning.
“When I first started, I worked in Purchasing where I learned all about P.O. creation and all that good stuff,” Sitterly shares. “Then I began to help with all kinds of aspects around the plant. I became the front office coordinator and later moved into the HR role.”
“So, I got to know the team quite well,” she says. “And as we grow, I learn the new faces that come onboard.” Her time spent learning the ropes at AirBoss has helped her understand, assist with, and resolve employee challenges.
Because she’s familiar with the intricacies involved in manufacturing-floor processes and the behind-the-scenes aspects of material purchasing and other departments, she can help employees avoid any tangled-up or confusing aspects of their work.
Human Resources Is More Than People Management
It’s easy for people to simplify a position like Luanne’s as being little more than a human wrangler, but the reality behind Human Resources is so much more than that.
When asked to define why Human Resources is important, Luanne began with a fairly boilerplate response before she peeled back her surface-level definition to go deeper.
She explained, “For companies in general, HR is there to support the workforce. HR makes sure the laws of labor are set up and followed, not only for the employees’ benefit but also for the employer. But I’m really here to help and support employees through their day-to-day.”
According to Luanne, an AirBoss employee’s day-to-day challenges and concerns in the HR Department include everything from assisting with insurance, hourly compensation clarification, instilling a sense of company inclusion, ensuring physical safety and mental well-being, and all of the in-betweens.
“I’m like an advocate for them,” Sitterly says with a sense of pride. “I get all kinds of requests. I kind of fill in the gaps.”
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Life Has Always Been About Helping People for Sitterly
Believe it or not, Human Resources Manager wasn’t Luanne’s first career choice.
While she’s passionate about her role at AirBoss Rubber Solution now, she lived an entire life (in a sense) before she started at AirBoss. Born and raised in upstate New York, Luanne had retired from her previous career there before she and her husband decided to escape the cold and move farther south.
What did Luanne do before she helped humans at AirBoss? She worked in healthcare as a full-time retail pharmacist and later became a home IV infusion specialist.
Even after she retired and moved to Scotland Neck, Luanne couldn’t stop her urge to volunteer. In her own words, after a year, she just needed something more to do. So, she discovered AirBoss Rubber Solutions.
“AirBoss liked my background and decided to take a chance on me, and I’ve been here ever since,” Sitterly explains. “I went from taking care of my customers in retail healthcare to taking care of my employees. I’m still in the role of helping people, and I’m happy with that.”
When Luanne isn’t at AirBoss Rubber Solutions, she enjoys her time as a volunteer at the Sylvan Heights Bird Park. She currently heads an organization called Friends of Sylvan Heights (FOSH) whose volunteers educate the public about wildlife conservation and other bird-related issues.
