The People Behind SharkBite: Meet Myra McKenney
At RWC, the parent company of SharkBite and Cash Acme, we’re as proud of our people as we are of our products. To introduce you to folks behind the scenes who make RWC a success, we’ve decided to chat with a few of our teammates about what they do.
Get to know Myra McKenney. Originally a Cash Acme employee, she stayed with RWC after the acquisition in 2002 and has been with us for 26 years. She works in our distribution center in Cullman, Alabama, as a shipping manager.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at RWC’s Cullman site.
I started working in production as an expeditor when Cash Acme moved to Cullman in 1996. I moved into the shipping department that same year, and that’s where I have been working for 26 years. On a typical day, I ensure that customer orders are scheduled and shipped in the most effective way. On average, we ship over 700 deliveries a day, and I assign the carriers and route the freight for those orders.
2. You’ve been with RWC for over 20 years. How have you seen the company evolve over the years? What's kept you here for over two decades?
When I started working, there was only one building in Cullman, and at that time there was not even one piece of machinery in the building. When RWC took over the company, our shipping goal for the month was $2 million, which we thought was an enormous goal. But today we are shipping $63 million a month, so we have come a long way from those days.
I think the thing that has kept me here for over two decades is the fact that RWC is a very good company to work for, and they have been very good to me as long as I have worked here. Another thing that has kept me here is the wonderful friends and acquaintances that I have been able to have over the years.
3. What do you enjoy most about working at RWC?
I enjoy working with the people that lead to lifelong friendships and relationships. I feel RWC is very blessed to have such great people working here.
4. What about the manufacturing/plumbing industry are you most excited about in the near future?
I’m excited to see the growth of the company and all the job opportunities that it provides for people in our community. As the company continues to grow and expand, the opportunities for RWC employees to advance in their careers and goals in life.
5. What are some of the more challenging parts of the job?
I think one of the biggest challenges was when we moved into the new warehouse and converted from our old computer software to SAP at the same time. We were working for over 16 hours a day, and when you left for the day, you knew you were even more behind than when you started that day. It was a very challenging time, but thankfully we were able to overcome it. During my time here, we have also moved the warehouse five times, which was also very challenging.
6. What stands out to you about RWC’s manufacturing process?
I believe that we have good products that people trust to be high quality.
7. What does your work mean to you?
My goal is to work to help fill the company’s 98% on-time and fill rates for our customers. I feel if we all work toward this goal then we will have done our best to satisfy our customers' needs and to help with our company's success. What my work means to me is being able to accomplish the tasks and job that must be done each day and to feel like I have done it to the best of my ability.
Lightning Round:
- Coffee or tea? Coffee with cream!
- What's your walkup song? “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
- If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Telepathy, the ability to read people’s minds.