Mr. Fritz Engler was born on the family farm in Washington Township, graduating from Bangor High School in 1970. There, he was a member of the wrestling squad.

"I especially enjoyed all my math courses," he says. After two years at Penn State University, Fritz took his mechanical skills to Hercules Cement now (Buzzi-Unicem) and was hired on March 20, 1970.

"I started on the labor gang at $3.25 an hour," he says. "My 41 years here have taken me into every area of the plant."

Fritz has been in the packhouse and has worked as a millwright, electrician, repairman, quarryman and mill worker, learning all the fundamentals of cement production.

In 1984 he began an electrical apprenticeship, attending classes at the vocational tech school and Northampton Community College. The plant was being transformed from basic electric to electronic. In today's plant, electricians maintain complex instruments which enable the facility to operate in a safe and efficient manner.

"Safety is a top priority," Mr. Engler says. "I have served on the safety committee for more than 20 years. There are monthly safety inspections checking on any problems that may exist and solving them."

He is also a miners representative and accompanies MSHA inspectors who check the plant semi-annually. Inspections can vary from days to weeks. Mr. Greg Knecht is the plant safety director.

I asked about some problems they have faced at the plant.

"In 2004 a hurricane idled the plant for two weeks as water inundated the plant, but with hard work we brought the plant back on line, Fritz remembers

Today, Mr. Engler works as a quarry maintenance man. The quarry operates with a system of crushing and conveying equipment. Proper gear is always utilized where electric service reaches 4,160 volts.

Fritz grew up on a farm with six brothers and sisters, he brings that work ethic to the plant each day. He is always on call and makes numerous trips to the quarry during the year, working closely with supervisor Guy Schwartz and his co-workers in keeping the quarry operating in an efficient manner.

Mr. Engler's father was a long time cement trucker for MTS. His brother, Ed, and his son, Nathan, have all hauled cement from the Buzzi-Unicem plant, a real cement family.

Mr. Engler enjoys the daily challenges of his job. I found him to be a very knowledgeable and skilled employee with an amiable personality and a keen interest in his job. Indeed, a dedicated cement worker!

He enjoys hunting, gardening and working on the farm. Fritz has been married to the former Cynthia Slack for 40 years, they are proud of daughters Jaime and Kristen and son Ryan. They reside in Washington Township.

Hercules, Buzzi-Unicem has called Stockertown home for almost a century. We all hope they continue to prosper and produce quality cement. I look forward to seeing all my friends at the plant again, when I visit next year.