Sandler Nonwoven Corporation holds job fair in Perry

Sandler Nonwoven Corporation held a drive-thru job fair event at their location in Perry on Tuesday August 10 and Thursday August 12. While Tuesday’s event was overshadowed by thunderstorms, Thursday’s sunny weather helped make the drive-thru a success. Over the span of the event, close to 40 applicants for the various job openings met with the Sandler staff outside. After handing in a resume, those in attendance could enjoy a free snow cone provided by Pinky’s Shaved Ice.

This job fair was not Sandler Nonwoven’s first. Back in October of 2020, the Perry Arts Center hosted the company’s first fair. It was very successful, drawing close to 80 people. With safety procedures still in place, Sandler had to get inventive for this year’s fair. While the two-day drive-thru event didn’t draw as many people as previous fairs, the president of Sandler, Tobias Baumgaertel, still thought the company was doing good. “We’re still kind of a small company. However, we try very, very hard to get people. We really tried to grab every straw we could get to find the right people.”

Despite the end of unemployment benefits, there was not a significant increase in attendance at the Sandler job fair. Keyauna Balton was one of the applicants for a position at Sandler. When Balton was asked why they were seeking a job at Sandler Nonwoven, they responded, “I’m used to customer service jobs. I wanted to find a good, secure, warehouse job.” While unemployment benefits from the past year did not increase participation in job fairs, it remains true that people are looking for a stable place of employment.

Sandler Nonwoven recognized this desire for a secure work environment. Tobias Baumgaertel explained some of what the company represented. Written on a banner was “stable and secure employer.” Sandler Nonwoven Corporation was founded in 1879, 142 years ago, which helped prove the company’s stability. Baumgaertel said, “Sandler is for the long term. We are here to stay.”

Baumgaertel wanted to note that the company was family owned and family operated. The spirit of this German family could be felt in Perry all the way from the home location of Sandler Nonwoven in Germany. “We care about our people,” said Baumgaertel.

The industrial manufacturing company had positions open for machine operating and feeding, as well as technician and warehouse keeper. While experience in the industry was seen positively, it was not a requirement. Baumgaertel understood many people seeking this job needed a career that could last until retirement. Because of this, Sandler Nonwoven was open to training individuals with the right attitude but no experience in the manufacturing industry. Baumgaertel said one of the things he saw as a benefit to Sandler Nonwoven Corporation was that there, “You are not just a number; you are an individual.”

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