[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Every company has that one employee who has outlasted all the others. Many people have come in and out through those business doors but this particular person has left a legacy. At Trendex that employee is Bruce Orsello. Today we will learn more about the story of this 47 year veteran.

 

Did you grow up near here?

Yeah, I was born in 1949 near Payne Avenue east of downtown St. Paul. It was an all Italian neighborhood back then and my grandfather came from Italy.

 

Where did you first begin working?

I was a student at Lakewood Junior College for 2 years and then St. Cloud State for 1 year. During the summers, I worked in a warehouse and also stocked groceries.

 

How did you get your start at this company?

I was looking for my first full-time job, I applied and began work in 1970. The pay was only $2.50/hour but I wasn’t here for the money. Thankfully, my pay has increased since then.

 

Have you always liked working with your hands?

I have ever since I could remember. I like creating things and I don’t think I could sit at a computer all day. When I have time off I enjoy doing odd jobs such as painting and fixing things around the house.

 

 

 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy making a lot of different things. We make a lot of unique custom products and it’s fun to be creative and see things throughout the process. Basically, I like my work and I like the people.

 

How has the company changed since you first started?

Well, what we’ve produced has changed. We used to just make products for people to store their information. Now, we make all kinds of things and have purchased a lot of new machines. There’s not as much manual labor as there used to be.

 

How have you developed as a worker over the last 47 years?

I started out not knowing anything about manufacturing. Since then, I have done almost everything there is in production. I became a supervisor and helped run the shop when Jeff and Tom purchased the company in 1985.

 

What do you plan to do once you fully retire?

Right now I like where I’m at. This job keeps me active and makes me feel younger. When it’s time to hang up the boots I think I’ll do some more traveling and work more on the house.

 

Thanks for your time Bruce.

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