Nick Wiebelhaus never expected to find a career in manufacturing. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a PhD in Chemistry in 2011, Nick found jobs in his chosen field hard to come by, due in large part to the recession. However, not one to back down from a challenge, Nick took a job with a manufacturing company as a production employee. Soon, Nick was running the company’s compliance department and, not long after that, was asked to help establish its new headquarters in Shelby, North Carolina.
A year and a half later, Nick took on to his current role as Plant Manager of Greenheck, a leading manufacturer of air-movement and control equipment with Cleveland County operations in Shelby and Kings Mountain. In Nick’s first year on the job, the company increased sales by 100 percent and continues to grow rapidly, adding jobs across a variety of skill levels at its Cleveland County facilities.
For Nick, moving from Tucson, Arizona to Kings Mountain, North Carolina was a big adjustment, but one that he and his family welcomed. “I was wary of the idea of moving to a small town at first, but once I got here I was impressed by how innovative the facilities were and surprised at how rich the history was,” he said. “The pace of life here is slower, but there is a real energy, especially in Uptown Shelby.” The best part about the move for Nick? “The cost of living is really very low.”
According to Nick, there is plenty of opportunity to get involved at the local level in Cleveland County. “There are a lot of great leaders here with a future-oriented attitude for growth,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed being part of that. If I were still in Tucson, I wouldn’t necessarily be involved the way I am here.” The small scale also contributes to smaller class sizes for his children, who are enrolled in the Cleveland County School System in Shelby.
“I love how green it is here,” he added. “The colors in general are absolutely beautiful. Plus, there are lots of options for outdoor activities —from fishing and kayaking, to hiking.”