Knorr Brake Employees Champion Volunteerism

At Knorr Brake Company (KBC), volunteerism is not just encouraged; it’s deeply embedded in the company culture. Employees dedicate their time to a variety of community initiatives, ranging from Habitat for Humanity projects to engaging educational events like Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

Key Highlights

Engaging Youth: Sixty-seven children participated in hands-on learning activities during Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, led by a volunteer group of 40 KBC employees.
Community Initiatives: KBC employees contribute hundreds of volunteer hours annually through the company’s Local Care initiative, focusing on education, health, environment, and social cohesion.
Corporate Support: KBC supports local outreach efforts and the broader mission of Knorr-Bremse Global Care North America Inc. (KBGCNA), their parent company’s philanthropic organization.

Knorr Brake Employees Champion Volunteerism

Inspiring the Next Generation

During Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, KBC hosted 67 children, ages 8-18, who engaged in various activities, including designing air cannons, building LEGO® catapults, and learning about different cultures. This event was made possible by the dedication of 40 KBC employee volunteers.

“You could feel the creativity, enthusiasm, and excitement throughout the building,” said Kristy Harris, senior administrative assistant, procurement/supply chain Rail NA. “Everyone came together to do an amazing job and once again make this annual day at KBC memorable for the kids. Just seeing everybody work as a team is the best part for me.”

Commitment to Community

KBC’s Local Care initiative is at the heart of their community efforts. Employees volunteer for various projects, contributing to education, health, the environment, and social cohesion. This program is part of the larger KBC Cares initiative, which is driven by a 38-member team focused on supporting community members and worthy causes nationwide.

“As a company, we are committed to supporting the community where we live and work – these efforts, with volunteerism a key part, are firmly rooted in our culture,” said Matt Shick, vice president – human resources Rail NA. “We encourage everyone to be involved, offering all team members 16 hours of volunteer time off every year. Employees throughout the organization consistently contribute their time across a range of opportunities, showing that our efforts to give back are not one-off events but are part of who we are as a company.”

Local Outreach Efforts

Beyond Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, KBC employees have been actively involved in various community projects. This year, they supported Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County by working on a duplex, participated in STEAM Nights at local schools, and helped renovate the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County.

Sustainability and Education

The KBC Green Team leads environmental initiatives, such as Adopt-A-Highway and Earth Day activities. Michelle Miller, a technical writer at KBC, shared a touching moment from Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day: “Most say the cannon because it’s so fun. But this year we had one little girl who said that her favorite part was the environmental part, and that just makes you feel good.”

Employee Pride

Jacob Miller, senior product manager at IFE North America, highlighted the pride employees feel during these events. “Walking across the central walkway of the facility, the kids were able to look down and see their parents waving back up at them,” he said. “It’s a real sense of pride. I think all the volunteers involved in the event would agree that seeing those kinds of scenes made it all the more rewarding.”

About Knorr Brake Company

Since 1973, Knorr Brake Company has led the North American rail market with innovative solutions for light rail vehicles, metro, and high-speed trains. Headquartered in Westminster, Maryland, KBC operates sales and service facilities across the U.S. and is a member of the global Knorr-Bremse group. For more information, visit Knorr Brake Company and follow on LinkedIn. Learn about career opportunities at KBC Jobs.