A month ago, mayor Huck Lewis of Lebanon could say his town had never experienced severe damage form a tornado. He can't say that now. Parts of Lebanon were ravaged by the outbreak of tornadoes on Sunday, Nov. 17.
The CNH Industrial Master Parts Depot took a particularly big hit. This depot supplied parts to 10 other depots in North America, and is the hub of the CNH Industrial parts distribution system. That includes distribution of parts for Case IH, New Holland, Case Industrial and New Holland Industrial Equipment.
Devastating day: Note the damage to the roof and inside the huge CNH Industrial Master Depot at Lebanon caused by the Nov.17 tornado. The depot is up and running again. (Photo courtesy CNH Industrial.)
Just up the street, the Special Processing Center was in its final stage of preparation for a Dec. 9 grand opening. It was not damaged. The opening went on as scheduled. The third CNH Industrial facility in the industrial complex at Lebanon – the Shipping and Receiving Center (where parts first come into the system) – also did not suffer major damage.
Despite extensive damage, Scott Harris, vice president if the division for CNH Industrial, says quick action by security staff prevented injuries. Part of the roof section was damaged, with inside damage as well.
"We are happy to say we had it back up and running before December 9," Harris says. "We took it section by section and put it back together. We are grateful to our partners herein Lebanon and to Duke Realty which is a major partner with our complex here."
Employees who were assigned to the damaged area of the building did not work during reconstruction, Harris explains. However, he was proud to announce that CNH Industrial compensated them as if they had worked, and they did not lose any pay because of the interruption in work schedules caused by the tornado.
Overall, CNH Industrial employs more than 600 people in Lebanon, with up to 100 more employees to be hired to get the Special Processing Center up to full production.
Photos courtesy CNH Industrial.
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