Employee Spotlight: A 46-Year Manufacturing Career in Plastic Film at Achilles USA

In an industry where many employees stay only a few years, John Cha’s 46-year manufacturing career story at Achilles USA is truly exceptional. His journey reflects what can happen when a company takes a chance on potential, and an employee responds with decades of dedication, learning, and problem-solving in plastic film manufacturing.

John recently retired, closing an important chapter as one of Achilles USA’s longest-serving and most committed maintenance professionals.

Employee Spotlight: A Manufacturing Career Story That Started with a Chance

John joined Achilles USA when the plant was still under construction and several production lines were not yet running. He remembers those early days clearly, when the company was still being built and the future of the facility was taking shape. Being part of that foundational phase gave him a unique vantage point on the company’s growth in the plastic film manufacturing industry.

Living just a few miles from the plant, John arrived with almost no prior job experience. Many employers had turned him away for that reason, but Achilles USA gave him a chance. That opportunity grew into nearly five decades of hands-on work, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Learning Through Mentorship and On-the-Job Training

Early in his career, John found a crucial mentor who took him under his wing and trained him on the job. Through patient, practical instruction, his mentor helped John build the technical skills needed to support complex equipment and production processes.

As Achilles USA expanded, adding new lines and upgrading machinery, John stayed close to day-to-day operations. He made a point to learn something new every day and used that knowledge to improve systems, troubleshoot issues, and keep production running smoothly.

Engineering Practical Solutions That Last

One highlight of John’s manufacturing career story was his work on modifying a press winder on the 28C line. When a heavier six-inch shaft began causing occasional problems, John stepped in to redesign the setup so operators could use the shaft with fewer issues.

The solution worked and continued to perform well over time. It became a powerful example of how experienced maintenance professionals can engineer practical improvements that support reliability, safety, and efficiency on the production floor.

Teamwork and Continuous Learning in Manufacturing

For John, success in manufacturing has always been about teamwork. He believes that even the most skilled individual cannot achieve much without a strong team working together as a unit. That mindset shaped how he collaborated with operators, engineers, and fellow maintenance staff.

He also champions continuous learning as a key to a rewarding manufacturing career. John approached every shift as a chance to learn something new, then pass that knowledge on to coworkers. By sharing what he learned, he helped the company build a stronger technical foundation over time.

Supporting the Next Generation at Achilles USA

As someone who spent his entire career with one employer, John offers direct advice for new Achilles employees. He encourages them to do their best, treat the opportunity seriously, and recognize the long-term potential of a stable manufacturing career.

Watching Achilles USA grow from a construction site into a leading plastic film manufacturer has been a source of pride. For John, being part of that journey was both professionally and personally rewarding.

Life After a Long Manufacturing Career

In retirement, John is focusing on his health and overall well-being, including ongoing physical therapy and self-care. Away from the plant, he stays busy with home projects and especially enjoys gardening, joking that owning a house means always having something to do.

He also hopes to travel more, including trips to Hawaii and Korea to reconnect with his roots. After more than four decades of service, these plans mark a well-deserved new chapter.

A Legacy of Dedication at Achilles USA

John closes his manufacturing career story with sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work at Achilles USA for so many years. This employee spotlight highlights Achilles USA's deep gratitude for his commitment, problem-solving mindset, and the many ways he helped build and maintain critical operations. His 46-year journey is a powerful example of how a single manufacturing career story can shape a company’s history, culture, and long-term success.