Who owns Drake Enterprises? Michigan automotive plant where Donald Trump spoke has bad employee reviews
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: Drake Enterprises, a non-union auto parts company owned by the Stemple family and run by their three generations, recently welcomed former US president Donald Trump to speak to workers amid the ongoing United Auto Workers strike.
Last week it was announced that Trump would skip the second GOP debate to head to Detroit, a day after president Joe Biden's Michigan trip to join striking UAW members in picket lines, in order to host a rally featuring 500 autoworkers and other tradesmen.
However, it was later revealed that he spoke to the non-union workers at Drake Enterprises at the invitation of the company’s management. Shortly ahead of Trump's speech, the Slate pointed out that the business where the former president was set to speak had bad employee reviews online.
Overview of Drake Enterprises
As per the official website of the company, Drake Enterprises, Inc. was reportedly founded in 1952 by Benny Stemple. It is currently located in Clinton Township, Michigan, and is celebrating "over 65 years in business."
The company reportedly started as a small four man operation and went on to become an 80,000 square foot facility with more than 100 employees. Benny's son, Richard & Lee Stemple, joined their father in the business in 1964.
While Lee currently serves as the chairman of the company, Nathan Stemple is the current president. As per the official website, Drake Enterprises have "versatile manufacturing and assembling capabilities."
The company also mentions "manufacturing and assembling of gear shift levers and transmission components for the Class 8 heavy duty truck market" as one of its speciality products.
The business says it also has the capability of designing and making its own tools. The website further states that employees at Drake Enterprises "continue to strive in the competitive manufacturing environment with a vast variety of manufacturing equipment and quality products."
Drake Enterprises' bad employee reviews on recruitment site
As per comments mentioned on Indeed, a popular recruiting site, Drake Enterprises received negative reviews from employees. "Crabs in a bucket mentality," a former production worker wrote in May.
"I’ve showed Drake in my time of employment that I’m beyond the cream of the crop in production . A few things popped up and effected my attendance which can spearhead anything you have going on in Drake," the employee said.
"Good place for a job not a career," they stated, adding, "Not to mention all the moving even if it took months to learn your position most of the time with no notice."
"Bad communication and a large facade of a 'family business' because when you get a few flags missing everyone hates you," they continued.
"Belittling coworkers and management, nothing about this job is good longevity wise and McDonald’s pays more that is all," the employee alleged.
"Room for overtime is reserved for people who have nothing else going on in life because I had to caregive and handle medical issues all of which I notified to be punished on raise day," they concluded.
The employee also listed "Not much sympathy, inconsiderate raises given, back breaking work for the money. Can be lenient but rather have the more money then leniency," as some of the cons of the company.
However, they said it has "simple jobs, decent pay not the best, and benefits."
Another employee who identified themselves as a current technician said in March that Drake Enterprises is the "Worse place to work."
The technician said "machines are down all the time because of the lack of maintenance done to them. Operators are crashing machines left and right" but noted, "people are friendly and helpful."
Some reviews in Glassdoor, a popular site for reviewing workplaces, also provided a negative image of Drake Enterprises.
"DON'T WORK HERE," a former anonymous employee wrote, adding "Dirty plant. Management thinks like a football team. Owner is rude and lucky to have the company handed to him."
"When the last bell goes off you cannot wait to leave," the employee mocked as under "pros" section.
"Beware," another former employee wrote. "Management is clueless. Shop is completely dirty. The truly good people leave after a short time as there is no culture," they alleged.
"No real reason to work here. I have not found any pros yet," they added.
Amid the negative reviews, one five-star feedback on Glassdoor called Drake Enterprises as a "Great place to work" while another five-star review dubbed it a "Great company."
Wha did Nathan Stemple say about Donald Trump's visit to Drake Enterprises?
Nathan, the president of Drake Enterprises, addressed Trump's visit to their company during an interview with Fox News. "It was complete luck," Nathan mentioned.
He further explained that "some of our colleagues that we do business with reached out to us said that the president was looking for a location to host this event and we were more than willing to do so."
Nathan was also asked about the striking autoworkers during his interview, to which he said, "We’re still producing parts to create inventories and things like that and to keep our people working."