Our Team | Vulcan Spring

Scott Rankin

Visionary & President

My passion for Vulcan Spring is to see the proper team in place, guiding us into the future by helping our clients succeed the best way they can. I am the former president of the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) – which is the association for the North American Spring manufacturers, and it is recognized worldwide.

Home town: Dresher, Pa. Born in Akron, Ohio.

Educational credentials: I have a degree in Marketing from Temple University.

Relevant or noteworthy experience: My first job was cleaning a church when I was 10. My first professional job out of college was with Porsche in Germany.

When hired at Vulcan: As a child Vulcan was always a part of my life…picking up springs off the floor when it was in our basement and sweeping floors. But the real work started in 1984 when I was hired full time in sales.

Why I chose Vulcan: I think Vulcan chose me.

Outside interests / hobbies: I have an amazing wife and 3 kids, and I love to play with cars. Old cars. 1960s and ’70s. My wife and I made a movie that was released fall 2012. A fun family Christmas movie, “Angels Sing”. www.anglessingmovie.com. It is available On Demand and can be found on the Hallmark channel during the holiday season.

Philanthropic endeavors: This is where the fun begins - We are the sole support of an orphanage in India called Hebron Children’s Home. I’m on the board of the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. I help at a camp each year to teach teens from around the world to be leaders in their communities. I mentor kids in robotics for FIRST robotics, give to support Family Life and the Philadelphia Zoo as well as many other organizations.

An event that inspired me: My time in Germany was very important to me. It was my first real experience learning to live on my own far from the comforts of home. I gained appreciation of other people and their cultures and decided that through that experience I would rather be a fountain and not a drain in the world. I found that everyone that I had met had a skill that I could learn from.

In my opinion, what is the greatest engineering achievement of all time? I’m kind of partial to the wheel. It seems to be really useful and I don’t know who really came up with the idea. I think it is highly underrated considering everyone seems to use one. I think we should have a yearly celebration of the wheel.

What car you'd drive, if money (or street laws) were no object: Bad question for me. I love my 1971 Chevelle convertible. Not the most expensive but I sure do feel good driving it. I’ve driven more expensive and fancier cars, but this is still my favorite. It makes me smile when I hear the engine roar when I hit the gas.

Any story, fact or interesting tidbit: I learned that giving is better than receiving. However, the more you give, it seems the more you get. I would like to leave this world knowing that I gave back more than I took. Maybe if I keep at it, I will figure out the secret to doing that successfully. I want to live my life with gratitude.

And on that note, I want to thank all of our clients for the many years of business that you have trusted to the Vulcan team. I am grateful for the work we have done together and I look forward to many more years of solving important mechanical issues for your companies and customers.

Contact: scott@vulcanspring.com

Scott Rankin

Visionary & President

Bill Krauss

Chief Operating Officer

Home town: Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan (suburban Detroit)

Educational credentials: B.S., Economics, Penn State University

Relevant or noteworthy experience: 35 years experience in the spring industry.

When hired at Vulcan: 1996

Why I chose Vulcan: I met Scott Rankin shortly after I began working in the industry. We both represented our respective companies at industry meetings, and as we got to know each other better it seemed like we were destined to join forces some day. After 12 years I finally decided it was time for a change and joined Vulcan. Over the years I believe we have proven that our skills provide a great balance. We both take our responsibilities very seriously, but are able to have fun at the same time.

Outside interests / hobbies: Enjoy playing golf but my dedication to spring-making has ruined any hopes I had of making the senior tour. So instead, I try to keep active and enjoy long walks because this is when I do my best thinking! Woodworking & projects around the house are also relaxing activities when time permits. Also enjoy trips with my wife (and sometimes the kids too!).

Philanthropic endeavors: I have done a little work with some of the local schools to educate kids on opportunities in manufacturing careers. Thanks to our media, too many people see manufacturing as nothing but dirty dead-end jobs, when in truth there are vast opportunities for challenging and rewarding careers. As a veteran in industry I feel a responsibility to promote manufacturing and attract our next generation of workers.

An event that inspired me: My father inspired my love of manufacturing at a very young age by taking me through large automobile parts and assembly plants in Detroit. He ran a large division of a tier-1 supplier and I would often go to work with him on Saturdays and walk through the plant. The sights, sounds and smells of the gigantic presses making body panels for automobiles are permanently etched in my memory. At the age of 18 I spent the summer working in a plant that made truck wheels and decided I wanted to pursue a career in manufacturing.

In my opinion, what is the greatest engineering achievement of all time? The jet engine and commercial aircraft have changed our world by allowing people to travel freely and safely around the world.

What car you'd drive, if money (or street laws) were no object: With my long commute (over an hour each way), I would actually prefer to fly a personal jet. If I could take off from my driveway and land on Vulcan’s roof my life would be so much better! I actually believe personal jet craft (yes like the Jetsons!) are not that far off and will have a dramatic impact on how people travel in the future.

Any story, fact or interesting tidbit: ? I appreciate good beer and if I wasn’t working at Vulcan I would love to own a craft brewery. I have visited many craft breweries and have never encountered an unhappy person, and people usually leave feeling better than when they arrived. I think it would be cool to create and promote beer, and to be surrounded by people with the same passion. This is not to say that we don’t have fun at Vulcan, because we do! So until you see my name on a bottle of beer, I will be at Vulcan making sure every customer and employee that chooses to work with us winds up feeling better than when they arrived.

Contact: bill@vulcanspring.com

Bill Krauss

Chief Operating Officer

Donny Berrios

Customer Service

Chris Bauer

Strategic Account Manager

David Frederick

Manufacturing Manager

Glenn Stewart

Chief Financial Officer

Gregory Melanson

Applications Engineer

Jocelyn Merlo

Customer Service

Jon Racis

Sales Manager

Sue Geitz

Human Resource Manager

Home town: Telford, PA

Educational credentials: B.S. in Business

Relevant or noteworthy experience: I grew up in a small manufacturing family business which helped me build my foundation and core work ethic. That foundation has transitioned into over 20+ years of Human Resource experience in a variety of industries including hospitality, pharmaceutical, aerospace/defense and back into manufacturing. With each opportunity I gained incredible knowledge, learned from some of the best and worst co-workers, grew as an individual and have been able to give back to each employer and fellow co-workers.

Why I chose Vulcan: There are many reasons why. Our team here stands apart from any other organization I have previously worked for. I am excited to be part of a company that has so many opportunities and possibilities ahead of them. Vulcan has an incredibly bright future and to be a part of continuing the existing legacy and help craft and build the company’s future is not a chance that comes along often at your place of work. I am thrilled to be a part of this team and work with such great people.

Outside interests / hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my 3 German Shepherds, whether it is at the shore, hiking or snuggling at home. My happy place is close to the water where I am paddle boarding, out on a boat, kayaking or lounging reading a good book. Food is one of my best friends and can get lost in the kitchen or cooking over the grill with old family recipes or coming up with something new and creative.

Philanthropic endeavors: All of my dogs are rescues. It started with one and then there was the next fuzzy face I could not say no to. And then came number 3. One I trained to be a Search & Rescues K9. I support Woody’s Place Senior Shepherd Sanctuary for whom I am currently forever fostering a beautiful 10 year old boy that recently joined our pack. Being a part of a family that has veterans of the Air Force, Marines and a current member of the United States Army I am a supporter of our military and of the Wounded Warriors organization.

An event that inspired me: My mom was my biggest fan and my hero. We had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks, no agenda, an open road and no plan, driving from Las Vegas to Philly. We zig zagged across the country having our own “Thelma and Louise” adventure hitting a few spots like the Hoover Dam, Bryce, Zion & Arches National Parks, Jackson Hole, Old Faithful, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore and the House on the Rock along the way. She passed several years later from cancer and if there is anything that I have learned is that life is short, don’t take it for granted, live as if every day is your last, and to stop and smell the roses along the way.

In my opinion, what is the greatest engineering achievement of all time? I believe it to be the wheel. There is not much that we can do today without the original idea/concept/shape of the wheel being a part of the design. It plays a huge factor in transportation to modern day machinery and anything in between.

What car you'd drive, if money (or street laws) were no object: I would not turn down a 1969 Chevy Camaro SS or a 2019 Chevy ZL1. And it would have to be red in color.

Contact: hr@vulcanspring.com