Golden Employees: 50 Years of Dedication and Excellence

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Rocky Mount, North Carolina - On February 14th, 1975, Vickie Desalsi began her career at Kaba Ilco in what was then known as Order Editing within Customer Service. Hired on the spot after visiting with a friend, Vickie’s passion for customer service has shaped her unforgettable 50-year journey.

Reflecting on her early days, Vickie shares, “When I first started, it took six people to complete an order. There were many steps — orders were placed, I’d edit them, send them to key punchers, they’d send it back for proofing, and then shipping would handle the final process. Now, it’s all streamlined into one step.”

Her reputation for exceptional service speaks for itself. “Many of my customers say I have excellent customer service skills and are happy to speak with me. That means a lot to me,” she adds.

As Kaba Ilco grew, so did Vickie. She embraced every change, always striving for excellence. Her advice to new employees: “Give it a chance, don’t give up, and take time to perfect your craft.”

Gabriele Villa, Vickie’s manager, says, “Vickie is truly one of a kind! Her remarkable commitment and dedication set her apart. She consistently goes the extra mile to serve Ilco customers and achieve her KPIs. Here’s to celebrating her incredible contributions and unwavering passion for excellence!”

Vickie’s dedication and positive energy have left a lasting mark, and her legacy at Ilco will always be remembered.

“Thank you Kaba Ilco, for always being my Valentine.” – Vickie Desalsi

GOLDEN EMPLOYEES

Rocky Mount, North Carolina - The summer of 1974 marked the beginning of the careers of four young women at Ilco: Margie Gray, quality inspector; Bertha Greene, material handler I; Shirley Deberry, machine operator; and Nancy Harrison, assembler, each destined to leave an indelible mark with over 50 years of service. Their journey began five decades ago, each bringing their unique talents and unwavering dedication to their roles.

Margie and Bertha were strangers until they started at Ilco on July 15, 1974, just as Shirley and Nancy did when they joined on August 19, 1974. However, over the last 50 years, they have become close friends both at work and outside of it. Additionally, for all four women, the friendships they've made at Ilco have been a significant part of why they chose to stay. However, their greatest satisfaction stems from their passion for the job. 

Starting out in similar positions and with the support of Ilco, the women have found their own career paths.

In her role as a quality inspector, Margie leverages her extensive experience and deep understanding of various machines. She calibrates, cleans, verifies part tolerances and approves them for return to the production floor, ensuring the creation of top-quality keys. Outside of work, she finds joy in traveling and being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

As a material handler, Bertha selects the appropriate dies from the modular machine and orders cutters, die plates, or other necessary tools for specific machine operations. After work, Bertha unwinds at home with a good TV show. In addition, she particularly enjoys spending time with family and taking cruises with her close friend Margie.

In her position as a machine operator at Ilco, Shirley handles several responsibilities, including reaming the holes in the cylinder post-plating. Additionally, she operates two other machines that create one or two holes alongside the pin holes. The relationships Shirley has built at Ilco are deeply meaningful to her, particularly since she met her husband of 42 years while working there. Beyond her professional life, Shirley enjoys spending time with her husband, engaging in meaningful conversations, attending church, and occasionally traveling together.

As a skilled assembler at Ilco, Nancy plays a pivotal role in assembling cams and tailpieces onto cylinders, which are crucial components that secure the cylinder assembly. On a typical day, Nancy efficiently completes approximately a thousand assemblies. Moreover, she adeptly fills in wherever her assistance is required. Nancy, once a shy individual, now delights in making people laugh and treasures her friendships deeply.

Throughout their tenure, Margie, Bertha, Shirley, and Nancy have made lasting impacts across various departments, projects, and people at Ilco.

"We are celebrating the remarkable 50-year tenures of Margie, Bertha, Shirley, and Nancy.  These marvelous milestones are a testament to their dedication and Ilco's commitment to creating a supportive and inspiring workplace. Their enduring legacies highlight our focus on the alignment of employee growth with corporate objectives. We are proud to celebrate not only their milestones but also the thriving culture we have collectively cultivated. At Ilco, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse environment that encourages personal growth and development, and we are committed to providing opportunities for our team members to grow and thrive." Rami Saideh, SVP Region North America.

Employees like Margie, Bertha, Shirley, and Nancy are central to Ilco's success. If you are interested in the career opportunities at Ilco visit Ilco Careers for the latest available positions.