KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Worker John Middlebrooke prepares a package for delivery at the Amazon delivery station in Montgomery on Thursday.

MONTGOMERY — It is bustling inside Amazon, the first of the global company’s delivery facilities in Lycoming County.

It is a historic moment for the region as a giant of industries has begun to employ a local workforce with 150 to 200 jobs and a goal of up to 300.

Associates who start working on day one for $17 per hour get the same benefits, such as health care, that management have. That is a draw for those looking for a job, especially in a labor market trying to rebound economically after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inside a spacious, converted warehouse at 776 Saegers Station Road, associates Thursday were seen unloading, labeling, sorting and delivering packages bound for doorsteps in Williamsport, Liberty, Lock Haven and Selinsgrove.

Members of the media were given a tour led by Amazon management.

The facility technically opened on May 12, and has been in operation for a little more than three months, said Ron Boatswain, Amazon operations manager.

It is the newest Amazon delivery station and the first Amazon facility in the region. Forty-plus Amazon facilities exist now in Pennsylvania.

From tractor-trailers to homes and businesses

“We are excited to be in the area and it is great for us to have roots in rural parts of the state and country,” said Sam Fisher, Amazon spokesman, before alerting those on the tour that they had to wear rubber-soled slip-on covers over their shoes and a yellow vest.

The team was thrilled to explain how a package gets into the vans.

It starts here at one of the six dock doors, where the tractor trailers backed up and the freight with packages were unloaded onto pallets and placed on the rolling steel conveyor line.

At this point, on the rolling conveyor line, the packages were scanned by an individual with a hand-held device that allowed those in sorting to know the destination and customer name.

The packages continued on the journey as the conveyor snaked around toward the sorting area. Various associates were working in different locations.

The packages and bags were stored in carts to be loaded by the driver who pulled up in the back of the facility to marked spaces for the vans or private vehicles. This is called the launch pad area.

The launch pad area has a roof so van drivers and packages stay dry no matter what the weather is like.

The drivers also carry a device that gives them instructions on what and where the packages are located in the cart area.

The drivers are notified if the packages are 35 pounds or more, said Brandi Brackley, Amazon multi-station senior office manager.

Whenever a package arrives with damaged items, Amazon has a team at the fulfillment center dedicated to ensuring customer service and satisfaction. The items will either be replaced or sent back for a refund.

Inside, there is no loud machinery where associates have to wear earplugs and there is no smoke or dust. The interior is climate controlled and kept comfortable for associates and the merchandise. Near the dock doors there is a miniature basketball set where employees on break can relax and destress.

Shifts start at 2:30 a.m. and the van drivers typically pull in at 8:40 a.m. Amazon has what is called flex deliveries, which enable workers to get some extra income. Deliveries are also made for two private businesses not affiliated with Amazon at the facility. On a typical shift, 20 to 30 associates may be working.

Amazon’s plant is hiring, mainly for associates processing packages.

The 2:30 a.m. shift is the first shift but associates get to select what shift works best for them. And the associates can change the shifts or schedule them on a daily basis depending on their needs.

Shifts are typically four and a half hours, although they can be split and the associate can work twice as much, Fisher said.

The next closest Amazon delivery facility is in Hazleton. As expected, the peak time for business is from November through mid-January.

Global company with local roots

While Amazon has a global reach and invested $17 billion in infrastructure and operations, it depends on the regional workforce to keep it humming.

“We are really pleased to be able to provide these jobs and get the packages to the customers from our Lycoming County site,” Fisher said.

While Amazon is certainly a global company it sets up with facilities that have local roots. Its associates are families, friends and neighbors.

“The Amazon employees want to donate time and volunteer in local causes and to ingratiate themselves in the community as good neighbors,” Fisher said.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Copyright © Williamsport Sun-Gazette | https://www.sungazette.com | 252 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17703 | 570-326-1551