Melissa Pratt
Associate SAP Key User
ThyssenKrupp Presta

When Melissa Pratt graduated from Danville High School, she didn't have a clear career pathway in mind to follow. Her mother worked at ThyssenKrupp Presta, so Melissa was given the opportunity to work as summer help at Thyssen's Crankshaft division down the road. After taking a few classes at Danville Area Community College, Melissa was hired on at Presta in the Accounting Department in 2000 where her work revolved around accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll. In 2004 she was promoted to the Logistics Department. "I am good with numbers and knew SAP so I got a promotion to help them on controlling inventory. Then I went into the SAP role."

Today, as Associate SAP Key User, Melissa sets up all the new materials that they produce, and has a strong knowledge of the SAP manufacturing software. "I love my job! Logistics changes constantly. No two days are alike. Every day when I walk in the door I've got shipments going out the door, I have inventory issues, or I have management wanting to know how our sales are. With my position, I control all the inventory and move from plant to plant (there are three buildings on the Presta campus). I help people out, train people and just keep them going and motivated to do what they need to do."

Melissa thoroughly enjoys the fast-pace and the challenges her job offers. "I love multi-tasking, and I have great managers that support me and help prioritize what I need to focus on. I also have two people that work below me, so it is a total team effort." Melissa's progression up her career ladder has just begun. Her next goal is to advance farther into SAP and get into the programming side to actually make the software work the way she wants it to."

Today's manufacturing is greatly misunderstood, according to Melissa. "A lot of people think in manufacturing you just stand around, load machines and don't do very much. That's not true at ThyssenKrupp Presta. There are many opportunities, and they work with you so if you go to an area that doesn't suit you, they will find an area that does."

Melissa has no regrets about staying in Danville either. "I'll probably always stay around here because my family is here. I have two children and like the schools, the children's sports activities and the people in general."

Melissa's advice to students thinking about where their career will be: "I think if you are a motivated and hard working person, you'll fit in just fine where ever you go."


Training Available through Danville Area Community College for Industrial Support Positions:
Industrial Maintenance AAS 67 cr
Maintenance Mechanic Cert 37 cr
Advanced Maintenance Mech Cert 18 cr
Electronic Technology AAS 67 cr
Machine Tool Operations Cert 30 cf
Manufacturing Engineering Tech AAS 67 cr
Manufacturing Engineering Tech (CAD) 63 cr
Corporate & Community Education customized training

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