For decades, Viking Range and Lynx Grills have built a reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and premium home appliances. Maintaining that standard requires more than advanced manufacturing equipment—it requires a workforce equipped with the latest skills and knowledge.
As manufacturing technologies evolved, Viking recognized the need to invest in employee development continuously. Specialized training in areas such as robotics, process improvement, leadership, and advanced manufacturing would help employees adapt to new technologies, improve efficiency, and maintain the company’s high standards. However, the cost of these programs created a challenge, making it difficult to expand training opportunities at the scale the company needed.
To address this need, Viking partnered with South Delta Planning & Development District and leveraged workforce resources managed by AccelerateMS. Through the grant, the company was able to make strategic investments in workforce training while aligning with Mississippi’s broader workforce development priorities.
The partnership allowed Viking to provide employees with a wide range of professional development opportunities, including Six Sigma Certification, Robotics Programming, Enhanced Welding, FMEA and Asset Criticality Analysis, KANBAN/Lean Training, On-the-Job Training, Leadership Skills Training, and Press Brake Training. These programs equipped employees with both technical expertise and leadership skills, helping strengthen every stage of the manufacturing process.
The impact has extended well beyond the classroom. Viking has seen stronger collaboration across departments, higher employee retention and job satisfaction, continuous improvements in manufacturing processes, increased safety awareness, enhanced technical capabilities, and higher-quality products. By investing in its workforce, the company has reinforced the culture of excellence that has defined its brand for generations.
Viking’s story demonstrates how investing in workforce development creates lasting value for both employees and employers.