Award-winning craft beer. Five artisan restaurants. Specialty coffee. Hand-crafted spirits. Brothers Jason and Jim Ebel have seen their company, Two Brothers, evolve from a brewery to a thriving lifestyle brand. Growing up in Wheaton in the early 80s, the brothers could never have imagined the turn their future business would temporarily take during an unforeseen pandemic.
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order in March to slow the spread of COVID-19, the company closed most of its operations and furloughed staff.
Shortly after the lockdown, while a skeletal crew continued to roast beans at its Warrenville location, an official from The Department of Homeland Security walked in with an unexpected proposal. The federal government, facing a global hand sanitizer shortage, was reaching out to distilleries –key producers of ethanol, a central sanitizer ingredient.
The company didn’t hesitate to take action.
"It’s our patriotic duty.” Jason Ebel, Two Brothers
According to Jason, ensuring employees continued to collect a paycheck was worth the high up-front cost of a new business. “Plus,” he added “it’s our patriotic duty.”
Avoiding layoffs
In an attempt to ease Two Brothers’financial burden and avert layoffs, workNet DuPage disbursed 1E Cares Act funding, which enabled the company to purchase hydrogen peroxide, packaging, and other necessary items.
“The grant reimbursement was hugely helpful. It allowed us to employ extra workers knowing we could cover the labor expense. This made us more productive and allowed us to keep up with demand,” says Jason. As a result, the company saved dozens of jobs.
“The grant reimbursement was hugely helpful. It allowed us to employ extra workers knowing we could cover the labor expense. This made us more productive and allowed us to keep up with demand.” Jason Ebel, Two Brothers
Employees across Two Brothers’ multiple lines returned to work in their new roles as sanitizer manufacturers.
For seven weeks, Two Brothers exclusively produced hand sanitizer. “Our employees took pride in helping first responders. It felt amazing to keep essential workers safe,” said Jason.
The new shift benefited hospitals, police and fire departments, and retirement homes – all in dire need. With Sodexo’s 7,000 gallon purchase the Two Brothers’ hand sanitizer made its way across the nation.
A return to the new normal
Eight months after the pandemic outbreak, Two Brothers returned to brewing, distilling, and roasting. Hand sanitizer production remains a minor part of the business.
“We can’t thank workNet DuPage enough for helping our entire team during such a difficult time,” Jason said. The gratitude goes both ways. workNet DuPage’s unwavering commitment to companies facing challenges reflects the resilient spirit graciously modeled by two local brothers.
This article was featured in workNet DuPage's Year in Review. Learn more about how workNet DuPage steps up to help local businesses during this historic time. Read the entire reporthere.
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Peek Inside: At this location, we offer our customers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, from CNC machining all the way to complete product assembly and fulfillment.
Fun fact about our company: a robot works right alongside our machinists to produce parts with quality and efficiency!
You would like to work at our company if
you are interested in the wide range of evolving technologies, processes and creativity that go into the world of modern manufacturing.
In the next year, we expect to hire CNC machinists
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma and vocational or technical training in machining. We offer additional on-the-job training once a new machinist with the foundational skills and experience joins the team so they can continue to master their craft.
Our best machinists have: a passion about the art and science that goes into taking a raw piece of metal or plastic and forming it into a high-precision design.
CNC Machinists From this position, you could grow into
Master Machinist
Machining Business Manager
Owner of your own machining business
In the next year, we expect to hire Assembly Operators
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma, a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn and closely follow processes and work instructions.
Our best assembly operators are eager learners and pay attention to details. They enjoy working on different types of mechanical work every day.
Assembly Operators From this position, you could grow into
lead operator
supervisor
manufacturing manager
FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Company Name: The Jel Sert Company
DuPage Location: West Chicago, IL
Total number of employees in DuPage: 900 during peak season
Peek Inside
The Jel Sert Company is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products. For the past 20 years, our team has been dedicated to establishing an exemplary manufacturing infrastructure that supports the needs of some of the world’s largest Consumer Packaged Goods and pharmaceutical companies.
Jel Sert is committed to providing employees with development opportunities as we are invested in their long term success and advancement within the organization. An individual development plan assists employees in career and personal development and allows employees to reach short and long term career goals.
You would like to work at our company because
We are committed to attracting the best talent and developing our employees to exceed their potential. Our employees take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to contribute their ideas, skills, experience, and passion. We reward and value creativity, professionalism, teamwork, honesty, and longevity.
In the next year, we expect to hire 2-3 technicians
To get this job, you typically need a Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with electrical, hydraulics, programming, and mechanical PLCs is required.
We pay $2.00 per hour shift differential for all time worked on 3rd shift. *Rate of pay depends on one’s experience, education, and skills.
Our best technicians have: Strong mechanical and electrical skills Additionally, someone that takes pride in their work, is honest, creative in their ideas, and works as a professional in a team environment.
All Technicians are sent to College of DuPage for classes. Technicians are scheduled for a series of six mechanical and six electrical classes. Classes are during work hours, so Technicians are paid for their time in class. We adjust their hours to spend half their shift on the floor and the balance in the class. Jel Sert pays for this training which includes classroom and lab work. All Technicians are involved in this training despite their experience level.
TECHNICIAN
From this position, you could grow into
