From hand-drilled injectors to automated systems — The Meyer family legacy

In 1942 — the same year “Casablanca” hit theaters — Chris Meyer’s great-grandfather began working at Cummins. More than 80 years later, four generations of the Meyer family have contributed to the company across a range of roles, teams and experiences.

Chris’ great-grandfather began the family’s work at Cummins as a machinist at Plant 1, now known as the Columbus Engine Plant (CEP). His grandfather also worked in production, while his grandmother spent 16 years at Plant 1 in a facilities support role. 

The impact didn’t stop there. Both of Chris’ parents also built careers at Cummins. His mother, Cindy Meyer, worked in administrative support, while his father, Steve Meyer, helped support manufacturing strategy for the Engine Business Unit (EBU) for many years, including work connected to the opening of the Columbus MidRange Engine Plant (CMEP) in 1992.

Today, Chris and his sister, Angela Harris, carry on the family tradition, continuing a legacy of service, connection and pride in the work Cummins employees do every day.

Building on his family’s legacy, Chris has continued making his own contributions at Cummins. In his work with EBU Supply Chain, he supported continuous improvement efforts focused on strengthening collaboration, improving ways of working and supporting Cummins’ mission.

Chris is especially proud to carry on the family legacy through work connected to planning processes his father helped develop before retirement. These processes support coordination across teams and help employees make informed decisions in service of customers and the business.

He has also supported important manufacturing-related projects, including work connected to Rocky Mount Engine Plant (RMEP), where teams continue to prepare for the future of Cummins products and customer needs.
Chris has since transitioned to the Distribution Business Unit (DBU), bringing the same disciplined, forward-looking approach to new challenges. Along the way, he’s reminded that progress at Cummins is rarely linear — it’s built through people and shared experience.

Recently, he connected with a colleague’s brother who had worked with his mom in the 1980s, back when Pac-Man was considered cutting-edge technology. These connections aren’t just nostalgic coincidences; they reflect the trust and shared history that make a large organization feel personal. They’re also what keep people connected — to the work, to each other and to a legacy that continues to span generations.

For Chris, being the fourth generation brings a deep perspective.

“It takes a lot of people to continually improve how we operate every day — building engines, servicing our products and meeting customer needs — even with today’s added technology. Despite the changing landscape, it comes down to the people. None of these improvements can be done without our people.”
Chris Meyer

A lot has changed over the past 80 years, but the values that connect Chris’ family to Cummins remain familiar: family, purpose and work that matters beyond a single lifetime. 

For Chris, that legacy is about more than individual milestones. It is about the relationships, shared purpose and sense of community that connect employees across generations. As he thinks about the future, one thought comes to mind:

“The Meyer family knows they are not alone in their impact and their story. Whether you come from four generations of family at Cummins or are just beginning your career here, we are all part of the Cummins community.”