Monthly Archives: November 2017
McWane Products Here, There and Everywhere
Michael Jones, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications, recently spotted an Amerex fire extinguisher while watching the Netflix show Longmire and a Kennedy Valve hydrant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Abbie Wertheim with SF Made noticed that the pipes in her parking garage in San Francisco, California were made by AB&I Foundry.
Products manufactured by the McWane team are located around the world. You just have to keep an eye out. If you come across any of our products and want to share your pictures with the team, email them to Mickie Coggin at mcoggin@mcwane.com.
Tyler Pipe holds 10th Annual Service Awards Banquet
Tyler Pipe is very fortunate and grateful to have so many loyal and dedicated team members. In fact, 40% of their workforce has 25 years of service or more. To honor this service, they held the 10th annual Service Awards Banquet, otherwise known as the Silver Anniversary Club. The night was filled with games, prizes and great food and the Tyler Junior College Jazz Band entertained guests with music throughout the evening.
This year, they welcomed eight new members to the Silver Anniversary Club.
Thank you to everyone who participated and we look forward to celebrating again, same time next year!
Gary Bryant Retires from Tyler Pipe after 44 Years of Service
What do you do after 44 years of working in an iron foundry? Tyler Pipe team member Gary Bryant’s wife Cindy said “You do a bunch of honey-do’s.” Gary, aka “Chipmunk” joined Tyler Pipe on November 19, 1973 and his last day of work will be November 30, 2017. What better time to hang up your boots than in your anniversary month. Gary has decided to lay down his PM (preventive maintenance) lists and pick up a honey-do list instead.
Tyler Pipe held a retirement celebration for Gary on November 15 that included Texas style chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and of course a really big cake. Gary was joined at the party by his wife, children and grandchildren. His family talked about how they remember their dad going to work every day and how Tyler Pipe helped pay for their home, their education and much, much more.
Gary will be driving a bus part-time for the local hospital and plans to stay active with the Shriners. He has been a part of the Shriners since 1994 and has been a member of the Masonic Lodge since 1984.
He is also a member of the Legions of Honors Veterans who carry flags at funerals for veterans.
Gary will be greatly missed at Tyler Pipe as he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.
AB&I receives Commendation from Alameda Board of Supervisors
We are pleased to report that AB&I Foundry received a commendation from the Board of Supervisors for Alameda County, California.
District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley presented the plaque to Michael Lowe and Dave Robinson in recognition of 111 years in operation and appreciation for AB&I’s continued investment in Alameda County.
Anaco-Husky team pays it forward at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the blessings in our lives — family, job, good health and especially food on our table every day. Anaco-Husky Couplings has been in the Thanksgiving spirit all month hosting a food drive to help those who wouldn’t otherwise enjoy those Thanksgiving blessings.
Team members brought in donations which were delivered to the Corona-Norco Settlement House, a local United Way non-profit organization that has been helping families in need since 1912.
Tyler Union Ushers in the Holiday Season
On November 9th and 10th, Tyler Union team members were served a traditional Thanksgiving meal as a way to say thank you for their hard work and dedication this year and to usher in the holiday season. On the menu were turkey and gravy, cornbread dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and assorted pies. Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship.
A special thank you to Five Star Food Service for providing an excellent meal for everyone to enjoy and to the Tyler Union team members who helped serve including Steve Johnson (Assistant General Manager), April Pearson (Division Controller), Chris Gravitt (Assistant Controller), Sara Tongsuvone (HR Assistant) and Tonja Brown (Employment Specialist).
Futurecom Holds Harvest Festival Potluck
Not only are Futurecom team members great radio professionals, they are also great home cooks. That was clearly evident on November 2nd for their Harvest Festival Potluck. The tables were lined with delicious salads, scrumptious warm dishes and outstanding desserts. As part of the potluck, Futurecom team members were asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for the local Vaughan Food Bank and they did not disappoint!
AB&I Hosts Students From Oakland Unified School District
AB&I partnered with Emiliano Sanchez and the Oakland Unified School District to host several middle school students and approximately 65 students from two Oakland high schools on November 2. The goal is to continue educating students about the career opportunities available in manufacturing and the important role it plays in our lives. Many students think of manufacturing as an old industry with no advanced technology. Advanced Manufacturing and Career Technical Education Day gives us the opportunity to showcase the role technology plays in our foundry today and hopefully inspire the next generation of manufacturers.
AB&I manufacturing ambassadors talked to the students about how they started their careers at AB&I, what they are doing now and why they like manufacturing. Environmental team member Mike Olvera talked about how he found his passion in the environment through an internship in high school. He discussed all the regulations he has to follow and stay up-to-date on and how he has to apply them by working collaboratively with engineering, maintenance, production and other departments to implement changes. Rich Watson, Jose Martinez, Jaime Miramontes, Alfredo Costa, Roberto Ramirez led tours for two groups of students, teachers and chaperones. Prior to the tours, Jennifer Grundell coordinated the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), including head phones. AB&I also presented each student with a t-shirt that Jenny designed and a 4” cast iron skillet.
At the conclusion of the tour, the students went to Laney College for lunch and an introduction to the various manufacturing programs available at the college.
“I appreciate the partnership with AB&I and the willingness of the manufacturing Ambassadors and the team to share their experience and knowledge with the students,” said Emiliano Sanchez.
Allowing manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is clears up many common misconceptions. By working together during and after the event, manufacturers can hopefully begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry.
M&H Valve Company Welcomes Visitors From Tennessee
M&H Valve was happy to welcome visitors from Sewanee, Manchester and North West Tennessee recently for a plant tour. Also in attendance was a representative from M&H distributor Walter A. Wood.
It was a beautiful day for a tour.
Clow Corona Holds Team Appreciation Picnic at Knott’s Berry Farm
There’s no better way to show team members how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication than a team family event. Clow Corona held their 2017 team appreciation picnic at Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park on November 4. They met together for a group lunch and then spread out throughout the park with their families to explore the wonderful shows and rides.
Everyone had a great day and we are glad to have the opportunity to show the team how much we appreciate their service.
McWane, Inc. 