Blog Archives
Congratulations Charles Smith on 50 Years of Service at Tyler Union!
Charles Smith joined Tyler Union on May 23, 1968, shoveling sand and pushing a wheelbarrow on the Squeezer Line. He then moved to the Alabama Core Room where they make shell cores and later worked on both British Molding Machines (BM1 and BM2) and the IBM, a molding machine which Tyler Union used for a brief time in the mid ‘80s.
Eventually Charles returned to the BM1 where he stayed for 30 years until the machine was removed and replaced with the IMF Fast Loop. He sets cores at the IMF now and says the automatic machines have made foundry work much easier than it was 50 years ago. To show our appreciation for his years of hard work and dedication, Charles and his co-workers were treated to breakfast from Cracker Barrel and of course cake.
Thanks Charles for being a integral part of the Tyler Union team!
Pictured top to bottom L-R: Charles Smith; Charles, Pete Cagle (IMF Manager) and Charlie Chastain (Operations Manager; Charles and Les Cunningham (GFD Manager; and Charles and his son Brian smith (Production Lab Technician)
Tyler Union GFD Department Took March by Storm
Tyler Union’s GFD Department in Anniston, Alabama took the month of March by storm, reaching every goal set for molds per hour and tons per day with ZERO safety or environmental incidents. What is GFD you ask? It’s the shortened name for the George Fisher Disa molding machine which is one of the three molding machines at Tyler Union.
In appreciation for their hard work, GFD team members were treated to a Chick-fil-A luncheon.
Great job!
Pictured top: GFD Finishing team with Dale Garrett Supervisor front L-R- Jamie Flores, Robert David, Alfredo Martinez, Dale, Michael Chandler, Randy Davis and Harold Allen; back L to R- LaDell Whiteside, Kenneth Butler, Tommy Hayes, Dylan Hinesley, Zachary Riddle, Tyler Wudarczyk, Marcello Hernandez, Nicholas Walker and Juan Fernandez. | Pictured bottom left: GFD Molding team with Les Cunningham Supervisor front L-R- Derrick Smith, Marcos Linares, Les and Cody Henry; back L to R- Carl Parker, Antoine Warren, Jose Garcia, Phillip Densmore, Mike Hughley, Nick Cunningham, Abel Flores and Francisco Martinez | Pictured bottom right: GFD Maintenance team with Terry Easterwood Supervisor front L-R- Freddie Turner, Matt Harmon and Terry; middle L to R- Greg Harmon, Prince Swain and Brandon Edwards; back L to R- Ryan Berry, Zeb Brasher, Brad McCullough, Derrick Hammond, Scott Johnson and Todd Leggett.
Tyler Union Shares Environmental Tips with Local 4th Graders
Tyler Union volunteers recently partnered with the Calhoun County Extension Office on Earth Day to staff learning stations designed to reinforce subject matter taught in classrooms in an outdoor setting for over 800 fourth graders. The students had the opportunity to learn about conservation, healthy habits, water safety, safe food preparation and domesticated and wild animals (which was a favorite).
No one was surprised to learn that Frantina Wilson and Mark Vess who stepped up and took over two of the educational stations, for both days, when county employees were called away. Frantina took over the Recycle Relay station while Mark took the Wildlifestation, even the snake handling.
Special thanks to Tyler Union volunteers Jason Askew, Tonja Brown, Julie Campbell, Chris Hyche, Kacie Johns, Renea McGathy, Jerome McQueen, April Pearson, Chris Smith, Amanda Thrasher, Sara Tongsuvone, Mark Vess and Frantina Wilson
Tyler Union Helps With Relief Effort After Devastating Tornadoes
When the town of Jacksonville, Alabama and surrounding areas were hit by devastating tornadoes on the night of March 19, Tyler Union team members were quick to respond by donating supplies, working with local shelters and helping with debris clean up. The destruction left in the storm’s wake was unimaginable and cleanup and rebuilding will be ongoing for years. Tyler Union continues to raise money for the relief fund and work with the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce on the needs of the affected areas.
Lori Denton, Director of Business Development for the Calhoun County Economic Development Council said, “Local industry response has been overwhelming. The surplus donations of high demand items, financial contributions, labor, time, and meals, displays what it means to love your neighbor. We are so proud to represent the industries in Calhoun County because of the unwavering strength found in the people of this community. We are so thankful to our industrial partners that have already reached out and are continuing to work alongside the Calhoun County Economic Development Council with the relief efforts.”
Pictured: Tyler Union Assistant General Manager Steve Johnson and Lori Denton, Director of Business Development, Calhoun County Economic Development Council
Tyler Union Holds Disa and Melt Department Team Appreciation Luncheon
In recognition and appreciation of their accomplishments in February, Tyler Union held a luncheon for the Disa and Melt Department team members on March 9.
The Disa Department was recognized for no safety recordables and over six GTPH (good tons per hour) with less than 5% downtime during the month of February!
The Melt Department was recognized for meeting all production goals and scoring the highest grade on the Environmental Scorecard for the month.
Pictured bottom left Disa Crew: Rafael Alvarez, William Averitte, Michael Blakely, Jayc Brisker, Roger Camp, Carl Daniel, Dilion Davis. Kenneth Dixon, Dustin Doss, Anthony Dudley, Carrall East, Brandell Elston, Juan Flores, LaRay Fomby, Torey Gamble, Alex Garcia, Wesley Gibbs, Timmy Graham, Joe Harbin, Anthony Harden, Arsenio Hayes, Chris Hovenden, Fred Hughley, John McNair, Calvin Merkerson, Reggie Miller, Chad Norton, Matthew Phillips, Tiki Roberts, Jeremy Shell, Tyler Smith, Dakota Strickland, Greg Thomas, Sammy Thomas, Steven Vinyard, Hank Vree, Chris Wagner and David Wagnon. Not pictured: Tommy Ardis, Shannon Bates, Roger Bell, Mondrecco Bush, Josh Gerhart, Ed Grinfield, Wesley Hartness, Larry Huey and Jeremy Jackson. Pictured top right Melting Crew: Tracy Bates, Chad Biggers, Justin Busby, Everett Clayborn, Adrian Eady, Juvenal Estrada, Matthew Gowens, Phillip Haynes, Justin Holcomb, Brandon Leath, Mark Marable, Tim McCain, Justin McGatha, Elijah McRath, James Morris, Billy Pressley and Mark Terry.
And the Winners of the 2017 McWane EHS Awards Are…
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 McWane EHS Awards!
Outstanding Environmental Performance-Fabrication: Amerex (Trussville, AL)
Outstanding Environmental Performance-Foundry: Kennedy Valve (Elmira, NY)
Outstanding Environmental Progress-Fabrication: Anaco and Clow Valve Corona (Corona, CA)
Outstanding Environmental Progress-Foundry: Bibby-Ste-Croix
Outstanding Health & Safety Performance: Mcwane Ductile New Jersey (Phillipsburg, NJ)
Quartile Club: (replaced the Most Improved RIR-Fabrication and Most Improved RIR-Foundry Awards): M & H Valve Company, Tyler Union, Clow Valve McWane Ductile New Jersey (Phillipsburg, NJ)
EHS Excellence (Screaming Eagle): Kennedy Valve (Elmira, NY)
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
McWane products have a large presence at Walt Disney World
Tyler Union team member Mark Vess recently took his family on a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to celebrate his wife Ashley’s birthday. They made it a game to see how many McWane products they could spot while there. As you can see, there were lots to see.
Aleah and Allison Vess (top left L-R) spotted a Tyler Union Flange 90 Bend and a Clow Valve hydrant at Hollywood Studios. Aleah Vess (top right) found a Tyler Union Flange Tee and a Kennedy Valve hydrant at Epcot. Alec Vess (bottom left) found a Clow hydrant with a Walt Disney logo on it at the Art of Animation Disney Resort and Mark (bottom right) located a similar Clow hydrant in the Magic Kingdom.
Mark said, “It was good to see so many McWane products at each of the parks.”
Mark joined Tyler Union in Anniston, Alabama in 2004 and is a Technical Sales Support Specialist in the Engineering Department. He can now add record holding McWane product spotter in one location to his resume.
Tyler Union Hosts Plant Tours for Youth Leadership Calhoun County
Tyler Union Plant Manager Jon Pollard and Foundry Manager Charlie Chastain were pleased to have the opportunity to host plant tours on January 9, 2018 for Youth Leadership Calhoun County (YLCC) Business and Industry Day hosted by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Calhoun County (LCC) is a twelve month class that prepares students for constructive leadership and responsible participation in the affairs of the community.
Perhaps some of these bright young leaders will join the Tyler Union team in the future!
Tyler Union Iron Man Goes Blue and Orange
Tyler Union team members, at least the Auburn fans, couldn’t wait to see the freshly painted Iron Man.
Every year, Iron Man is painted the school colors of the winning team in the Auburn vs. Alabama football game and he remains that color 365 days until the next game. The Auburn/Alabama rivalry is considered one of the most heated football rivalries in college football. Together Alabama and Auburn account for 33 SEC titles and the two teams won an impressive four straight BCS National Championship Games from 2009-2012 (Alabama-2009, 2011, 2012 and Auburn 2010).
The Iron Man tradition was started by team members as way to celebrate their team’s victory and “gloat” a little all year long. Alabama fans will just have to glance the other way when they get to work every day because those Auburn colors are here to stay, at least until the next game.
Congratulations Auburn fans – War Eagle!
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).
McWane, Inc. 