All Stars

M A N U F A C T U R I N G A L L S T A R S 2 0 2 1 9 S P O N S O R P A I D P R O F I L E WAUPACA FOUNDRY Waupaca | Marinette | Ironwood Waupaca Foundry is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. W aupaca Foundry has a history of encouraging people to reach their greatest potential. This has the dual benefit of a skilled workforce that allows Waupaca Foundry to deliver innovative, best-in-class iron castings to the world's most respected manufacturers. We're proud that Waupaca Foundry has been an employer of choice, and we believe in taking care of our employees and offering opportunities for personal development. The result — customers have the most qualified production team in the industry. From operations to administration, we are dedicated to creating opportunity for our employees throughout the company. Many of our team members have started in general foundry positions and progressed into a variety of careers over the years. In fact, our CEO, Mike Nikolai, joined Waupaca as a metallurgist over 25 years ago. More progressively responsible positions followed until being appointed president, COO and CEO on April 1, 2016. Why have a job when you can have a career? The opportunity for career growth and personal development is a significant reason why more than half of Waupaca Foundry's employees have been with the company greater than 10 years. Cast your own future. It's much more than a job. Join the industry leader and be part of a legacy of pride. Jobs.WaupacaFoundry.com HMI screen. This is what we use to adjust any settings we need with the adhesive, silicone and dies. We have scanners that will read the amount of adhesive we are putting down while the machine is running, and X-rays to tell us how much silicone we put down on the final product. Are there perceptions about manufacturing careers you would like to change? A huge perception people have about manufacturing is that it is all repetitive work. Every day, it seems like I am doing something different. We are always trialing new jobs and seeing what the machine is capable of doing and handling. I am always getting to do new things and learn new skills. Do you have a mentor? How did your mentor impact your career? In the last year, my mentor has helped me so much in my career. I work with and train a lot of different types of people, and with that I sometimes run into situations I am unsure of. He helps me make better choices or will let me know I did a good job and approached it correctly. Why would you encourage someone to enter the manufacturing field? There are great opportunities to learn new things as you go and even advance your career from those skills that were picked up on the way. certificate from Lakeshore Technical College. What kinds of technology do you use and interact with? Everything from a plasma cutter to MIG and TIG welding. I also read CAD prints and blueprints. Are there perceptions about manufacturing careers you would like to change? The stigma that you are stuck in one position for your life if you enter into a manufacturing field. The truth is, if you're a team player and willing to learn and work on your craft, you will be presented with opportunity. What you do with that is up to you. Do you have a mentor? How did your mentor impact your career? My dad would have been the first one. He always included me in his projects and shared his knowledge. Past co-worker Bill Nate set me up for success at WAF by pushing me to expand my skills and shadowed my work before he retired. Why would you encourage someone to enter the manufacturing field? You can have a diverse career in the field of your choice. Skilled tradesmen will always be needed and the sense of pride seeing your work in use keeps you motivated.

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