Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1326361
4 N E W M A N U F A C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, 3N PRODUCTIONS, LLC Brandon Begrow Laminations – Great Northern Corp., Appleton MECHANICAL ENGINEER Online: Watch Brandon talk about working at Laminations – GNC. newmfgalliance.org Check out Laminations – GNC's website at laminationsonline.com N E W M A N U FA C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E ALL STAR O What does your company make? Vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, including the littoral combat ship. What are your job duties? My job duties include open-table setup by interpreting blueprints required to fabricate and fit material. Once material has been measured and fit to blueprint standards, we are required to complete weld-out. Why do you enjoy your job? Being an employee at a shipyard building Navy vessels makes me feel a part of something big, knowing these ships will set sail for the U.S. Navy with a part of my signature attached to it. Why do you choose to live in Northeast Wisconsin? The opportunity presented itself not only for me to start a career, but also for my son to get a better education and surround himself around a safer environment. How did you decide on this career path? I actually got introduced to welding while pursuing a career in HVAC but quickly chose welding after some research. What education and training most prepared you with the necessary skills? Attending ETI School of Skilled Trades and Derrick Hayes Fincantieri ACE Marine, Green Bay ALUMINUM FABRICATOR N E W M A N U FA C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E ALL STAR O Online: Watch Derrick talk about working at Fincantieri ACE Marine. newmfgalliance.org Check out Fincantieri ACE Marine's website at fincantierimarinegroup.com/ace What does your company make? Laminations makes a fully recyclable edge protection packaging solution to guard products against damage during shipping, handling and storage. What are your job duties? My job is to support the development and improvement of products and processes at all five Laminations divisions. My main focus is on machine design, from concept through startup, adding or updating equipment capability to make it safer and to increase productivity or product quality. How did you decide on this career path? Since an early age, I had an interest in taking things apart and learning how they worked. My father is also an engineer and he inspired me to take this career path. What education and training most prepared you with the necessary skills? I received my associate degree from UW-Fox Valley and my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from UW-Platteville. My internship at a local OEM allowed me to apply what I learned in school to real-world applications. What kinds of technology do you use and interact with? I spend a fair amount of time using CAD (computer-aided design), both 2D and 3D, as well as FEA (finite element analysis). I work with many systems — mechanical, fluid, thermal, electrical, as well as automated controls. Are there perceptions about manufacturing careers you would like