All Stars

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ NEW MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE MENTORS MAKE IT HAPPEN anufacturing careers are more rewarding today than in previous generations because of the problem-solving challenges that are part of 21st Century manufacturing. Finding solutions to those challenges becomes a lot easier for young manufacturing workers if they have the benefit of a mentor to show them the ropes. As a result, many manufacturing companies now actively encourage their more experienced workers to become mentors to younger employees. That's the case at Fox Valley Metal Tech in Green Bay, where Shop Floor Supervisor Tim Dyer was nominated for (and won) the first All Star Mentor award presented by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. Dyer says mentoring comes naturally to him, since he's always enjoyed helping others and being involved in community work, but he adds that Fox Valley Metal Tech encourages its supervisors to actively mentor the people who work for them. "We're really trying to share our knowledge so that everyone here can be as successful as possible, which will make all of us more successful," says Dyer. "It keeps getting passed down. Some of the people I've helped train are now taking that knowledge and helping others." Kelly Foth, human resource manager at Fox Valley Metal Tech, says mentors like Dyer are key parts of the company's growth. "Tim has outstanding people and communication skills," says Foth. "He M will go above and beyond to make sure that all of his team is successful and everyone has a chance to follow in his footsteps. He often says, 'If they do not succeed, I will not succeed.' He truly cares about their overall performance, growth and development." Dyer says he's just passing on what he learned from his mentors when he began working at Fox Valley Metal Tech in 2005. "They always told me to be honest and true to myself and others around me," says Dyer. "And, as you work your way up in your career, remember what it was like to be the new person." ALL STARS VIDEO AND PUBLICATION ONLINE NEW Manufacturing Alliance's second annual manufacturing All Stars recognition program can be seen online. To view this publication in an online format, go to www.newmfgalliance.org and click on the cover. The online version will also allow you to view videos of each All Star. To view a compilation video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPcy38_MuU8 MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE - A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MANUFACTURING AND ITS FUTURE. Create a Ning Network! The NEW Manufacturing Alliance is also supporting development of a documentary by Educational Television Productions of Northeast Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Television that will increase awareness about manufacturing in Wisconsin including the future for our next-generation of manufacturers. To learn more, visit www.manufacturingthefuture.com. Sign Up Sign In Search MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MANUFACTURING AND ITS FUTURE. All Star Mentor TIM DYER ✯ ✯ ✯ Fox Valley Metal Tech Green Bay Job title: Second shift shop floor supervisor Job duties: Oversee second shift production, train employees, search for continuous improvements. What's most interesting about your job? Every day presents new challenges. Seeing employees grow in their manufacturing abilities and talents. What kind of training prepared you with the necessary skills? On-the-job training and supervisor communication classes. How did you decide on a career path? I enjoy helping others and the challenge of getting products done on time and searching for continuous improvements. What advice would you give students who are undecided on a career field? Factory jobs can be rewarding – seeing something through from start to finish. Whatever career you choose, do what you like to do and enjoy going to work. Click here to view video www.newmfgalliance.org MANUFACTURING ALL STARS 2010 3 COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS OF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN COURTESY OF ALEX ZACARIAS, EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS OF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN

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