The Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers hosted Manufacturing Day on October 2, 2020. MFG Day is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing careers. It is an opportunity for manufacturers across the country to open their doors to the community, and more importantly, to students who may just be learning about manufacturing and career options.
Although the celebration this year looks different because of COVID-19 safety practices, many manufacturers hosted virtual tours, seminars, and more. While Groov-Pin wasn’t able to host any events this year, we want to continue to share resources for Manufacturing Month to inspire the next generation of creators.
Are you curious about manufacturing careers? From machining and tool making to quality and finishing, our employees tell you what it’s like to work at Groov-Pin:
Dave Beland, Tool Maker
Dave graduated from the Machine Technology Program at Davies Career & Technical High School and competed in SkillsUSA competitions. Working in local machine shops, he learned how to operate equipment and run different machines, essentially putting himself through an apprenticeship. He has now supported Groov-Pin’s manufacturing efforts for over 20 years! When an order comes in, Dave gets prints from engineering, makes the tools, and puts everything together in a kit so set-up operators have everything they need.
Ray Miller, Quality Inspector
Ray has worked hard over his past 27 years with Groov-Pin to ensure that we are shipping the best possible products to our customers. As a quality inspector, he receives and checks parts before they are shipped and completes First Article Inspections (FAIs) and paperwork. From the minute he comes in, he is answering questions from many different employees.
Mark Mathia, Set-Up Operator
Mark has been a set-up operator at Groov-Pin in Newnan, Georgia for 35 years. As part of the set-up process, he takes work orders, gets proper materials and reviews the set book, and sets up the machine to the correct work order. Over the years, his job has changed with the introduction of new technology and lean manufacturing processes. Operators like Mark need to have technical skills like understanding how to read measurements correctly and use a grinder and a comparator to check parts.
Rhonda Miller, Quality Inspector
As a quality inspector, Rhonda is responsible for checking parts that come off the CNC machines. She regularly learns how to do various tasks like calibration and first article inspections from her husband, Ray, who also works in the quality department. “Manufacturing lets you learn new things,” she explained. “Learning can sometimes be the most challenging part of the job, but it’s very rewarding.”
Jaried McDonald, Davenport Insert Operator
Jaried’s day-to-day work as a Davenport screw machine operator includes making and checking parts like threaded inserts. Before Jaried began working at Groov-Pin, he was a part-time mechanic and also a machine operator at a concrete plant. Now that he’s part of the Groov-Pin team, Jaried is finding a lot to appreciate, including his fulfilling work and the flexibility that our company offers.
Johnny Fulton, CNC Swiss Machinist
During a typical day, Johnny troubleshoots any issues that the second shift may have had overnight and if there are no issues, he sets up or runs the machines until the work order is completed. Johnny has been machining for 14 years and his year and a half at Groov-Pin has been one of the best experiences. “Groov-Pin is one of the best shops I’ve worked in. I love the team effort, the incentives for healthy living. I talk about my job all the time and I feel like I’m so blessed to be part of a team like Groov-Pin,” he said.
Amnas Sen, Quality Technician
Groov-Pin has always encouraged employees to learn new skills and Amnas Sen is a perfect example of this. Amnas has worked for Groov-Pin for 31 years and her most recent position is quality technician. As a new quality technician, Amnas is responsible for providing gages and paperwork to the machine operators. These documents can include SPC charts, drawings and blueprints, and set-up sheets. She also inspects parts, completes floor inspection audits, and reviews certs for suppliers for shipping document accuracy.
Phamil Gardienere, Finishing Department
Phamil manages the machines in the finishing department that allows Groov-Pin to deliver components that meet customer expectations and specifications. When he began working for Groov-Pin in April of 2019, Phamil said he didn’t know much about Groov-Pin, but he came from a manufacturing background and fit in right away. “I worked in manufacturing in Haiti and the Dominican Republic,” he said. “When I got here to Groov-Pin, I started working and meeting people and I found that the environment here is very nice.”