May 2022 Volume 4

INDUSTRY NEWS

Kendra Gagliano – Metallurgist, ELLWOOD National Forge; Irvine, PA

I chose ELLWOOD because their rotational programwas attractive to me as a recent graduate, and the people I met at ELLWOOD have a great attitude and dedication. I’m also amazed with the recent investments ELLWOOD made expanding their markets and acquiring the newest technology. These expansions are important to me because they provide many opportunities for career growth, and they ensure that ELLWOOD will remain a major player in the metals business for years to come. I’ve decided to stay with ELLWOOD because of these opportunities, and because at the end of the day the people you work with are always on your team. Rose Fraley – Project Manager, ELLWOOD City Forge; Ellwood City, PA I’ve been at ELLWOOD City Forge for 12 Years. I started as a Technical Sales Specialist in the Sales Department. In this role, I would meet with customers regarding new projects they were developing and discuss ELLWOOD’s capabilities as a partner to help them develop the best material to use for their project. This segued into my next role for the company as New Product Development Manger working in the Metallurgy Department. In this role, I was responsible for the processing details of First Article Approval. I still worked with the customer, but also withmetallurgy and operations on setting up the trials. But my preference has always been to work in operations, and now I am a Project Manager, where I am responsible for streamlining processes within operations. This includes improving equipment up-time, improving yield, and decreasing variability in processing. I work with all the departments within ELLWOOD to come up with the best way to achieve these goals. The best part about working for a family-owned company is that people are not put into boxes. Roles and job descriptions can be created or tailored to the strengths of an individual which best serve the company. There is freedom to present ideas and have discussions within all levels of ELLWOOD including production personnel through Executive management. ELLWOOD encourages initiative and independence and growth. And I have stayed because I feel valued by my coworkers.

Having grown up in Ellwood City I’ve had the joy of growing up in a town where ELLWOOD not only employs myself, family, and friends but is a part of my history, present, and future. Inmy 9 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work for the ELLWOOD Crankshaft Group before coming to ENF. Moving away from Ellwood City to a location ELLWOOD has been involved with for less than twenty years has been an exciting opportunity to see the family culture and influence make positive impacts on another community. The owners of ELLWOOD have been familiar to me for as long as I can remember; these are people who stop to chat about my family and see what I’m working on. I knew from interacting with the owners from my time as an intern I wanted to work at a company that valued family and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity ever since. Making a difference is important to me and I feel like I get that opportunity at ELLWOOD. Advice for women hesitant to join the forging industry: • There are lots of opportunities in the forging industry for women to learn and grow and make an impact in the field of their choice. At ELLWOOD City Forge, we have women in every department and on the shop floor. There is a mentor and friend waiting for additional women to join us. – R. Fraley • This is a great career field for anyone, whether you be man or woman, there is always something new to experience and great people to experience it with. – J. Shaffer • Don’t be intimidated by the manufacturing environment or the people around you. If you are willing to learn and trainable, you will succeed and learn a lot in the process. – A. Yngsdal • Don’t hesitate. I have no regrets working in metals manufacturing my entire career! Manufacturing has come a long way, even since I beganmy career, and women have proven themselves capable to handle any role. – C. Rust

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022 64