PVS is honored to have played a large role in WWII in the 1940s. From Gasoline barges to tramway systems, PVS produced a number of steel vehicles and infrastructure to support our efforts in the 1940s.
We owe all veterans our respect and appreciation. Happy Veterans Day.
Check out our SidePlate Mock-up! PVS Structures uses the mock-up to educate and as an instructional tool for local steel erectors and general contractors. Thanks to Jason Hoover for all of his assistance! Please reach out to Brent Pfeiffer bpfeiffer@pvsteel.com or Joe Wishard jwishard@pvsteel.com if interested in seeing the mock-up in person.
The world’s first three ski chairlifts were created for the ski resort in Sun Valley, Idaho in 1936 and 1937, then owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The first chairlift was installed on Proctor Mountain, two miles east of the more famous Bald Mountain, the primary ski mountain of Sun Valley resort since 1939. The chairlift was developed by James Curran of Union Pacific’s engineering department in Omaha during the summer of 1936. Prior to working for Union Pacific, Curran worked for Paxton & Vierling Steel also in Omaha, which engineered banana conveyor systems to load cargo ships in the tropics. (PVS manufactured a portion of these chairs in their Omaha facility.) Curran re-engineered the banana hooks with chairs and his basic design is still used for chairlifts today. The patent for the original ski lift was issued to Mr. Curran with two others. It was titled “Aerial Ski Tramway, US Patent 2,152,235. W. Averell Harriman, Sun Valley’s creator and former governor of New York State, financed the project.
Carter Lake, Iowa-based Owen Industries (an AISC member) is now an official registered apprenticeship sponsor and offers a three-year, competency-based welder apprenticeship program. In August the company began an interview and selection process, seeking four welder apprentices to offer on-the-job training as well as worksite classroom training, in partnership with Iowa Western Community College, at no cost to the apprentice.
Tyler Owen, president of Owen Industries, stated, “We are very excited to offer an ongoing Welding Apprenticeship program to individuals interested in establishing their career path.” After successful completion of Owen’s program, welder apprentices will receive a nationally recognized Journeyman apprenticeship certificate from the United States Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship (OA).
Owen Industries offers full-time employment to their apprentices, thus an opportunity to earn a good wage while learning a new skill. “Our goal is to ensure that this new program provides high-quality training and produces skilled, competent workers who may not otherwise have an entry-level opportunity in a skilled trade of their interest,” said Owen. “Finding and training dedicated workers is a win-win for our community and necessary for growing both our business and our local economy. Owen Industries is committed to helping equip our welder apprentices with the necessary skills to contribute to that growth.”
In 2014, the Iowa Legislature enacted the Iowa Apprenticeship Act. Its purpose is to increase the number of registered apprentices in Iowa by assisting eligible apprenticeship programs. This act is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in coordination with DOL/OA. An apprenticeship training fund is established with the State Treasury, under the control of the IEDA, with an annual standing appropriation of $3 million.
Owen Industries’ welder apprenticeship program is an ongoing program and open to anyone who applies at their Carter Lake, Iowa, location, regardless of where they live. For questions or more information about the program, please contact Ronald D. DeBord, Owen Industries vice president of human resources, at 712.347.5500 or rdebord@owenind.com.
Owen Industries hosted Greater Omaha Chamber’s tour for Bellevue West High School students on Wednesday. Twenty-three Bellevue West High School CAD and Design students, along with their teachers, toured the PVS Structures and PVS Metals buildings. Students learned about steel construction and fabrication. Students were educated on steel processes from raw material to our final products. This includes bridge design and construction, stretcher leveling, laser design, CNC punching, tube laser cutting and water jet cutting. A great day for both students and the Owen Industries staff!
Saturday, October 15th marked the 37th Annual BRIDGE DAY! PVS Structures is proud to be a part of and celebrate our bridge accomplishments!
PVS Structures partnered with a Class 1 Railroad to fabricate a new bridge under emergency response conditions; dispatching crews to the jobsite working through the weekend to get the project completed. The existing bridge over the Little Sioux River collapsed when the main river pier fell and the adjacent center spans were partially submerged. The original 4 span bridge was replaced with 3 spans fabricated by PVS Structures.
“The work you and your team did on the spans for this project were invaluable…..This directly translated into time savings in the field; allowing us to open the bridge on time. Great work and great response!”
Class 1 Railroad AVP Structures
For more information about our Bridge program please contact Brent Pfeiffer at 712-347-5500.
