PVS Metals


PVS Metals’ Quality Metrics

PPM (Parts Per Million) is a measurement Owen Industries uses (in line with the industry) to measure quality performance for fabricated parts.  PVS Metals’ Sales and QA departments have worked rigorously on improving processes related to managing customer drawings and CAD files in order to verify revisions and drawing scaling are correct prior to work order release.  PVS Metals’ QA department develops customer part specifications to enable our shop operators to quickly laser scan parts for conformance using our Virtek CMM machines.  This revised process has yielded a PPM for all customers under 250 and a John Deere PPM of 0 since 2015.  It’s important to note that the PPM improvement continued as PVS Metals increased overall part shipments. 

PVS Metals supplied 1,000,000 more parts in 2017 than in 2016 and is on pace to eclipse the 2017 total parts quantity of 2,721,175 in 2018.  PVS Metals added an additional Virtek CMM machine in 2018. The new Virtek CMM machine has expanded capability to measure the accuracy of three dimensional parts to tolerances within .25 mm enabling PVS Metals to further validate the quality of our work. PVS Metals’ commitment to quality governs our approach to all customer orders and, in the case of John Deere, has helped us achieve Partner status (120 PPM or less) with them 5 years running.  If you demand quality and consistency for your metals needs call your friends at PVS Metals!

 

PVS-Metals Job Fair

On Saturday, April 14, 2018 PVS-Metals hosted a Job Fair for the 20+ positions that are currently open including a new 3rd Shift.  The turnout was a success with 39 individuals attending.

Owen Industries offers; Health, Dental, Life and Accident insurance, Short and Long-term disability. We have a wellness program with premium incentives, 401K, paid vacation, nine paid holidays, incentive bonuses, profit sharing and employee appreciation events.

We currently have positions open at all our divisions in Carter Lake, IA., Sioux City, IA., Fargo, ND., and Casselton, ND.

Please visit our careers webpage for details; jobs.owenind.com

 

 

Paxton & Vierling Steel – Punch Operator Training Class

In keeping with our commitment of continuous improvements through training and education, PVS Metals employees participated in Punch Operator Training.

Four employees (2 per shift) were educated on Punch Operator Training. This course is offered through Trumpf, Tom Gauvin was the instructor.

The class provides students with essential punching operation knowledge and skills to run the machine and produce satisfactorily punched parts. They focus on:

  • Punch Safety
  • Introduction to the machine and controls
  • Introduction the tooling
  • Die clearances
  • Basic machine operations, including fast key functions
  • Utilizing correct procedures to download and execute part programs
  • Managing files
  • Recover from program interruptions
  • Basic machine maintenance

Owen Industries works consistently to meet the expectations and requirements of our customers. We strive to continuously improve our process in order to provide quality products and services on time. Continued education and training helps us meet these goals.

 

Owen Industries/Paxton & Vierling Steel hosted a day long tour for eight Westside High School Welding Program students.

The students met with several different departments to learn the full process of steel fabrication; from raw material to final product.

Students met with Estimating learning how the project process is started, moving on to Drafting where the customers design is detailed and brought to life and Project Management on the importance of keeping the plan on a specific timeline.

The students toured the PVS Metals Shop where they were educated on stretcher leveling, laser design, CNC punching, tube laser and water jet cutting.

In the Structures Shop the students met with experienced welders discussing girders and welding specifics. They also visited the bridge bay learning about design and construction. The students had the opportunity to meet with staff and discuss issues and ask questions.

The tour was led by President, Tyler Owen, WHS graduate. He discussed the Owen Industries Apprenticeship Program and his personal experiences with welding and working in the steel industry.

It was a great day of education and welding for both staff and students at Owen Industries!

 

Owen Industries Welder Apprentice Program

Apprentice Interview: Aaron Gunn

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.

Aaron Gunn started as one of four apprentices in the program in September 2016.

Aaron worked several jobs prior to the welding apprentice program; flooring, customer service, National Guard, security….jack of many trades. Aaron had a friend who encouraged him to apply and when he moved from Florida to the Midwest, he found the program listed on-line.

Aaron has worked in many different areas of the Structures building, he recently started welding in the bridge bay. This has become one of his favorite projects.

Aaron has learned many things in his 6 months with the program, he enjoys learning all the diverse happenings in the operation. He states asking questions is the best way to acquire important needed information.

Aaron has really enjoyed the people he works with here at Owen Industries/PVS Structures. His co-workers in the Bridge Bay have been helpful and have taught him many valuable lessons. The apprentices have classroom time on Tuesdays from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The instructor from Iowa Western comes to the training area. The program is 3 years long, and at the end each apprentice will be a certified journeyman. Nick Bristol, the PVS Structures Plant Manager has been a favorite mentor for Aaron.

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.

 

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst toured Owen Industries on Thursday, April 20th.  Senator Ernst visited both the PVS Metals Service Center and PVS Structures Division. She met with a group of staff in the Bridge Bay, asking questions and learning more about the company. The tour was facilitated by The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC).

Check out the article from the Omaha World-Herald:

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/ernst-lends-support-to-infrastructure-spending-during-carter-lake-tour/article_561c9ff6-2655-5508-ac82-7564c495ce05.html

Check out the article from The Daily NonPareil:

http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/local/ernst-lends-support-for-infrastructure-spending-during-tour-of-carter/article_3833b6e8-27a8-11e7-ad36-8fb84f332dda.html