Justin – Team Lead
Justin has been with PRESS GLASS for three years. He started as an Operator’s Assistant and is now the team lead of digital printing.
Interview
How did you find out about working at PRESS GLASS?
I found out about PRESS GLASS through their employees – they were talking about enjoying working there when visiting my previous job. So, I decided to apply, and it took some time before I received the phone call with an invitation to interview. The hiring process was smooth, and the people were friendly. During the interview I was informed about the pay and benefits.
Could you talk more about your work and the training process?
The training process was good. I got a lot of training based on the experience of my peers and through hands on learning. I am operating the digital printer and I had never tried my hand at that kind of machine. My job requires working on a computer and I had experience there. Every day I need to prepare and clean my machine before the shift. Throughout the day while I am completing my tasks, I stay in communication with my supervisor about my progress and any issues I may be having. My supervisor is always supportive in helping my fix any issues or answer any questions I have.
What do you like about working at PRESS GLASS?
I like that the company is still young and has a lot of room to grow. I was excited for the opportunity to move up. I started as an Operator’s Assistant, and I have since moved into the Operator role. The work attitude here is positive and it is nice to be on a team where everyone is working toward a common goal.
What kind of person would you recommend working at PRESS GLASS?
If you desire to work in a positive and productive environment, then PRESS GLASS is for you. At PRESS GLASS you work to earn your pay, so you must show up on time and ready to work. The more initiative you show in your position, the more opportunities to move up will be presented to you.
Chris – Production Supervisor
Chris worked in the Stoneville location for eight years where he worked as production foreman and production supervisor. He then transferred to the Ridgeway and has been working as a production supervisor for a year.
Interview
What is your role at PRESS GLASS?
My main duty here at Press Glass is ensuring the safety of my team members as they efficiently and effectively deliver a quality product from the Glaston furnaces to the IG line. I have been overseeing the furnace for the past year and have helped build a team on 2nd and 3rd shift. Some of the daily responsibilities I have are ensuring my team is properly wearing all PPE because my main concern is maintaining a safe working environment. Also, I try my best to put my employees in the best spots for them to grow within the company individually and collectively. Other responsibilities I have include schedule completion, making decisions on quality concerns, and accurately finishing timecards.
How do you describe the job your employees do?
The main thing our employees try to accomplish at the tempering furnace is sending a quality product free of defects to the next internal department. The process at the furnace starts with the operators as they choose which racks/glass types to pull from the buffer area. Then the software system we use builds patterns on our tables which we have to “temper”. Glass will be sent into the tempering oven for a set amount of time (the thicker the glass, the longer it needs to stay inside the oven). Once the glass comes out of the chiller side of the furnace, our employees are instructed to measure each piece and place the proper label on the lites. Then they decide based on the information on the labels what side of the racks the individual lites will be placed upon.
Is moving up difficult?
Moving up is all about the effort any given employee wants to put into their job. When someone comes in “hungry” and shows initiative to learn all they can and make the right calls that benefit “Press Glass” and not just an easy choice that makes life easier on them, then supervisors and other members of management tend to notice and want to put these employees in a position where they can thrive. This process doesn’t always occur overnight but in due time promotions will occur.
Could you talk more about supervision at PRESS GLASS?
When people think of supervisors most will immediately think of standoffish individuals who are difficult to understand and talk to. In my experience here at Press Glass almost every member of supervision and management have been very easy to talk to and understand. Personally, when I think of supervision, I think of it as a process of ensuring your team is in the best place to succeed even if this means making tough calls and putting employees outside of their comfort zones as they grow. As I grew in the company, I looked at my supervisors as role models and father figures that weren’t always so easy on me but had my best interests in mind. They pushed me to be better every day and for that I will always respect them.
What is your most memorable moment?
Transferring to Ridgeway was probably my most memorable moment because it put me outside of my comfort zone. I had been at the same facility (Stoneville) for years and knew everyone like family. Moving here made me become a better employee as I had to learn new machines, new people, and new processes.
What do you enjoy most about working at PRESS GLASS?
The people and how everyday is different. It is also very important to me to help the ones I have on my team grow every day.
Jaime – Senior Estimator/Project Manager
She has been working at PRESS GLASS in Stoneville for 18 years. She started as a Customer Service Representative and now is a Senior Estimator/Project Manager.
Interview
Could you describe your typical day at PRESS GLASS?
I estimate for the insulated glass projects. Every day I use Excel to calculate the best prices for our customers. I also contact clients and work with them to resolve any questions or issues I complete the orders, get them prepared and ready for the next steps which is optimization and production. The day is always full with different challenges.
What do you like most about your job?
I like working with customers. It is very motivating when I get positive feedback from them. It is the biggest compliment for me when the clients are satisfied with the service. I also enjoy working with a great team. A lot of people have been here for years and they do a really great job. We know each other very well and we are like a family.
What skills are needed to be an estimator at PRESS GLASS?
Estimators work both with numbers and clients, so the perfect skill set is detail orientation and great communication. If candidates value teamwork and focuses on obtaining new knowledge, the position of estimator will be good choice.
Robert – Optimization Supervisor
He has been with PRESS GLASS in the Stoneville location since 2006. He used to work as a plant superintendent on 2nd shift and now he is the Optimization Supervisor.
Interview
Could you describe your typical day at PRESS GLASS?
I’m a Production Optimizer and Scheduler so my responsibility is to schedule the orders for production processes. I start my work by checking all the orders – which type of glass they require (eg. spandrel, glass with special coating etc.) and what processes we will use (eg. tempering, insulating, laminating etc.). Then I need to check the available inventory and if it is necessarily to order the missing one. I use a different type of software to optimize the glass sheets.
What do you like most about your job?
My work is full of challenges. I like that I need to solve a lot of problems and come up with new solutions every day. It is never boring. I need to make sure we have everything that is necessary to get the production done.
What has been your most memorable moment at PRESS GLASS?
I can’t think about a particular moment, but I just like this job and people. I make friends here very easily.
It looks like scheduling is a great job. What kind of person do you have to be to be successful in this position?
You have to be self-motivated and open to changes. There are many situations when you have to adjust yourself and your plans to present circumstances. This is the perfect job for somebody who loves solving problems.
Maria – Shipping Coordinator
She has been working at PRESS GLASS for 20 years and she loves this place. Maria started as a production worker in the Stoneville location and after 1 year she was promoted to shipping clerk. In 2020 she transferred to the Ridgeway location as the shipping coordinator.
Interview
Could you describe your typical day at PRESS GLASS?
I work in the shipping department. I start my day coordinating the routes for the drivers and confirming deliveries with our customers. I organize and line up the flatbed trucks that must be loaded during the day with my team. Then I prepare paperwork for drivers. I also coordinate with our customer service team to quote delivery costs. My day is full of various activities and there is no time for boredom.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that I feel appreciated and trusted and they give me the opportunity to grow. I have the best team and it is always a pleasure working with them.
What was your most exciting moment in PRESS GLASS?
The most exciting fact is that the employees are very close: we solve problems together and we care about each other. If I have to give one example that would be participating in the Christmas parade with my coworkers and having my family especially my children seeing me in the Christmas parade that was fun.
What can candidates and new employees expect when working at PRESS GLASS?
Press glass gives you the opportunity to grow and learn. Be ready to be a team player and have strong work ethic.
Rob – Maintenance Technician
Rob has been working in the Ridgeway facility for 4 years as a maintenance technician.
Ronnie – Maintenance Team Lead
Ronny has been working at the Stoneville facility for 9 years. He starting working on the drill machine and then moved to maintenance. He is now the maintenance team lead.
Interview
Could you describe your typical day?
Rob: We do whatever production needs to operate. Production supervisors and operators call us for help if there’s a breakdown. The most common type are software and electrical issues. We need to troubleshoot and repair the machines.
Ronnie: No day is the same in maintenance. We could come into a routine day of checking and maintaining machines, or we could come into a difficult problem we have to fix. When we have a breakdown that needs to be fixed immediately the team works together to solve the problem and get production back up and running. Sometimes this takes a lot of patience and more time than we would like.
What do you like about your work?
Rob: It’s a new company with a nice, new technology. I like taking what I know and applying it to tasks. I’m also learning new skills every day.
Ronnie: I enjoy fabricating and welding. The most interesting thing I have done is fabricating a custom worktable for a Citronix printer. This table has mechanical moving parts that help work run smoothly.
How would you compare the machines here with machines you’ve previously worked with?
Rob: It’s a new process for me, working with glass. Some of the machinery are similar to my other jobs. We use wood, like a saw mill. Here, working on the glass, they need to be a little more precise. It’s definitely a little slower.
What would you say are the best memories so far about this job?
Rob: Hm.. I remember wiring up the tempering oven. We did that for a long time. And then, when they turned it on and everything seemed to work was really nice.
What can candidates expect from working in Maintenance Team at PRESS GLASS?
Rob: You can learn on new technology in the glass industry. The Supervisor’s fair about how they dictate the work. Just work hard. Candidates should have strong electrical and mechanical background. If they know PLC that is plus. It’s a great place to learn, even if somebody doesn’t have a lot of experience, they can come in and learn it.
Ronnie: Everyone is friendly and easy to get along with. It is like a family. People are generally safety conscious too because there are not many accidents considering we work with glass.
Na – Senior Process Improvement Specialist
Over the past four years, Na has advanced quickly at our Ridgeway facility. He started as a Production Operator Assistant and was promoted to Production Operator shortly after. He then became a Team Lead and after was promoted to Production Supervisor over five departments. He further progressed to a Process Improvement role, where he flourished from a Specialist to now a Senior Specialist.
Interview
Why did you decide to join PRESS GLASS?
I was looking for a new stabile environment to start work. So I came to the Meet’n’Greet and listened to the presentation. It sounded good and since I’ve been here, everything I heard was true – no surprises, always know what is going on. I’ve got plenty of room to grow. That was what I was looking for.
What do you like about PG?
A few things that I like about Press Glass is the fact that the company is continuing to grow, they promote within, and encourage employees to grow and excel by providing incentives. Press Glass also provides a range of tools and resources to help expand our knowledge. Lastly, I like that Press Glass is determined to become the #1 Glass Fabricator in the U.S.
What do you think about our international team? We have team members from Poland, Finland, German and Italy working under one roof.
Working with our international team has been and continues to be a great experience as they provide us with their glass expertise. As a team, we can exchange knowledge and insight about our new automated machinery.
What advise would you give to future employees?
To future employees, my initial advice would be to understand the process and purpose behind their job. I also encourage them to maintain an open mind when entering the workplace and make the most out of every chance to acquire new knowledge and use all available resources at their disposal.