esco expands capabilities in latin america

Transcription

esco expands capabilities in latin america
THE
NOVEMBER
2010
Solutions from ESCO
ESCO Expands
Capabilities in
Latin America
IN THIS ISSUE
Licensee ME Elecmetal (p. 10)
Joint Venture Foundry in Chile (p. 14)
Latin American Trade Shows (p. 16)
UK’s Farnborough Air Show (p. 18)
FROM THE EDITOR
ESCO CORPORATION
ESCO is a leading provider of highly engineered
products and services for mining, construction,
recycling, and aerospace applications. Founded
in Portland, Oregon (USA) in 1913, ESCO has
operations across North America, Latin America,
Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia with more
than 4000 employees, supplying ESCO branded
products through a global distribution network.
The Edge is available online:
www.escocorp.com/media/edge_magazine.html
Update your mailing address:
edgesubscriptions@escocorp.com
Editor
John Howard
Graphic Designer
Anthony Sheedy
Thank you to the following individuals for
their help on this issue: José Pablo Domínguez,
Fritz Goeth, Larry Huget, Roberto Lecaros, Iván
Lemus, Jim Liberator, Jaqueline Matos, Raoul
Meunier, Alexandre Murta, Tim Myers, Juan Parra,
José Rogério, Bruno Silva, Enrique Valdivieso,
Adrian White, and María Teresa Zelada
Comments and suggestions
are always welcome:
EDGE Magazine
ESCO Corporation
2141 NW 25th Avenue
Portland, Oregon USA 97210
e-mail: jhskyline@comcast.net
The value of THE ESCO brand
A
t a recent ceremony at ESCO Portland where design engineers were
recognized for their patented inventions (see page 21), Chairman Steve
Pratt made an important observation when he called the engineers “…
the embodiment of ESCO’s brand.” He added, “Your willingness to get out in the
field, analyze problems, and devise better solutions is what customers have come
to associate with ESCO.”
Over the last three decades that I have been accompanying our engineers and sales
representatives to mines, quarries and construction sites, I’ve met hundreds of
customers. Usually the visits are extremely cordial. But sometimes, after the polite
preliminaries, the customer might take us to task on the issue of the moment: a
broken part, availability, pricing or some other grievance. But beyond the minor
grumbling, there almost always seemed to me to be a great respect for ESCO –
respect for the advanced design and quality of our products, and respect for our
corporate ethic to support those products. No matter if they are located in Alberta,
Australia, Brazil or anywhere in the world, customers seem to respect ESCO’s
industry-leading tradition of devising better solutions and standing behind what
we sell. It is our brand.
Speaking of Brazil, most of this issue focuses on our business in Latin America.
I had the privilege of visiting our office and plant in Belo Horizonte, Brazil last
summer, where I learned about big initiatives on ESCO’s part to better serve the
red-hot Latin American market (see page 4). From there, I continued westward
to Santiago, Chile to visit and gather information about our good partner of 51
years, licensee ME Elecmetal (see page 10). During that stop, I received an update
on the joint venture foundry that we are currently building with ME Elecmetal on
the outskirts of Santiago. This new facility will provide a crucial source of ESCO®
earthmoving castings to support our aggressive growth plans in Latin America.
In addition, we include an article about England’s big Farnborough 2010 Air Show
where the latest military and commercial aircraft were showcased last July (see
page 18). ESCO’s Turbine Technologies unit, which supplies high-specification
investment castings to many of the world’s leading jet engine manufacturers,
reports that actual production of the next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner and
Airbus 380 jumbo jet in the near future should favorably impact our business.
Show the strengths and problem-solving
capabilities of ESCO’s business groups
Enjoy this final issue of the EDGE for 2010. Let’s hope that the world economy
strengthens in 2011 and that customers continue to find innovation, integrity and
value in the ESCO brand.
Spotlight ESCO’s successes in the
diverse markets it serves
– John R. Howard, editor
THE EDGE MISSION
Communicate the values and traditions
that make ESCO unique
Help build lasting and mutually beneficial
relationships with customers
Printed in the USA on
100% recycled / 100%
post consumer waste paper
© 2010 ESCO Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
4
THE EDGE
The magazine of ESCO Corporation
November 2010
Volume 7 Issue 3
IN THIS ISSUE
SUPERIOR SERVICE
IN LATIN AMERICA.........................................4
LICENSEE: ME ELECMETAL................... 10
JOINT VENTURE
FOUNDRY IN CHILE.................................... 14
CASA DE PEDRA
IRON MINE IN BRAZIL.............................. 15
LATIN AMERICAN
TRADE SHOWS...............................................16
FARNBOROUGH
AIR SHOW IN UK.......................................... 18
MANAGEMENT TEAM ADDITIONS..... 20
ENGINEERS AWARDED
FOR INNOVATION......................................... 21
15
FROM THE COVER: The Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are considered by many to be the most magnificent waterfalls on Earth.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and currently a leading candidate for the
Seven Wonders of Nature list, the falls are felt by many to be more spectacular even than
Niagara (North America) or Victoria Falls (Africa).
The Iguazu Falls are located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, about 600 miles
west of Sao Paulo. Both countries created large national parks on either side of the falls to
protect the surrounding jungle vegetation, wildlife, and the splendid cascades themselves.
In fact, there are some 275 individual falls arrayed on several tiers and stretching over a mile
and a half. The roar and mist generated by so many falls is incredible. Rainbows constantly
form and reform as the sunlight refracts off ever-changing billows of mist.
Photo by John Howard
10
18
ESCO CONTINUES
TO EXPAND GLOBAL
CAPABILITIES
4
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
ESCO’s Latin American sales region includes all the countries
in South America, the Caribbean, Central America and
Mexico. There are 32 independent countries in this region with
a combined population of about 750 million – and growing
rapidly. Spanish is the most widely spoken language throughout
the region, with the notable exception of Brazil where they
speak Portuguese.
Latin America is currently enjoying a period of relative
political stability and robust economic growth. Very rich
in minerals, Latin America is a world-leading producer of
copper, iron, tin, gold, bauxite and other valuable ores. As you
will read in the pages to follow, ESCO is committed to be the
region’s number one supplier of mining products and services.
Serving
the THRIVING
Latin American
Market
By John R. Howard
R
ebounding from the downturn of 2008-2009, mining
and construction activity has increased markedly
throughout much of Latin America, and ESCO is
strengthening its service to these markets. Our manufacturing
capability, supply chain, sales and market presence are all being
upgraded to meet the demands of customers throughout this
growing, mineral-rich part of the world.
ESCO has a history in Latin America going back over half
a century. We began exporting mining wear parts to the
region shortly after World War II. In 1959, ESCO signed a
license agreement with Elecmetal, the leading steel foundry
in Chile, to manufacture and sell our products primarily to
that country’s robust copper mining industry. (See article on
page 10.) For a number of years, ESCO maintained additional
license agreements with foundries in Brazil and Mexico,
which helped build sales and ESCO brand awareness in
those important mining markets. In 2007, ESCO established
a joint venture with Soldering in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a
major bucket manufacturer and provider of wear solutions to
that country’s growing mining, construction and sugar cane
processing industries.
In 2009, ESCO took a further step forward in servicing the
Latin American market. In May of that year, the company
bought-out its joint venture partner and established a
wholly-owned ESCO Latin American regional office in Belo
Horizonte, Brazil. Tim Myers, former head of ESCO’s Bucyrus
Blades business unit, was appointed managing director for the
Latin American Region. Juan Parra joined the team as general
sales manager. >>> Continued on next page.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
5
LATIN AMERICA:
WHERE WE ARE
Mexico
Peru
Chile
Brazil
As at facilities throughout the corporation, ESCO’s Latin
American team has received much training in the principles
of lean and Quality-Value-Speed. Their understanding
and implementation of process management, value stream
mapping, standard work, visible metrics, flow, accountability,
continuous improvement and other QVS methods have
resulted in substantial efficiency gains in both the office
and shop.
For example, Adriano Mendanha de Oliveira, ESCO Brazil’s
product development manager, points to an “amazing
improvement” in customer responsiveness as a result of lean
office training. “We developed a value stream map of our
quotation process, identified the wasted time, and attacked,” he
said. “In the past, we delivered only 42 percent of our quotes
on-time; now it is 98 percent. We’ve cut the average quote time
from about ten-and-a-half hours to two-and-a-half hours, and
we’re still improving.”
Similar gains are being realized in virtually all of the processes
that employees have focused on over the last 18 months –
inside sales, engineering, supply chain, etc.
After a period of adjustment to American ownership and
ESCO’s culture of employee empowerment, the team in Belo
Horizonte has begun to reach its stride. Over 400 people
now serve under the ESCO Latin America umbrella in Belo
Horizonte. Many of these employees work in manufacturing
and engineering, building and refurbishing buckets, truck beds
and other products used in mining, construction, recycling
and sugar cane processing. In addition, a growing number of
ESCO employees are involved in sales and service to customers
throughout Latin America, including a sales and distribution
operation in Lima, Peru; a blade manufacturing facility and
ESCO product distribution operation in Atlacomulco,
Mexico; and ESCO sales professionals located in Argentina
and Venezuela.
“Brazil, South America’s largest country, has a 10 percent
growth rate and industry is scrambling to keep pace with
demand,” noted Tim Myers. “Here at ESCO we’ve brought
in some seasoned management and we’re building our
commercial and manufacturing capabilites. We’re focusing on
value-added products and promoting our market presence like
never before.”
Tim specifically mentioned the addition of José Rogério Silva,
managing director for Brazil, and Alexandre Murta, director
of Operations, and as examples of the highly experienced
management team members that ESCO has assembled
to provide leadership to build the team, enhance service
and grow sales in the region. “The quality of people here is
impressive,” Tim continued. “The average age of the sales,
engineering, and general administrative team is 30
years. They’re young, intelligent, and have a high energy
level. They’ve chosen to work for ESCO because of the
opportunities we offer to grow and advance their careers
with a great, global company.”
6
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
DELIVERING VALUE
The ESCO plant is an impressive 75,000 square foot steel
fabrication facility where buckets, truck beds and other
products for the mining, construction, and sugar processing
industries are built or refurbished. Over 9,000 metric tons of
steel plate are processed annually in the plant – a figure that
continues to grow.
Above: A grinder puts the finishing touches on a hoe bucket at ESCO’s large fabrication and repair facility near Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Opposite page: José Rogério Silva,
managing director for ESCO in Brazil; and Tim Myers, ESCO’s managing director for the entire Latin American region.
Alexandre Murta and his manufacturing team have worked
hard to improve the flow, minimize work-in-process, and
build employee “ownership” of the quality, value and speed
of production. Manufacturing equipment continues to be
upgraded and rearranged. Work cells have been created and
boards posted to better track parts and buckets. Working
three shifts a day and six days a week, the plant performs all
the functions of a comprehensive engineering, fabrication and
repair/rebuild operation.
The ESCO plant does a robust bucket rebuilding business,
too. Often this provides an opportunity to convert customers
to value-added ESCO® wear parts, including the hammerless
Posilok® Plus, SV2® and Ultralok® tooth systems.
In the planning stage is an additional bucket repair and wear
parts manufacturing facility to be located in Parauapebas in
the State of Pará in the north of Brazil. This ESCO supply and
service facility, scheduled to come online by year’s end, 2010,
will address the parts and bucket repair needs of customers in
the important Carajas mining cluster.
Mining is Huge in Latin America
Latin America is mineral rich, and mining is a key contributor
many of the national economies in the region. The Andes
Mountain Range that runs the length of the South American
continent is laden with copper, gold, silver and other minerals.
The eastern part of the continent is rich in iron ore, bauxite,
nickel and gemstones.
Chile is the world’s leading producer of copper. Brazil is one
of the world’s leading producers of iron and bauxite. Peru is
a leading producer of gold, lead, tin and zinc. Colombia is
the world’s fourth largest producer of coal. Mexico has major
deposits of lead, gold and silver. Bolivia is one of the world’s
top producers of tin. Much bauxite is mined in Jamaica.
Argentina and Bolivia have large gold deposits. Venezuela has
nickel. The list goes on and on.
While some countries are more receptive than others to
foreign investment in mining, virtually all of the world’s
major mining companies have significant operations in
Latin America, either wholly owned or as joint ventures.
Anglo American has major operations in Chile (copper
and molybdenum), Venezuela (nickel), and Brazil (nickel).
Barrick has mines in Peru, Argentina and Chile (copper and
gold). BHP Billiton is active in Chile, Peru and Brazil (copper
and iron). Drummond has a huge coal mine in Colombia.
Freeport-McMoRan mines copper in Peru and Chile. Grupo
Mexico owns Southern Peru Copper. Newmont mines gold,
copper and silver in Peru. Rio Tinto mines copper in Peru and
Chile. Japanese, Chinese, Canadian and other mining interests
are active in the region, as well.
In addition to major international mining companies, several
Latin America-based companies have grown into worldclass stature. CODELCO in Chile is a major player in copper
production with eight major open pit and underground mines.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
7
“Every mine is more conscious
today of safety, cost
reduction and profitability.
That is why our Posilok, SV2
and Whisler Plus systems
are in such high demand.”
- Vicente Pascarella (ESCO)
In addition to the growing corps of district managers, a new
type of sales/service position is being added that is unique to
Latin America. ESCO is placing “technical inspectors” at a
number of large, remote mines. Employed full-time by ESCO,
these individuals monitor the condition of ground engaging
tools, anticipate problems, and advise mine operators when it
is time to change teeth and other wear parts. In essence, they
say “We’re the GET and wear steel experts. Let us worry about
wear parts while you worry about production.” They serve as
ESCO’s eyes and ears, as well as the mines’.
And in Brazil, Vale has emerged as the world’s leading miner,
processor and exporter of iron.
ESCO has developed a wear solutions supplier relationship
with almost every major mine and mining company in Latin
America. In a few cases, this stems from supplier agreements
negotiated at the corporate level. In other instances, it is
the result of good salesmanship and service provided at the
local level.
“We have earned significant market share for the shovel and
hydraulic excavator GET business in Latin America,” noted
Juan Parra, general sales manager for all the countries except
Brazil. ESCO truly is the “Customer’s Choice” in this region.
Sales Network Changing & Expanding
As a result of strategic planning related to customer service
and sales growth, major changes are being implemented by
ESCO in Latin America. For one thing, we have strengthened
our market presence by adding sales professionals to interface
directly with our customers and to support our contracted
sales representatives. The number of ESCO district sales
managers has grown significantly over the last 20 months. An
ESCO sales office was opened in Lima, Peru, and another is
planned for Argentina. In Brazil alone, sales managers Rodnei
Pinto and Ana Paula Machado direct a team of nearly 20
district managers and representatives.
8
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
“Trust is key,” emphasized José Rogério. “As our on-site
technical inspectors develop long-term relationships of trust
with the mine, they will show that they can help manage their
GET needs to get maximum productivity and avoid equipment
downtime. In that way, they will provide value to both the
mine and ESCO.”
The ESCO sales management team is optimistic that the
addition of these on-site technical inspectors will have a
big impact on customer service, heading off problems and
assuring that mines order wear parts and buckets well in
advance. The technical inspectors will also have a key role in
assessing the competition, assisting mines to convert to ESCO,
and communicating with our engineering staff.
When the EDGE visited ESCO’s Latin America office in Belo
Horizonte in July, morale and the general energy level were
quite high. Interviews revealed an enthusiasm for where the
organization is headed. They have experienced success and
recognition through process improvement, and they want to
see it continue.
“We have spirited discussions, but at the end of the day we
make good decisions,” said José Rogério. “People are taking
ownership of problems, providing solutions and heading-off
future problems. The changes I’ve seen over the last six months
have been incredible. It has been fun.”
“ESCO in Brazil and throughout Latin America is on the
verge of becoming a great organization,” he added. “We
have a window of opportunity that we’re in the process of
grasping. Internally, we’re focused on taking care of our people,
maximizing employee safety and satisfaction while working
toward low rework, low downtime and lower cost.”
ESCO’s Latin American organization is positioned to serve
the mining activity that is surging throughout the continent,
as well as heavy construction, cane processing, dredging and
other industries. With innovative products, a strengthened
sales organization, and a commitment to customer service,
ESCO cannot help but succeed in this region of the world.
“My customers love ESCO’s tooth systems,” said Vicente
Pascarella, district manager for Colombia and Central
America. “They love the hammerless safety and easy
installation of the Whisler Plus® and SV2®tooth systems.
We have 100 percent of the GET on the big machines at the
Cerrejóne and Drummond coal mines in Colombia.”
“Customers throughout Latin America are demanding a higher
level of customer service from their suppliers,” concluded
Juan Parra, general sales manager. “Every mine is more
conscious today of safety, cost reduction and profitability. That
is why our Posilok, SV2 and Whisler Plus systems are in such
high demand – they are wonderful tools. ESCO offers the
technology, range of wear solutions, expertise and local service
that none of our competitors in Latin America can match.” ■
In ESCO’s 75,000 square foot fabrication facility near Belo Horizonte, Brazil, buckets, truck
beds and equipment for mining and sugar processing are manufactured and refurbished.
Above, part of the team poses outside ESCO’s Latin American regional office near Belo
Horizonte, Brazil. Over 400 people are now employed by ESCO throughout Latin America
in manufacturing, engineering, and supply and service capacities.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
9
esco licensee update:
me ElECMETAL
ESCO’s Outstanding Licensee in Chile
Santiago, Chile – ELECMETAL S.A. is ESCO’s most senior
licensee, a vital partner in serving the large Chilean copper
mining market. ESCO signed the original license agreement
with the owners of this highly regarded Chilean steel foundry
in 1959, the beginning of a 50-year-plus partnership that
has benefited both companies and fostered warm personal
relationships.
ELECMETAL is a division of the Claro Group, a diversified
Chilean company with interests in shipping, glass containers,
premium wine and communications, in addition to steel
castings. Thanks largely to its high-volume shipping business
– the largest in Chile – the Claro Group’s annual invoicing is
approximately $5.6 billion.
The Claro Group owns and operates four steel foundries under
the ME Elecmetal name, including foundries in Santiago and
Rancagua, Chile; Duluth, Minnesota; and Tempe, Arizona.
Together, the four foundries produce about 82,000 tons of
castings per year.
The Compañia Electro Metalúrgica S.A. (ME Elecmetal)
was founded in 1917. Its history of technological leadership
is similar to ESCO’s. It was the first steel foundry in Latin
America to use an electric arc furnace rather than a coal-fired
furnace and converter to produce steel alloys. The company
started out making castings for railroads and agriculture,
but quickly recognized that the greatest opportunities were
as a supplier to the copper mining industry. Following the
discovery of huge deposits of copper in the north of Chile
in the early 1900s, a world-class copper mining industry
developed. ME Elecmetal seized the opportunity to cast
crusher jaws, cones, mill liners, grates and other wear parts
used in the grinding and processing of copper ore. For over
90 years, service to the mining industry has been the primary
focus of ME Elecmetal
When ME Elecmetal became an ESCO licensee a halfcentury ago, it began making and selling ESCO® wear parts
for crushing in the Chilean market – principally cones and
mantles. In the 1960s, it also began selling early-generation
ESCO earthmoving parts to the mines, including the Conical®
tooth system. By sharing technological know-how with its
North American partner, ME Elecmetal became one of the
most sophisticated steel foundries in all of Latin America.
Unable to expand its city-encircled Santiago facility, the
company in 2007 bought the Talleres Foundry in Rancagua,
Chile, about 60 miles south of Santiago. This acquisition
10
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
ME Elecmetal casts and supplies ESCO® earthmoving wear parts to Chile’s large
mining industry.
would eventually increase the company’s capacity and further
established ME Elecmetal as the premier casting supplier to
the Chilean mining industry.
“Through a focused growth strategy, a well structured
expansion plan, committed and highly motivated people,
operating efficiencies and customer orientation the company
has been able to grow its steel business from $25 million ten
years ago to nearly $300 million this year, and we expect
continued growth in the years to come,” remarked Rolando
Medeiros, ME Elecmetal’s CEO.
Today, under Operations Manager Raoul Meunier, ME
Elecmetal’s Santiago foundry produces about 60 tons a day.
Once a green sand foundry, the facility has in recent years
been converted to a largely flaskless, no-bake foundry. By
eliminating bulky metal flasks, the foundry gained needed
work space and became a safer, more efficient operation.
The Talleres plant in Rancagua uses three furnaces to pour
the necessary metal. It produces mostly mill liners, primary
crusher parts, and large slag pots. Led by General Manager
José Pablo Domínguez, the plant is actively engaged in a Total
Productive Maintenance (TPM) campaign to eliminate waste
and improve efficiency. Over the three years that ME Elecmetal
has owned and managed the Talleres foundry, output has
increased as well as productivity.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
11
Above (left): The leadership team at ME Elecmetal includes, from left, Roberto Lecaros, sales manager; Raoul Meunier; operations manager; Nicolás Cuevas, manager of administration
and finance; and Enrique Valdivieso, foundry general manager. At right: José Pablo Domínguez, general manager of the Rancagua plant. Not pictured: CEO Rolando Medeiros.
Over and above the production of steel castings, ME Elecmetal
provides engineering services to the mines, finding ways to
modify process equipment for greater output and reliability.
In addition, they perform much machining, fabricating,
repair and rebuilding of buckets and process equipment for
their customers.
The Chilean Market
Chile is very rich in copper, and there are mines and
processing plants located all along the Andes Range. Gold,
silver, molybdenum and other valuable minerals are also
extracted from the predominantly copper deposits.
The largest share of ME Elecmetal steel tonnage goes into
heavy processing wear parts for milling and crushing.
A smaller but growing percentage of its tonnage goes
into ground-engaging tools (GET) including the ESCO®
Super V® tooth systems and Kwik-Lok® wear runners. Other
ESCO mining product lines, including the S-Posilok® and SV2®
tooth systems and Whisler Plus® adapters are imported from
the USA.
“We have nearly half of the Chilean market share in ground
engaging tools, including all ESCO products,” explained
Roberto Lecaros, sales manager for ME Elecmetal Chile. “The
Posilok tooth system, for example, is on about 70 percent of
the total ESCO mining products that ME Elecmetal imports
from ESCO.”
“We see opportunities for growth in front end loaders,
graders and dozers,” added Germán Valenzuela, GET
product manager for ME Elecmetal. A large portion of
their GET sales are concentrated in a half-dozen big
mines, including Escondida (BHP Billiton), Chuquicamata
(CODELCO), Candelaria (Freeport-McMoRan), El Abra
(Freeport & CODELCO) and Esperanza (Marubeni &
Antofagasta Minerals).
12
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
“ESCO has provided a level
of technological research
and innovative products
matched by very few
foundries in the world.”
– Raoul Meunier (ME Elecmetal)
To provide excellent local service to the mines, ME Elecmetal
has located sales representatives in Iquique, Calama,
Antofagasta, Copiapó, La Serena, Rancagua and Santiago. In
some cases, the representatives have offices right in the mines,
providing day-to-day monitoring, advice and service.
“ESCO and ELECMETAL make a good combination in the
Chilean market,” Roberto Lecaros noted. “ESCO has excellent
technology and a reputation for the best castings. We at ME
Elecmetal are close to the customers and provide excellent
service. Together, we have earned a large share of the market.”
The entire ELECMETAL organization looks forward to
the time when state-of-the-art ESCO products such as the
highly successful Whisler Plus adapters and SV2 teeth are
manufactured locally in the joint venture foundry, scheduled
to come online in late 2011. (See JOINT VENTURE article
that follows.) A local supply will improve availability, cut
today’s lead time dramatically and allow ME Elecmetal to be
more agile and responsive in the GET marketplace.
Asked for his assessment of ME Elecmetal’s future, Foundry
General Manager Enrique Valdivieso said the following: “I’m
absolutely optimistic. If you look back at what this business
was in 1970 and see what we have become today, you have to
be optimistic. Our owners have created a wonderful group of
companies, entered into strategic alliances, and have supported
an atmosphere of continuous growth. You can feel the spirit
of our founder, the late Ricardo Claro Valdés, in the culture of
this company. We are not only about making a profit, but about
treating people right and doing good things in this world.”
“ESCO has excellent
technology and a reputation
for the best castings. We at
ME Elecmetal are close to
the customers and provide
excellent service. Together,
we have earned a large
share of the market.”
– roberto lecaros (ME Elecmetal)
ESCO is very proud to have sustained such a productive
relationship with ME Elecmetal for over a half-century. With
the building of the joint venture foundry underway, we look
forward to many more years working side-by-side to serve
Chilean customers, providing good jobs, and bolstering our
position as global leaders in the steel foundry industry. ■
ME Elecmetal operates foundries in both Santiago and Rancagua, Chile. The company produces castings
for milling, crushing and earthmoving, as well as providing engineering, fabricating and repair services.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
13
INNOVATION
UPDATE ON THE ESCO-ELECMETAL
Joint Venture Foundry
“everything has
been considered and
designed for the
maximum efficiency
and the least
environmental impact.”
– Iván Lemus (ELECMETAL)
Above: Artist’s drawing of the 200,000 square foot joint venture foundry being built on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. Below: Iván Lemus, site manager for the new foundry.
S
everal years ago the directors of ESCO and
ELECMETAL approved the building of a joint
venture foundry in Chile to manufacture ESCO®
products. Planning for the facility was in full swing
until the global economic downturn of 2008-2009, which
prompted a halt in progress on the project until market
conditions improved.
Well, market conditions did improve in 2010 and a decision
was made earlier this year to proceed with the foundry.
Customers are clamoring for ESCO products and we need the
added capacity!
Much advance work has been done on the project. The selected
18-acre site is 11 miles (17 km) north of the city center of
Santiago, Chile, adjacent to Highway 5. When up and fully
operational, the 200,000 square foot (18,600 m) facility is
projected to produce 33 tons of ESCO products daily at first,
with an eventual target of 55 tons. It will start with a 10-ton arc
furnace and an AOD purifying vessel enabling the foundry to
produce castings in any and all ESCO alloys.
The foundry’s two customers, ESCO and ELECMETAL, will be
able to source high-demand mining products such as the new,
hammerless Posilok® Plus and SV2® tooth systems, Whisler
Plus™ adapter system, and much more. The foundry is being
set-up to produce many of the same mining products that
are currently poured at ESCO’s plant in Newton, Mississippi.
Having a local, Chilean source for these castings will be a
welcome change for customers and sales personnel throughout
South America, reducing the lead time and cost of shipping
castings from North America.
The joint venture foundry, formally called ESCO ELECMETAL
Fundición Ltda., has a four-member board of directors: Jon
Owens and Ian Bingham of ESCO, and Rolando Medeiros
and Raoul Meunier of ELECMETAL. Iván Lemus has been
14
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
appointed site manager for
the facility. A mechanical
engineer with an MBA
degree, Iván has worked
at ELECMETAL’s plant in
Tempe, Arizona, and speaks
excellent English. He and
methods engineer Marco
Rivadeneira have worked
closely with Jerry Gillis,
Andy Rowzee,
Carter Webb and a host of
other ESCO engineers and
production people to plan
and prepare for the new
foundry. Trials and training
have been underway for
months at the Newton plant to prepare for the start-up of the
Chilean facility. Foundry tooling is being purchased and tested.
To meet very stringent local environmental impact regulations
and to satisfy ESCO’s own standards for resource conservation
and sustainability, the joint venture foundry design team has
worked diligently to assure that every aspect of the plant is as
“green” as possible. Energy use, equipment efficiency, lighting,
noise, odor, safety, building materials, rain water management,
earthquake preparedness – everything has been considered
and designed for the maximum efficiency and the least
environmental impact.
Actual construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and
the first heats are expected to be poured in the fourth quarter
of 2011. By early 2012 some 80 people will be employed in
the modern plant, ramping-up to produce 33 tons or more of
needed ESCO castings daily. ■
CUSTOMER FOCUS
ESCO Helps Produce Iron Ore at
CSN’s Casa de Pedra Mine in Brazil
Above left: ESCO’s Bruno Silva and Jaqueline Matos pose with CSN’s Thaigo Neves inside a large loader bucket fitted with ESCO’s SV2® tooth system.
Above right: A 21 cubic meter face shovel bucket fabricated by ESCO and fitted with the ESCO Posilok® mining tooth system and Toplok® shrouds.
C
ompanhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) is the
second largest iron ore mining company in Brazil
and one of the world’s leading producers of flat
steel products. Founded in 1941, the firm owns and
operates several iron mines, steel mills, and port terminals. It
both exports iron ore and manufactures steel products used
domestically in automobiles, appliances, construction and
other end uses.
CSN’s large Casa de Pedra (“House of Rocks”) Mine in
Congonhas, Brazil produces over 20 million tons of high
purity iron ore annually. Plans are being implemented to
accelerate development of this world class iron ore deposit,
with a goal of doubling production in the next few years.
A long-term target is to boost production to as many as 70
million tons annually.
Bruno Silva is ESCO’s district manager responsible for serving
the Casa de Pedras Mine and a dozen others in the iron-rich
Minas Gerais region. Bruno and the entire ESCO team have
been successful at introducing ESCO® ground engaging tools
at the mine as well as performing extensive bucket rebuilds
and replacements.
The mine currently uses three Cat 994D loaders. In August,
2009 when the bucket on one of the big loaders needed
ESCO will stand
shoulder-to-shoulder
with CSN, providing value-added
buckets, ESCO tooth systems,
and excellent local service.
replacing, it was fitted with a 19 cubic meter bucket and the
SV2® tooth system. The big bucket was designed and built by
the wear and fabrication experts at ESCO in nearby Belo
Horizonte, Brazil. Flawless performance and high production
since installation make it likely that the rest of CSN’s loader
fleet will be fitted with similar SV2-equipped buckets built to
last by ESCO.
Nearby in the pit, a Komatsu PC5500 hydraulic face shovel
fitted with a 21 cubic meter bucket with ESCO’s S-Series
Posilok® tooth system digs and loads raw ore with great
efficiency. The mine uses five cable shovels and five hydraulic
face shovels to extract the iron ore. A fleet of nearly 50 haul
trucks moves the ore to the on-site mill where it is crushed,
washed, graded and shipped to CSN mills or ports.
As the mine’s expansion plans develop, ESCO will stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with CSN, providing value-added
buckets, ESCO tooth systems, and excellent local service. ■
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
15
BRAZILIAN TRADE SHOWS
FENASUCRO 2010 &
EQUIPO MINING 2010
SHOWCASING
®
ESCO ULTRALOK®
TOOTH SYSTEM
AND
ELITE ON-SITE
SERVICES
16
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
EQUIPO MINING 2010:
Santa Luzia, Brazil ― ESCO participated in an important
mining equipment show last August called EQUIPO MINING
2010. Our goal at the show was to promote the ESCO brand in
Brazil, a brand of technical know-how, innovative technology,
and customer service.
ESCO’s stand featured a large mining truck body, excavator
buckets and mining buckets ― all built at ESCO’s plant in Belo
Horizonte, Brazil. Various wear solutions and the SV2® tooth
system were displayed.
Of special interest to Brazilian mining and construction
customers, the hammerless Ultralok® tooth system was also
introduced at the show. Live demonstrations during the event
emphasized the features and benefits of the Ultralok system.
ESCO personnel simulated a field service call by driving a new
ESCO service and supply truck to a nearby Doosan excavator
fitted with the Ultralok system where they demonstrated how
quickly, easily and safely Ultralok teeth can be changed. It took
them only one minute and 31 seconds to change a set of six
points! As a result of this impressive demonstration, the high
quality of the stand, and the knowledgeable ESCO team that
manned the stand, a number of orders were taken.
The launching of ESCO’s mobile supply and service fleet with
technical service and specialty steel products was widely
publicized at the show, and it received a very positive response.
Customers noted that additional ESCO supply and service
facilities and mobile units mean they can get technical support
right at their sites. This innovative service will help minimize
expensive downtime for non-scheduled maintenance.
“We showed that ESCO Soldering is leading the industry
with innovative wear solutions for handling the product in
the field as well as processing it in the refineries,” said Ana
Paula Machado, ESCO’s sales manager for the construction,
industrial, sugar and ethanol markets.
“We are aiming to expand our presence in the Brazilian
market,” said Jose Rogerio Silva, managing director for
Brazil. By promoting its innovative products and services
at FENASUCRO, ESCO Soldering took a big step in
that direction. ■
“This was an important and successful show for us,” said
Jose Rogerio Silva, managing director of ESCO Brazil.
The ESCO brand was promoted, ESCO’s technical and
manufacturing capabilities demonstrated, and the number
of orders and conversions to ESCO tooth systems
exceeded expectations. ■
FENASUCRO 2010
ESCO Soldering enjoyed great participation at FENASUCRO,
an industrial show focused on the Brazilian sugar and
energy industries. Held in Sao Paolo, Brazil from August
31 to September 3, the show was an opportunity for ESCO
Soldering to showcase its superior products, sophisticated
engineering capabilities, and innovative services.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
17
Farnborough
ESCO
International Air Show 2010
Turbine Technologies
Participates IN U.K.’s
largest air show
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, below, was a star attraction
at the Farnborough Air Show. An international sales
team manned the ESCO stand, bottom right.
18
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
ESCO is producing
castings for
engines used on
the Airbus A380,
AIRBUS A400M,
Boeing 787 AND
BOEING 747-8
In July, ESCO’s Turbine Technologies group participated in the
Farnborough International Air Show in Hampshire, England.
Located about 30 miles southwest of London, the Farnborough
Airfield hosts the United Kingdom’s largest air show every
even-numbered year, alternating with the big Paris Air Show
in France. The Farnborough show dates back to 1948.
ESCO participated in Farnborough 2010 by taking a booth in
the Belgian Aerospace Pavilion. The ESCO team included Jim
Liberator, vice president for Sales; Paul Verhaegen, managing
director of ESCO Belgium; Ramses Valdez, plant manager of
ESCO Mexico; and Jean-Claude Carlier and Adrian White of
ESCO Europe’s sales team.
The show featured daily flying displays by planes ranging
from small single-engine aircraft to state-of-the-art military
jets and the Airbus A380 super jumbo commercial jet. The
star attraction this year was the first European appearance of
Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner. The new Airbus A400M military
transport also made its first appearance at Farnborough.
The show provided an excellent opportunity for the ESCO
team to meet with existing and potential customers from
around the world. We displayed representative aerospace
products from all five ESCO Turbine Technologies investment
casting facilities. ESCO is currently producing castings for new
generation engines used on the Airbus A380 and A400M as
well as the Boeing 787 and 747-8.
“It is very encouraging to see the beginnings of a solid recovery
in the aero market. ESCO has invested in numerous new
engine programs over the last several years and it is quite
exciting to see these aircraft now flying the skies,” concluded
Jim Liberator. ■
Despite the economic downturn that depressed aircraft sales
for several years, both Airbus and Boeing reported significant
order activity during the Farnborough show. Airbus reported
255 aircraft orders with a sales value of $28 billion, while
Boeing reported 206 aircraft orders worth $23 billion.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
19
POWERED BY PEOPLE
NEW MEMBERS OF ESCO’s LEADERSHIP
Information Technology
BRAD HAHN
Corporate Communications
& Public Affairs
KELLEY EGRE
JIM O’BRIEN
Brad Hahn has joined ESCO as vice
president for Information Technology,
reporting to Larry Huget, president and
COO. Brad is responsible for business
applications and analysis, personal
computing, data center operations,
network and telecom services, as well as
IT security.
Kelley Egre has joined ESCO as director
of Corporate Communications and
Public Affairs, reporting to Larry
Huget, president and COO. Kelly’s
responsibilities include internal
communications, public relations and
public affairs for ESCO Corporation’s
global operations.
A graduate of the US Naval Academy,
Brad served as a US Navy submarine
officer. He earned an MBA degree from
the University of Virginia’s Darden
School of Business. Prior to joining
ESCO, he was director of IT Applications
and ERP for Air Products & Chemicals,
Inc. of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
A graduate of the University of Oregon,
she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in English and Journalism. Her most
recent position before joining ESCO was
as an account supervisor with Edelman
Public Relations, a global marketing and
communications firm.
Jim O’Brien has joined ESCO’s
Engineered Products Group as vice
president - Global Supply Chain,
reporting to Jon Owens, group vice
president – Engineered Products. Jim’s
responsibilities are to develop ESCO’s
supply chain capabilities vis-à-vis global
inventory, warehousing, logistics and
procurement.
Brad and his wife, Betsy, live in Lake
Oswego, Oregon. They have three sons:
Tim, Dennis and Sam.
Kelley and her husband, Bill Gassaway,
currently live in downtown Portland. She
has two stepchildren, Kyle and Whitney,
and a grandson, Eli.
ESCO employs smart, hard-working and collaborative
people focused on improving processes to satisfy
customers and deliver exceptional results. Building strong
leaders and developing skills are keys to our success.
www.escocorp.com/careers/
20
Global Supply Chain
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
Jim earned a degree in business from
Boston University. With more than
20 years’ experience in supply chain
management, he has served in senior
roles with consumer, health care
and industrial companies. He was
vice president of Global Logistics for
Thermadyne Holdings, and has provided
strategic supply chain management
consulting services.
He and his wife, Pam, have five children:
Neil, Dani, James, Patrick and Finn.
Currently living in Fort Worth, Texas,
Jim and his family plan to move to the
Portland area.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
INNOVATION: Key to the ESCO Brand
“esco strives to design
products that ARE more
productive, longer-lasting,
safer and easier to use,
lighter, and which leave less
throwaway metal at the end
of their wear life. Superior
performance is the key to
the success of a NEW ESCO
product.”
– Terry Briscoe, senior engineer
From left, Aaron Lian, Steven Hyde and Ken Kubo receive plaques and a handshake of
thanks and congratulations from ESCO President and COO Larry Huget for their work on
the innovative ProFill® dragline bucket, shown below.
In mid-September, 14 ESCO engineers were honored for the
work they did to develop innovative products. In a ceremony
attended by Chairman Steve Pratt, President and COO
Larry Huget, and Director Hank Swigert, the design engineers
were presented individual plaques bearing an engraved copy
of the patent certificate for which they were the primary or
secondary inventor.
“Our shareholders, employees and most of all our customers
rely on ESCO engineers like you to develop new products that
solve problems in the field while sustaining ESCO’s growth and
leadership,” Larry Huget told the group during the ceremony.
To date, ESCO engineers have earned over 300 US patents and
many more foreign patents going back to the very early days
of the company. Some patents relate to blockbuster designs
such as the safe, durable and efficient Ultralok® tooth system
or Kwik-Lok® wear runners, while others are more subtle
innovations, such as the shape and function of a locking pin.
The hammerless Whisler Plus® adapter system for mining
shovels and the highly productive ProFill® dragline bucket
design stand out as products that have been embraced by
customers for outstanding productivity.
The engineers receiving US patent credits at September’s
ceremony included Terry Briscoe (29), Bob Emrich (16),
Chris Carpenter (9), Charlie Ollinger (8), Bob Fleck (5),
Bob McClanahan (4), Aaron Lian (2) and first-time recipients
Jim Bearden, Severn Durand, Venkat Gaurav, Dave Graf,
Steven Hyde, Ken Kubo, Phil Metschan, and Carolyn Shapiro.
ESCO’s patent attorney Steve Schad was also recognized for the
key role that he has played in shepherding each design through
the patent process.
“The engineers in this room are the embodiment of ESCO’s
brand,” concluded Chairman Steve Pratt. “Your willingness to
get out in the field, analyze problems, and devise better solutions is what customers have come to associate with ESCO.” ■
“Mines running our ProFill buckets are reporting greater
payloads, lower cycle times and increased production,” noted
Randal Bourquien, product manager for dragline and cable
shovel products. “Word-of-mouth is driving sales of this great
new product.”
Terry Briscoe continues as ESCO’s leading all-time inventor
with 29 US patents to his credit. Other notable US patentearning engineers from ESCO’s past include Les Ehmann (24
patents), Fred Hahn (22), Larren Jones (19), Paul Larsen (17)
and Lew Youni (13).
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
21
ESCO EMPLOYEES CELEBRATING 25+ YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE
22
Greg Wellnitz
45 Years • Portland
Donna DeForge
40 Years • Syracuse
Herbert Richardson
40 Years • Newton
Mike Young
40 Years • Bucyrus
Henry Beasley
35 Years • Portland
Dick Halbert
35 Years • Bucyrus
Greg was born in St. Paul,
MN but spent most of
his childhood in Seattle.
He graduated from Lake
Washington High School,
attended Portland State
University and served in
the Oregon Air National
Guard before joining
ESCO. Greg started in
the Doghouse and has
worked as a leadman in
Radiography and spent 20
years working in Quality
Assurance. Today Greg
is a gauge engineering
technician - a role crucial
to ensuring that ESCO
products have a consistent
size and fit across the
globe. In his free time
Greg enjoys restoring cars,
gardening, fishing and
traveling. Greg and his wife
Joanne have two sons and
live in Warren, OR.
Donna was born in Lyons,
NY and graduated from
Cazenovia High School.
She first joined ESCO Syracuse in the Shelling department and went on to work
in Wax, Straightening,
NDT, Production Control,
and Customer Service.
Donna currently works
as an engineering technician. She considers her
colleagues to be one of the
best things about working
at ESCO. In her free time
Donna enjoys golf, working around the house, and
spending time with her two
children, KC and
Maximillian.
Herbert was born in
Decatur, MS. He graduated
from Newton High School,
served in the U.S. National
Guard and worked for the
Newton Foam Rubber
Plant before joining ESCO
Newton in September of
1970. Herbert started as a
welder and also built ESCO
buckets. In his free time
Herbert enjoys hunting
and fishing. He and his
wife, Dianne, live in
Decatur, MS and have two
sons, Ken and Tim.
Mike Young was born
in Bucyrus and attended
Colonel Crawford High
School. He worked at a
Ford Dealership in Sulphur
Springs, Ohio, prior to
joining ESCO as a shears
operator. Mike went on to
become maintenance team
leader and is upholding
a family tradition, with
his father, Richard, and
two uncles, Harry and
Clyde, all having worked
at the same location when
it was known as Bucyrus
Blades. He enjoys spending
time with his wife, Diane,
camping and working on
cars.
Henry was born in
Hollandale, MS and
worked for the Western
Conservative Baptist
Church for eight years and
a golf cart manufacturer
before joining ESCO in
1975. Henry started in the
Doghouse and has worked
as a Ladle department
leadman and in Refractory.
Henry notes that he has
great respect for ESCO and
the changes that have been
made over the last 35 years
which have allowed him to
stay passionate about his
work. Henry is currently
a machine operator and
in his free time he is
involved with the Mill Park
Baptist Church. He and
his wife, Eurelene, live in
SE Portland and have five
adult children.
Dick was born in Baraboo,
WI and graduated from
St. Cloud State University,
MN. He worked as a
district manager for Pacal
Blades before becoming
a territory manager for
ESCO Bucyrus (known
as ‘Bucyrus Blades’ at that
time). Dick’s favorite aspect
of his job is the products
that he represents, which
he describes as “the best
in the industry.” In his
free time Dick enjoys
gardening, boating and
reading. He also volunteers
with St. John’s in the
Wilderness Episcopal
Church. Dick and his wife,
Lynda, live in White Bear
Lake, MN. They have two
sons and a grandson.
Danna Vanosse
35 Years • Portland
Leslaw Czech
30 Years • Port Hope
Noah McAllister
30 Years • Syracuse
Bob Moore
30 Years • Port Hope
Gavin Brand
25 Years • Mackay
Mark Mallory
25 Years • Portland
Danna was raised
in Portland, OR and
graduated from Lake
Oswego High School.
She graduate of Linfield
College and worked for
Day Music Company
before joining ESCO in
November of 1975.Over the
last thirty five years she has
worked as a records cleck,
switchboard operator
in the radiographic
department and in quality
assurance. Today Danna
is a Quality Systems
administrator and
consideres her favorite
part of working at ESCO
to be the good people she
interacts with everyday.
Les was born in Poland.
He went to trade school to
learn how to be a mechanic
and worked as a mechanic
and framing houses before
joining ESCO Port Hope
in September of 1980. Les
started as a flogger and
worked in shakeout before
moving into his current
role as a molder. In his free
time Les enjoys fishing,
following the soccer and
hockey, and spending time
with his family. He and
his wife, Maria, live in
Fraserville, Ontario, and
have three sons: Daniel,
Jonathan and Patrick.
Noah was born in Oneida,
NY. He graduated from
Canastota High School
and headed straight to TTSyracuse in the fall of 1980.
Noah started as a rough
grinder and has worked in
visual and as a sandblaster,
straightener, welder,
FPI processor and final
inspector. Today Noah
works as a product quality
auditor. Noah’s favorite
thing about his job is the
people he works with and
the challenge of customer
demands. Noah and his
wife, Donna, have two
children, Cory and Dakota,
and live in Whitelaw, NY.
In his free time he enjoys
woodworking, hunting,
camping and spending
time with his family.
Bob was born in Killeen,
Texas. He attended college
in Centennial, Trent and
Durham before joining
ESCO Port Hope in
September of 1980. Bob
started as a flogger and
has worked in molding
and maintenance. Today
he works as a millwright
and considers “the many
friends I have made over
the years” to be the best
thing about his career at
ESCO. In his free time
Bob enjoys, computers
and electronics. He and
his wife, Nannette, have
two sons (Richard and
Mathew) and live in
Cobourg, Ontario.
Gavin Brand was born in
Mackay and graduated
from Milton Street State
High. He worked at Burns
Pie Factory before joining
ESCO Mackay (known as
Swift Engineering at the
time) as a trades assistant
and cleaner. He went on
to become a crane and
forklift operator before
moving into his current
role as a welder. He lives in
Bakers Creek and has two
children. Upon joining the
ESCO family following the
recent acquisition of Swift
Engineering, Gavin now
holds the title of ESCO
Australia’s second-longest
serving employee.
Born in Bandon, OR,
Mark earned a degree in
mechanical engineering
from Portland State
University before joining
ESCO in 1985. Since then
he has severed as the
product administrator
for mechanized forest
products, general manager
of the contruction division
and general sales manager
of ESCO International.
Mark led the team that
launched SCW, ESCO’s
successful joint venture
in China and is currently
the vice president of
North American sales.
Outside of the office, Mark
enjoys woodworking and
spending time with his
wife, Kim and their two
children, Leslie and Mark.
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
ESCO SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES
ESCO EMPLOYEES CELEBRATING 25+ YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Ron Pattit
25 Years • Syracuse
Mark Scheffler
25 Years • Bucyrus
Barry Tait
25 Years • Mackay
James Wallace
25 Years • Port Hope
Robert Bennett
20 Years • Syracuse
Avtar Cheema
20 Years • Nisku
Ron was born in
Chittenango, NY, and
graduated from Liverpool
High School. He worked
as a customer service rep
with Rockwell and served
in the US Army for 2 years
before joining ESCO as an
inside sales representative.
He went on to work in
program management and
is currently a customer
service representative,
where he enjoys the mix
of colleague and customer
interaction. When he’s not
working, Rob likes to fish,
work on his house, and
travel. Sadly Ron lost his
wife, Donna, in June of this
year following a six year
battle with cancer. She is
survived by their two sons,
Jason and Jeffery.
Mark was born in Bucyrus,
Ohio and graduated from
Wynford High School.
He originally joined
ESCO as a punch press
operator and is currently
a shear & drill operator.
Mark considers his fellow
coworkers to be one of his
favorite things about his 25
years with ESCO. When
he’s away from the plant,
Mark enjoys farming,
attending sporting events
and spending time with
his wife, Marla, and their
daughter, Morgan.
Barry was born in Ararat,
Victoria and graduated
from Ararat State High
Technical School. He
joined the ESCO family
following the acquisition of
Swift Engineering, at which
point he became ESCO
Australia’s longest serving
employee. He first started
at the Mackay facility as
a boilermaker and went
on to work as a night
shift supervisor and press
operator before taking
on his current role as a
training supervisor. Barry
considers the empowering
of employees to allow
them to make changes and
improve processes to be
his favorite thing about
working for ESCO. Barry
and his wife, Rhonda, have
six children and live in
Balnagowan.
James was born in
Cobourg, Ontario, and
graduated from CDCI
East High School. He
first joined ESCO as a
worker in shakeout, before
transitioning to flogging,
heat makeup, molding,
cores, inspection and
eventually into his current
role in the stock room of
Port Hope. When asked
what he likes best about
working at ESCO, James
cites the ongoing problem
solving and day-to-day
challenges that his job
offers. James and his wife,
Tammy, live in Hamilton
Township with their two
daughters, Kristin and
Kaitlyn. In his spare time
he enjoys relaxing with
family, following NASCAR
and working on computers.
Robert was born in
East Patterson, NJ,
and graduated from
Fayetteville Manlius High
School. He first joined
ESCO as a straightener,
and has since preformed a
variety of roles including
visual operator, sandblaster
and First Aid and Safety
team member. He is
currently a dimensional
operator. Robert enjoys
the working atmosphere
at ESCO and two of his
sister-in-laws are fellow
employees: Charlotte
Nieman and Melissa Winn.
He and his wife, Nancy,
live in Manilus and have
three children and four
grandchildren. Robert
enjoys serving as deputy
fire chief of the Manilus
Fire Department, hunting
and woodworking.
Avtar was born in India
and had worked in
agriculture and as a steel
fitter and mason before
joining the Nisku team.
He currently works
as a grinder, but has
experience in several roles
at ESCO including painter,
tumbleblast operator, and
fork lift driver. He lists
the fact that “people are
treated with respect” as
the his favorite aspect of
working for ESCO. When
away from the Nisku plant,
Avtar enjoys spending time
with his wife, Parmjit, and
their two sons, Mandeep
and Shivraj.
NOT PICTURED:
Steve Clinebell
20 Years • Covington
John Cobb
20 Years • Birmingham
Larry Pregizer
20 Years • Bucyrus
Robin Rancier
20 Years • Syracuse
Steve is a Covington native
and graduated from Scott
High School. He gained
manufacturing experience
at Litton Industries
before joining ESCO as
a welder. He has since
performed a variety of
roles including: machinist,
production coordinator,
account manager, and
attachments technical
support specialist. He is
currently a member of
ESCO’s Technical Services
Group and considers the
workplace culture and the
opportunities available to
employees to be some of
the best aspects of working
at ESCO. In his spare time,
Steve enjoys spending time
with his wife, Denah, and
their two children, as well
as working on motorcycles
and classic cars.
Born in Colquitt, GA,
John Cobb worked for a
construction dealer before
joining ESCO as a district
manager based out of
Birmingham, Alabama.
John’s favorite thing about
his 20 years with ESCO is
meeting new people and
solving any problems that
may arise in the field. He
and his wife, Marian, have
three children and six
grandchildren.
Larry was born in Swift
Current, Saskatchewan,
and held a variety of
jobs before joining the
Nisku plant, including:
machinist, donut baker,
construction worker, and
maintenance specialist
with Pacal Blades. He
currently serves as Nisku’s
maintenance manager and
considers the enthusiastic
and innovative spirit
of his coworkers to be
the greatest part about
working for ESCO Nisku.
Larry resides in Edmonton
and enjoys jigsaw puzzles,
photography and spending
time with friends and
family.
Robin Rancier was born
in Oneida and attended
Oneida High School. She
worked as a floor leader
at Hubbards Technology
before joining ESCO
Syracyse in the Injection
department. Robin is
currently an injection
operator and considers
the challenges that TT’s
complex dies present to be
one of the most satisfying
aspects of her job. Robin’s
husband, Fran Rancier,
happens to be the CCG
manufacturing manager
at Syracuse. They live in
Canastota, NY with their
son, Max. Outside of work,
Robin enjoys following
NASCAR, golfing and
spending time with her
grandchild, Braylen.
ESCO SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES
Additional Employees
celebrating THEIR ESCO
service anniversarY
EmployeeAnniversary ESCO Location
Bob Shauger
45 YEARS
Portland
Dean Wood
30 YEARS
Syracuse
Richard Milgate
30 YEARS
Syracuse
Thomas Lukoszyk
30 YEARS
Portland
Kenneth Schneider 25 YEARS
Syracuse
Warren Sendek
25 YEARS
Portland
Marlene Salay
20 YEARS
Syracuse
THE EDGE  NOVEMBER 2010
23
ESCO CORPORATION
2141 NW 25th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97210-2578
United States of America
PRESORTED STANDARD
US POSTAGE
PAID
Portland, Oregon
Permit No. 382
A heat of molten metal is poured at an ME Elecmetal steel foundry in Chile.
ME Elecmetal has been an ESCO licensee for over 50 years. See article on p. 10