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Precision Plus October 2015 Education Update

Michael Reader

During the month of October, 2015, students from two local high schools visited Precision Plus in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to tour the facility and learn about careers in manufacturing. Mark Beilman,  Director of Education and Training, organized the events.  Beilman also visited an intermediate school (grades 4-8) during their career fair, to share the manufacturing message.

On Thursday, October 8th, Precision Plus welcomed Gateway Technical College’s Alternative High School, a creation of the Walworth County Educational Consortium in partnership with Gateway Technical College and local high schools. Allison Ender, Teacher of Senior Skills, and Derek D’Auria of the Walworth County Economic Development Center led the group of six students.

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Students and teachers first listened to Mark Beilman’s presentation on the company, the processes and the products manufactured at Precision Plus He also addressed the group about career possibilities at the company and the industry. Later, Beilman along with Tom Lankford, Production Manager, and Steve Dues, Tooling Engineer, led the students on a tour of the plant..

On October 12, Mark Beilman attended a Career Fair at the McNeel Intermediate School in Beloit, Wisconsin. He and Lindsay Healless, Career Advocate for Beloit Schools, talked to students during their lunch breaks not only about manufacturing, but also about the importance of education for succeeding in life. The students were then given an opportunity to visit the Precision Plus table and ask questions about CNC machining, manufacturing, and the benefit of getting a good education.

On October 15, 2015, students and teachers of Whitewater High School in Whitewater, Wisconsin came through Precision Plus for a presentation and tour, similar to the one given earlier in the month.

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Precision Plus continues its initiatives to bring technology to classrooms and schools to see manufacturing first hand.

For more information, please contact Mark Beilman via email, or by calling 262-743-1700.

Precision Plus of Elkhorn, WI Celebrates MFG DAY with an Open House for the Community on October 8, 2015

Michael Reader

We want to extend a sincere “Thank You!” to everyone who helped make Precision Plus’ (PPI) 2015 Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) Open House a success!

In all, there were forty-two guests who participated in the event on Thursday, October 8, 2015–members of our community that included educators, students, business partners, and the public at large.

The evening event, which began at 5:00 pm and concluded at 7:30 pm, centered on the manufacturing process as it is practiced at Precision Plus

Mike Reader, President and CEO of Precision Plus kicked off the evening by introducing the team, and sharing his thoughts about manufacturing. He pointed out the marked shift the industry has made over the years from a “dark, dirty and dangerous” environment, to clean, high tech industry surroundings that offer rewarding, high-paying careers to individuals who can combine their applied knowledge of STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), with the practical know-how of how things get done.

Following, several team members spoke about some of the different aspects of the operation:

  • Bill Wells, Sales and Engineering Manager, addressed the quoting and purchasing aspect of the business;
  • Rachel Cates, CAD Drafting, Engineering & Quality Assurance Support Specialist, talked about the design process, and featured a 3D design of a component;
  • Steve Dues, Application Engineer, explained how the CAM software works, and shared a video that takes a part from a 3D print design, through the CAM software to the CNC machine;
  • Terry Mumper, Manufacturing Engineer, talked about the Tornos machines, and the importance of math for designing CAMs;
  • Tom Lankford, Production Manager, explained how to optimally schedule production on different machines, and talked about the benefits to start “getting your hands dirty early in shop classes,” in order to become successful in a machining career;
  • Dale Wittlieff, Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement, talked about how quality fits into “everything” that PPI does, and explained the specifics.
  • Mark Beilman, Director of Education and Training, spoke about PPI’s education outreach, and showed the “Millennials Video” made by Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce.

Following the presentations, guests took tours of the facility, had refreshments and took home a key chain souvenir, a scaled replica of the component featured by Rachel Cates in the 3D design and by Steve Dues in the video.

We look forward to MFG DAY 2016!

Thank you, Mr. Butters: Letters from Delavan Darien High School Students

Michael Reader

On May 21, 2014, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus visited Delavan Darien High School to address Project Lead The Way students on the skills companies are looking for in new hires. These included critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as soft skills. Butters also made a presentation on the inventor and PartMaker software as it is used at Precision Plus Brad Pearson, an intern at the company came along to tell the students about his own experience at Precision Plus Following the presentation, Butters met one-on-one with the students to share some of the soft skills and strategies necessary for having a successful first job interview.

This presentation followed a meeting that Butters and Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus had with Delavan Darien High School educators and staff on May 15, 2014. Reader and Butters addressed the above-referenced “new hire” skills, which are sought after by manufacturers hiring around the country, as well as the important role that a solid background in Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) plays in this equation.

Shortly after the meeting with the students, Barry Butters received several letters from the students:

“Thank you so much Mr. Butters for making time for me and my peers to practice on when the time actually comes when we have to go through the actual processes of being interviewed…” Read this letter

“I was really nervous, but you were very friendly and I appreciate your time.” Read this letter

“Thanks for spending time to help me with my interview skills. I appreciate the advice.” Read this letter

“You pointed out a few things that can help me in the future, thanks.” Read this letter

“Thank you for taking your busy work schedule to interviewing me and trying to improve my skills…” Read this letter

Thank you students: Amy, Dylan, Kole, Tyler and Cristina!

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO at Precision Plus To Speak at Two Upcoming Conferences

Michael Reader

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO at Precision Plus has been invited to speak at two conferences. 

On Monday, April 7th at INFOSEC WORLD in Orlando, Florida, Lemmermann will examine four famous information technology breach incidents to point out the missed signs, how the breach was ultimately discovered, the damage from the breach, and the lessons that can be learned to avoid similar attacks.  The presentation entitled “Autopsy Report: Famous IT Security Breaches; What Were the Signs and How They Could Have Been Prevented,” will take place from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, Lemmermann will address attendees of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, during their 68th Annual Conference, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Lemmermann’s presentation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. and it is entitled, “Security Your Information Assets.”