AWPA's Operations Managers meeting in Charleston, SC offered attendees much useful
and important information to assist them in their daily business operations.
Starting with a plant tour of GS Industries, participants were able to see firsthand the
plant's unique Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) process, and the entire operation from the initial
melting of the metal into manufacturing the final wire rod coils. Moving on to Insteel
Industries, the members viewed the hydrochloric cleaning house in action, and the
impressive nail facility manufacturing all sizes and shapes of the product.
On the second day, presentations were given on human resource topics, safety, and
technical issues. Richard Starr, Loss Control Manager at Insteel Industries, explained his
company's Safe Behavior Audit program that takes a proactive attitude toward worker
safety and health.
Turning to safety and health regulations and legislation, Neil Trautwein from the National
Association of Manufacturers briefed attendees on the status of various initiatives. He
noted that OSHA received over 7,000 comments on the proposed ergonomics rule, with
80% writing against it. However, he prophesied that it would be finalized before the
election due to phenomenal pressure from White House and labor. The business
community would most certainly follow this action with a lawsuit.
Rounding out the program was David Riggs Customer Service Metallurgist were at GS
Industries who presented a more in-depth look at the mill's manufacturing process.
Following the General Session, interested attendees hit the links for an afternoon round of
golf.Congrats to the winners: 1st place team (low net) - Stephen Jones, James Ekaits, Al
Kocenko, and Guido Ricci; longest drive (hole #11) - Richard Starr; and closest to the
pin (hole #17) - Al Kocenko.
Ops meeting attendees tour the Insteel Industries facility.
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American Wire Producers Association
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 211
Alexandria, VA 22314-1757
Tel (703) 299-4434 | Fax (703) 299-9233 | E-mail info@awpa.org | Web: www.awpa.org
