2024 Operations Managers Meeting

Program

Join us this fall in Rosemont, IL. Our tentative schedule is below, check back as we add more program content! 

Dust Management: OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Plan is affecting our industry more than ever. For steel wire manufacturers, complying with OSHA's NEP involves several key challenges and considerations:

  1. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Companies must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify areas where combustible dust can accumulate. Implementing effective ventilation systems, dust collection equipment, and housekeeping practices are crucial steps to mitigate risks.
  2. Training and Awareness: OSHA requires companies to train employees on the hazards of combustible dust and the proper handling of materials to prevent incidents. This includes educating workers on the signs of dust accumulation and the importance of reporting potential hazards promptly.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: Steel wire manufacturers must adhere to OSHA's standards, including those outlined in the General Duty Clause and specific regulations such as 29 CFR 1910.22, which mandates the maintenance of clean and orderly workplaces.
  4. Inspections and Enforcement: OSHA conducts targeted inspections under the NEP, focusing on industries with a history of combustible dust incidents or violations. Non-compliance can result in citations, fines, and potential disruptions to operations.

In response to OSHA's NEP, steel wire manufacturers are increasingly investing in advanced dust management technologies, enhancing training programs, and collaborating with safety experts to ensure compliance and worker safety. We’ll have a panel of lubricant manufacturers to discuss best practices and the latest technology. 

      We will hear from:

     Reginald Whitaker – Oklahoma Steel & Wire
     Brad Andrews – Condat Corporation
     Gui Brum – Traxit NA
     Michael Colvin – Aztech Lubricants by Kodiak

Technical Presentation: Joao Norona from Paramount Die will share the latest on new technology for managing your wire lines with real-time data.

OSHA’s Walkaround Rule: In April OSHA published the final Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process rule, that clarifies that the representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party; such third-party employee representative(s) may accompany the OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) on inspection tours. What does this mean for manufacturers on the ground? Come hear from an expert on how your facilities can best manage this new development.

     Is your company ready to face an OSHA inspection head-on?

     Are you confident your rights will be upheld, and the process will be fair and safe for everyone involved?

Valerie Sheaffer, a Partner at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, and a former industrial hygienist in the manufacturing sector, will break down your rights as an employer and share critical strategies to prepare for this sweeping change. With a wealth of experience advising clients on environmental and workplace safety risks, Valerie is your go-to expert for navigating this new terrain. Don’t leave your company’s future to chance—make sure you’re ready for whatever OSHA brings your way.

Plant tour: Taubensee Steel & Wire 

Founded in 1946 shortly after the end of WW II, Taubensee Steel and Wire is a fourth-generation family-owned business that specializes in a variety of products, including cold finished carbon steel bars, cold finished alloy steel bars, low carbon steel wire, and HDMB spring steel wire. From our first day in business, we have been guided by the timeless principles of trust, value, service, quality, and reliability. Taubensee Steel & Wire is committed to sustainable business practices, reducing our carbon footprint through responsible material sourcing, energy-saving strategies, and other initiatives.

Over the course of our nearly 80 years, Taubensee has expanded to manufacture in three facilities including Wheeling, IL, Bridgeview, IL, and Henderson, KY. Consistently going the extra mile for our customers, and providing fulfilling career paths for our employees has always been the cornerstone of our business philosophy.

During the tour you will see low carbon steel wire drawing and cold finished bar drawing, as well as state-of-the-art safety equipment and best practices.

Printable schedule.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024
7:00 am - 5:00 pm   Registration
10:00 am - 12:45 pm   Operations Steering Committee Meeting & Lunch
10:30 am - 12:45 pm   Environmental Affairs & Safety Subcommittee Meeting & Lunch
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm   General Session
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm   Reception & Dinner
Thursday, October 24, 2024
6:00 am - 7:30 am   Breakfast
8:00 am - 11:00 am   Off-site - Plant Tour & Lunch
12:00 pm   Stop at Airport
12:30 pm   Return to Hotel

 

The following list shows all reviewed attendees as of 12/14/2024.


Attendee Name Title  Company
Mr. Jonathan E. Anderson Sales Guy Aztech Lubricants by Kodiak
Mr. Brad Andrews Senior Market Manager Wire Drawing Condat Corporation
Bob Bender Operations, Finance Worth Steel
Kelvin Bowman Vice President of Operations Granite Falls Furnace
Tommy Briggler Production Operations Base Mill Manager Tokusen USA, Inc.
Mr. Guilherme Brum General Manager Traxit North America, LLC
Joseph Campbell Plant Manager Wire-Bond
Jason Case Director of Manufacturing Mid-South Wire Company
Dan Casper Plant Manager Worth Steel
Mr. Michael T. Colvin Director of R&D/Manufacturing Aztech Lubricants by Kodiak
Mr. Rich Cook Operations Supervisor Nucor
Mr. Jim DeGrado Sales, Purchasing Worth Steel
Mr. Marco Dell'Oro Sales Manager Mario Frigerio S.p.A.
Mr. Robert L Dennis Jr Maintenance Manager MAR-MAC Industries, Inc.
Mr James Eggleton Jr Plant Manager Beta Steel Group
Mr. Brian Enlow Production & Distribution Operations Manager MAR-MAC Industries, Inc.
Mr. Bryan Estep Plant Manager Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Gary Farr Jr Warehouse Manager Granite Falls Furnace
Vince Fazio Operations Manager Tree Island Steel
Mr Jason Giebfried Sales Engineer Paramount Die
Mr. Dal Gill Director, QA and Technical Compliance Tree Island Steel
Mr. Scott Gipson Sales Engineer Paramount Die
Mr. Matt Graham Director of Technical Services Mount Joy Wire Corporation
Isaac Green Foreman Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Mr. Mark Hall Sales Manager NA Schlatter North America Inc.
Mike Hegwer Production Process Improvement Manager Tokusen USA, Inc.
Antonio Hernandez Maintenance Manager Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Bryant Jackson Drawing Supervisor Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Mr. Eric Jensen EH&S Compliance Manager Tree Island Steel
Deric Johnson Plant Scheduler Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Mr John T Tatum Johnson III Sales Mid-South Wire Company
Nathan Kozlowski Machinery & Spare Parts Sales Morgan-Koch Corporation
Mr Michael Krueger Regional Sales Manager Traxit North America, LLC
Jort Kuipers Sales WiTechs BV
Mr. Neil C. Lowdon Key Industry Manager Chemetall/BASF
Mr. Ryan Marion Technical Sales Traxit North America, LLC
Mr. David Mayo General Manager Taubensee Steel & Wire Company
Jack Morris Operations Manager Nucor
Brian Muick Sr Vice President - GM of Operations Tri Star Metals LLC
Mr. Kevin C. Natterstad Safety Manager Sumiden Wire Products Corporation
Mr. Jose Navarrete Operations director WMC
Mr. Robert Nelson Plant Manager Sumiden Wire Products Corporation
Mr. Josh Nichols Operations Manager Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Bryan Outen Production Team Leader MAR-MAC Industries, Inc.
Ms. Heather E Outhuse Associate Director American Wire Producers Association
Mr. Nickolus R. Pigott Vice President- Stainless & Nickel Alloys Tri Star Metals LLC
Enrique Ramos Production Supervisor Worth Steel
Marco Rojas Production Manager WMC
Mr. David Roos Operations Manager Mid-South Wire Company
Mr. Stephane Ruelle Operations Manager Condat Corporation
Ms. Jeynae Saillard Meetings Manager American Wire Producers Association
Scott Santo Plant Manager Fayette Custom Wire Products
Mr. Brian D Seagle Regional Quality Control Manager HSM Solutions
Mr. Chad Selvy Maintenance Foreman Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Kevin Selvy Foreman Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Ramiro Silva Plant Manager WMC
Mr. Krish N Singh Senior Director Of Operations Tree Island Steel
Mr. Puneet Singh Corporate Engineer Sumiden Wire Products Corporation
Mr. Jeff Slater Chief Business Development Officer Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation
Ryan Snyder Director of Manufacturing Tri Star Metals LLC
Mr. Jon D. Stine General Manager Mount Joy Wire Corporation
Jeremy Swallow Plant Superintendent Leggett & Platt, Inc.
Mr. Todd Swanson General Manager Taubensee Steel & Wire Company
Mr. Steve Tucker Plant Manager - MERIT STEEL Leggett & Platt, Inc.
Javier Villafuerte Plant Manager WMC
Mr. David J. Weinand Executive Vice President Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Michael Westcott Quality Coordinator HSM Solutions
Mr. Reginald Whitaker Safety Manager Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Ms. Dana S. Wood Director of Government Relations Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP
Mr. Chance Woolsey Maintenance Foreman Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc.
Mr. Don Young Sales Agent Protec Inc.
Jerry Zito Operations/Technical Sales Manager WCJ Pilgrim Wire