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SUMMARY KEYWORDS

Industrial Talk, Propane Education, Penn State University, Metallurgy Program, Foundry Experience, Erie Pennsylvania, Manufacturing, Safety Training, Innovative Technology, Department of Defense, Student Internships, Industrial Partners, Real-World Skills, Future Success, Community Support.

00:00

00:34

Welcome to the Industrial Talk podcast with Scott Mackenzie. Scott is a passionate industry professional dedicated to transferring cutting-edge, industry-focused innovations and trends, while highlighting the men and women who keep the world moving. So put on your hard hat, grab your work boots, and let's go! All

00:52

right, once again, welcome to Industrial Talk. Thank you very much for joining the number one Numero Uno industrial-related podcast in the universe that celebrates you, industry professionals all around the world. Once you're bold, you're brave, you dare greatly, you innovate, you collaborate, you are solving problems each and every day. That's why we celebrate you on Industrial Talk. Remember, you are the heroes in this story. As you can tell, if you're out on video, you can see I'm in a different location. I'm not broadcasting from a conference, as you can tell, I am broadcasting from Penn State University. What campus? Barron. Barrett. There you go, right there. And we are talking to the folks at Metal. That is a. It's an acronym. Metal is an acronym. It's metallurgy, metallurgical engineering, trade, apprenticeship, and learning. As you can tell, I had a tough time with the first one. And then, if you're looking out in the video too, you can see that I've got cables everywhere. It is a OSHA violation, so don't don't start pinging me and say he's got too many cables in the hot seat. Bradley White, he is with that organization, he brings to the table mad, mad, and I mean mad skills, and we're in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is an incredible place for history. So let's get cracking. So, my friend, how's that? That was impressive. I don't even have to give my name. You did it for me. Well, anyway, I got to tell you, man, that was we we tootled around Erie, Pennsylvania, and and if you have not taken the time to figure out and and be a part of just history, it it resides here. Anything with foundries, manufacturing-it's-it's all here, and it's historically-it's-it's an amazing place. Bradley was taking me around, talking about we saw everything, everything, which was great. The

02:53

industrial bowels of the city,

02:56

it is. But

02:57

it's just-it's-it's

02:58

amazing dig. I digress real quick. So today, as a part of the metal program, we were able to go to a couple of foundries. One that's both bronze and aluminum, but one was bronze specific. Anyway, we were we were they were they were melting it, they were pouring it. They were doing everything from soup to nuts. It, it, and I've got video, and it's going to be out on Industrial Talk, and it's going to be out on on my LinkedIn. It's just, it's going to be everywhere, Bradley. I'm sorry. That's fine. I was, I was absolutely stunned. I was, I was enamored. I just couldn't believe it. It's what a great opportunity for your students to go out to these locations and see it in action and and within safety, touching and feeling, doing it. You're not going to touch it. It's it's well, it's

03:56

you know it's a hands-on experience for the students. Yeah, until we get the lab up and running here on campus, we're lucky to have several industrial partners here in Erie that are very welcoming to the students, and it is hands-on. You know, the students are pouring the metal into the molds and and getting the feel of

04:17

it. So you are going to have a foundry here at this this university.

04:22

Yes, that's why I was brought on board last fall. They were kind of overwhelmed with the the process of building the lab, since I had 32 years in the industry. I did numerous project for Erie Bronze. Erie

04:36

Bronze, right here. I have a card. Go ahead.

04:38

Yeah, 32 years there, and since I know people in the industry that make components for you know foundry components, they asked me if I would be willing to come out of retirement, and I'm doing it for the kids. I'm doing it for the country.

04:56

I I got to tell you, I I've never seen anything. I mean. That's a bold vision to have a foundry here at the university. How long? How long does it take? What's your timeline on that? What? What? You've been here a year. Well,

05:13

05:41

So I and I don't mean to digress, but really the the vision of metal, the program here, and what was interesting about this program is not it's not just specific to Erie or around the Pittsburgh area. It it is it I mean it can, and there's people and and students there, but I was talking from students from California. It's really a a program that's unique, that really focuses in on on boundary work and and and so on. It

06:13

is, and and and I guess the the beginning of this really comes from a DoD now Department of War initiative to train the next generation of workers. That's where the money is coming from to build the lab, develop the program, and Penn State Baron was specifically picked to develop this program for the whole country because of Penn State Barron's relationship with local foundry industry here in Northwest Pennsylvania, the university here, the campus has enormous support from local manufacturing.

06:49

As as Erie Bronze, shout out to Erie Bronze right there. There's a card for Erie Bronze, and then of course we had Keystone Foundry, United Brass Works and Keystone Foundry, both both both were pretty cool.

07:06

Yeah, yeah, and and all the foundries here in Erie are close. We all work together. But

07:12

what's interesting that that I've come to realize and can't appreciate it, many of these foundries, and I know that that many of you out there are thinking it's big, but many of these are really very efficient, you know, processes and property that you would never know that a foundry resides in there, and they're they're producing incredible, You know products efficiently. That's what was sort of surprising to me was the fact we go and you just you go through this little door and lo and behold it opens up into a foundry. Foundry, pretty cool.

07:53

And you know Keystone, prime example. They're located in the heart of downtown Erie. They never know they were there. Perfect.

07:58

You you wouldn't.

07:59

You know, you think of foundry. Oh, it's dirty, messy stuff. You never know they're there.

08:03

Never. And and I, honestly, I was I was very surprised. Okay, let's talk a little bit about metal. We know that you got mad skills. You've got about 150 years of of foundry experience. Just kidding. Nah, he does. It's only 75. But anyway, the reason we're talking about metal, the reason we need to support you know projects and programs like this, is because I think it's strategic. I think it's imperative for the country to succeed at this, and I think that given you and others who are part of the program bring that real life example, real life experience, and and that the the world is changing. Can you take us through the thought process and how long has metal been around?

08:55

The the metal program. Yeah, let's see. We're because it's end of our. It's an acronym,

09:00

you know.

09:00

Yes, end of our metal's been around forever.

09:04

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

09:05

But the program we just we're wrapping up our first three-year contract, so we're three years in.

09:13

Wow. The first

09:14

pilot boot camps were held at University Park because they already have a functional foundry at University Park. Is is that State College? Got it. Got it. The Ivory Tower, whatever you want to call it.

09:29

Got it.

09:31

So, but the program was written by Dr. Lynch here at the Barron Campus, and the idea is we developed this program. Other schools can come to us to learn how to take the the program on board, so they can be a member school and teach us to other people across the country. So you know we have Ohio State University.

09:59

Yeah, yeah.

10:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tennessee University of Tennessee, Cal Poly's coming on board. Michigan Tech up in Houghton, Purdue University. So there's and there's more and more schools. The the funding body behind this, you know, they want to see like another 50 schools added this year. So this is this year, just this year, they want this coast to coast, available to anybody, and and you know the idea behind the program is that one, it's not going to cost. It's not just for the students. This is also a tool for manufacturers. You know, we have you have a new hire, you send this doesn't cost you anything other than the time to send them to the camp.

10:44

See that that just makes sense.

10:48

It's investing in America.

10:50

Wow. See, now see, I like that. I'm all in, and and anything that can be, and I and I think you industrial company, whoever you might be, bigwig, large balance sheet. I guarantee you, they would like to talk to you, and you should support them because they are spectacular. And that's what I got to tell you, man. I the the the reality is, as I just sort of glance, now I'm I'm here doing this stuff, but but as I interact, what really jumps out is the passion. There's this, this, and it's from the instructors on through the students, and it gets transferred. I believe that that's important.

11:33

Absolutely, you

11:34

can't be boring. You can't be. You've got to, you got to love this. You love

11:38

it. I do, and you know, I know I sound like a broken record, but the found you don't choose the foundry industry; it chooses you. I never thought I'd work in the foundry industry, and 32 years later, it was a ride. It was a blast.

11:54

You know, it's interesting. We were talking to some of the well, the owners, and and of the founders we visited today, and what jumped out at me, as long as as well as the instructors, is the level of of science, sophistication. What you have to consider to just bring to market a product that has been casted and and produced. It's it's you just can't just do it over. I mean, it's serious science.

12:27

You know, yes, it is serious science, but it's just an everyday tool. When you're when you're working in the foundry, I mean, yeah, all right, there's a lot of science behind it, but if you do this, you do that, you're going to end up with, hey, this really neat thing.

12:42

So we were at. I have to look at the because I don't want it Keystone Foundry. Did I get that right? Keystone Foundry.

12:50

Yeah.

12:51

What was what was one of the questions that I had was great, great, and and if you go out and you get to see the videos, it's pretty doggone cool, right? Again, I'm going to continue to push those videos. Anyway, the the reality is is that here it is. You're pouring. You got this stuff over to one side. It's melting. It's hot. You can hear it. You can see it. You can feel it.

13:13

You can smell it.

13:14

You can smell it. There you go. It's all senses right there. They put it in that

13:19

ladle.

13:20

Kettle. There you go.

13:21

Ladle,

13:22

ladle, and then they bring it on over and they put it in the and they're going to be putting it in forms, right? What fascinated me was I talked to the owner. I said, "Okay, so this is great. When we were done allowing the students to pour, he was back into production. Oh yeah, that was it. That was it. You're done. You're done. We're we're moving, and I don't have a problem with that. It's just how fast they can search. And then I said, "Well, how fast can you get it out the door? He said, "Yeah, two hours. I said, "Fricking two hours. Well,

13:58

they were making relatively small castings, so they're going to cool down faster. Yeah, you know, you got a 300 pound casting. That's going to take a day or two to cool down.

14:07

A day or two?

14:08

Yeah,

14:08

really. So, outside of all that, and you've been involved. What has been sort of that that aha moment? What? Why? Why are you so passionate about this?

14:20

You know, I came up through the company's machine shop originally, and it was one day I just I walked out the machine shop. I had to go up to the front office for something, and everybody was out there working. And it's like, wow, we're taking literally something from the earth, doing something with it, and making a part that goes out the door, and that was just like this is really cool. And I mentioned earlier, you know, I had a family that was in manufacturing. You know, my grandfather and father worked for Erie Forge and Steel, so you know, melting metal was not uncommon to me, and understood the process. But then again, I didn't think I'd be in the foundry in this because well, you have to go off to college and do this and do that.

15:07

Yeah, but but don't you think? And I agree with it. What's what was interesting? What another point that stood out? We're here in Erie, small community, very tight. Everybody that I've spoken to is from Erie, and has that that pedigree, that history in their family line. And so, what was interesting is I was talking to the owner, and it was like, yeah, his dad was here. Then, then his grandfather, his dad. Now that's his son, and it's just generational, generational, and it was just, and it was a, it was really an incredible. We've lost that to a certain extent.

15:50

Very true. Where, or father with father's son. I mean, you know, parents always want their children to do better.

15:57

Yeah,

15:57

and you know, I was fortunate. Unfortunately, it means all my kids moved away. They're doing better, but they're not here.

16:07

But I, but I think that more importantly, if if you take students and you bring them to these manufacturing lines and these these owners and give them the opportunity to see it in action, I think that that is a point of of inspiration for some of them. They get

16:26

it. I think it very much so. But I think you and I kind of touched on this yesterday. Is that there? There is a stigmatism that we're fighting, where you know we will post photos of our boot camps, and we'll get comments on social media. How, oh, look at Penn State Barron-they're teaching their students how to be blue-collar workers. No, we're not doing that. We're showing our engineers how stuff is made, so they can apply real-world skills when someone in industry hires them. Yeah,

17:00

I I think it's from my perspective. I think it's a it's if if we true truly desire in our country to to to be successful whatever that define it I don't care just throw it out there I think it's imperative that we inspire that next generation, and what you're doing here at Metal, and what the team is doing at Metal, and the ability and the opportunity to work in conjunction with the community to inspire, I think it's I think it's a great recipe for success.

17:35

I do. That's why I came on board. I want to see it excel, grow, and make a difference.

17:45

I I I I hear what you're saying, and and what what some of the feedback that I received from the from the site visit because I was taking the videos, I was just like, hey, this is cool. I got it. I do. I am I going to do something with it? I might post it or something, but it was more in line with me wanting to show somebody. Check this out. Look at that. Look at what they're doing. That's the extent of my conversation. But what I did get is that the students they were saying, "Did you get that? Did you? Did you? Yeah, I'd like the copy of that, and as you can't, but they were inspired. They all of a sudden see this dream that I can be a part of this. I can do something like this. Yeah. Kudos to you guys. Where do you see it going? Outside of the fact that you need to put a smelter here, and outside of the fact that they called you out of retirement or whatever that looks like, what is what does that look like? That dream.

18:48

I think as the program grows across the country and we get more people, I think they're accepting it. Bold. We we have to do this if if we're going to one continue to make stuff here. We do need to make stuff here. It's how you build wealth.

19:06

Yeah,

19:06

you know, is making stuff, and and not just for defense, just everyday stuff. To get more people excited about manufacturing again, you know, foundries aren't those dirt, dark, dirty places as you saw today.

19:26

No,

19:26

you know, when I worked at Erie Bronze, the owner said they would the only way they would own a foundry is if it didn't look like a foundry.

19:33

Yeah,

19:36

and

19:37

no, so

19:38

yeah, it was a great experience.

19:40

It is, and and again, I think it's a bold, I think it's it's a bold recipe for for future success. It it it's it's needed, you know. When I was growing up, I was in shop class. We didn't have a foundry, you know. It's but we did.

20:00

At our great, our our junior high, we had a well. Of course, she, you're an eerie. Of course, you had it. Yeah, yeah. We poured, we poured aluminum. I made a giant like 12 inch diameter quarter.

20:14

See, do you still have it?

20:18

I do.

20:18

See, see, that's cool stuff, man.

20:22

Yeah, yeah. You know, and shop class is gone. You know.

20:26

Yeah, that that's that's from my perspective disturbing. I hope it brings it back. I know that there's probably liability issues and safety, all of that stuff. I'm fine, but I just think you know. Come on.

20:37

I tell you what is exciting. Some of the schools do realize the need, and you know there is a county Votec here in Erie County. From what I understand, it's not what it once was. And one of the county high schools said enough was enough. They contracted with Hawes Machine Tool Company. Sure, you know Hawes, and they have an entire machining program in high school, where the students run the machine shop. They do all the quoting, they do all the programming, they do the machining, they do the shipping, and they do the billing. And and while I was at Erie Bronson Aluminum, I contracted them to machine simple parts for us that we needed.

21:19

Was was it Cardinal? There's a there's I I interviewed a similar high school. This is McDowell High School here in in Erie. So there's another one. I I was dazzled by the full you know circle of of engagements that that you I was dazzled.

21:39

Well, and what was really fulfilling for me, one of the students that went through that program came here, went through the materials manufacturing program under Dr. Lynch, and just graduated into manufacturing. Graduated last weekend and has a job in manufacturing. So I knew her when she was in high school. I knew her here. Brilliant girl,

22:03

come on. Okay, so we're wrapping it up, as you can tell by the music. If somebody's interested in getting a hold of some at Metal, what do they want to get a hold of you? What? How can we help them achieve their dreams? How do they get a hold of you?

22:21

I believe the website is metal.com. I'm not 100% sure. I think

22:25

it's it's not. I I had a hard time finding it. It's a big URL, so I'll have it out on Industrial Talk. What if they want to get a hold of you?

22:35

I'm on LinkedIn. Are you? I am.

22:38

We're gonna have. See, I like that. Going to have all your contact information. Yeah. Well, Bradley, you were absolutely spectacular. I am. I'm honored to know you and and be able to sort of support exactly what metal is all about. Thank you for your contribution to it. It's a it's a marvelous learning. I'm

22:57

glad I could help.

22:58

Yeah. All

22:59

right. Bradley will be out on Industrial Talk, so go out to industrialtalk.com, find out more, connect, see how you can support the program, see how you can bring the program into your area. See, it's everything, because manufacturing, everything associated with these technical programs, depend on you and your support. All right, we're going to wrap it up on the other side. Stay tuned. We will be right back.

23:24

You're listening to the Industrial Talk Podcast Network.

23:29

Hey, it's Scott Mackenzie, your industrial friend, and I want to bring your attention to a great company, Elevotec. Elevotec is transforming how businesses manage assets and operations with powerful ERP, EAM, and business intelligence solutions. They deliver streamlined processes, real ROI, and over 20 years of proven expertise. If you want technology that actually drives performance, not complexity, Elevotec has you covered. Learn more at elavotech.com. Elevotec empowering your digital transformation with clarity, expertise, and ROI. Check them out at elevotech.com. Another banger. We need to do everything within our power to be able to support programs like Metal. They're inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders. That's what they're doing. That's what we need to do. We need to continue to tell that story. That's Brad. Brad White. He's out there. I'm telling you, but there's somebody that's passionate about. Let's just say what they do. Brad just embodies that. He's an amazing, amazing professional. Loves it. And and you know when we were up there, we were tootling around Erie. That area has tremendous history, and Brad knows it. And it was great, excellent job. Kudos to Team Metal. Kudos to Brad, and for what they do, it's important. Industrial Talk is here for you. I say it all the time. We want you to succeed. You have to succeed. It's imperative that you succeed. That means you need more eyeballs. That means you need to tell your story. Industrial Talk is that platform to be able to do that. We take all of the great conversations. We're a marketing company. We're a PR company. We just and and and we have tremendous industrial chops. So you need to reach out. We need for you to succeed. At least have a conversation. Go out to industrial talk. Have a conversation with me. I don't bite. I'm always fun, and I'll geek out about whatever you have to say, and I'll-it's-it's all from the heart because I-I think it's pretty cool, and you need to do it just because things are changing so drastically, and we need to continue. We need the ability to be able to support programs and others like metal. They're doing everything they can to help that next generation. We need to do more. All right, be bold, be brave, dare greatly. All the contact information for Brad will be out on Industrial Talks. So reach out to him. All right, we still have more that it's going to be coming from metal as well as other great conversations. So, as always, stay tuned.