•  Genzink Steel employee, Lou Rodriquez, placed in the top 25 at Art Prize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

    Lou’s sculpture called “A Dragon for Jonas” stands 8’ tall and weighs approximately 1,500 pounds.  Lou used scrap     steel from Genzink Steel production. You can read more about Lou’s sculpture in the Holland Sentinel article, or in     the mlive.com article.

•  Genzink Steel helps to deliver fresh water to St. Joseph, Michigan.

     In the Spring of 2011 St Joseph will be installing a pair of new water intakes nearly a mile out into Lake      Michigan. Tim Ederer, Genzink Steel’s Division Manager Miscellaneous Structural Fabrication, said that one of the      challenges was forming and welding the transitions together. The Genzink Steel team successfully took on the      challenge and fabricated the intakes to plan and delivered them on time. The intakes are made of 5/8” carbon      plate. The intake openings are over 11 feet in diameter and transition down to approximately 8 feet. Each intake      stands 13 feet tall and weighs approximately 12,000 lbs.     

•  Genzink Steel to attend Marinette Marine Industry Day, for building the Littoral Combat Ship, in      Escanaba, Michigan.

Marinette Marine partnering with Lockheed Martin invited Genzink Steel to participate in the Industry Day to review the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships requirements.  Marinette  Marine and Lockheed Martin have been awarded the contract from the Department of Defense to build 10 of the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships.  The Littoral Combat Ship is a high-speed, shallow-draft, reconfigurable warship.  The Industry Day will allow Genzink Steel’s team to meet with Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin representatives and learn more about their requirements.  Genzink Steel has the capability to provide: steel processing, fabricating, welding, machining and painting.

•  Genzink Steel in training for coatings certification.

As a continuous improvement to the Genzink Steel’s Finish Department, Sue Holland, Quality & Finish Department Manager, and Joe Fryar, Finish Department Supervisor, have started training on SSPC (Steel Structures Painting Council), Fundamentals of Protective Coating C1. This training will enable Genzink Steel to be certified in Surface Preparation and Coating.  These improvements will open doors for additional fabrications that require this certification and provide the finishing expertise that our customers have come to expect.  We look forward to the challenges and benefits that these training efforts will bring to the Finish Department.

•  Genzink Steel’s, Andy Spears, to speak on the panel for the Government Contracting Seminar in      Kalamazoo, Michigan – March 10, 2011.

Andy Spears has been invited to speak on the panel for the local area Michigan PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) Seminar on Thursday March 10.  Andy Spears has successfully developed Genzink Steel’s Federal Government Contracting business.  He will share about Genzink Steel’s experience with Government Contracting, how we achieved success, as well as what works and what pitfalls to avoid.  This Seminar will take place at the Fetzer Center on the campus of Western Michigan University on March 10, 2011, from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/4ajzzgb. The cost is FREE, but registration is required.

•  Genzink Steel , Holland Michigan, is featured as the cover story in the March issue of MiBiz.

Genzink Steel , Holland Michigan, is featured as the Cover Story in the March addition of MiBiz. Click here to read the full article. Genzink Steel is a quality metal fabricator, providing metal fabrication, steel fabrication and welding services to customers all over the United States.

•  Genzink Steel is exhibiting at the Michigan Defense Industrial Base Expo.

Join us at the 2nd Annual Michigan Industrial Base Expo on May 18-19, 2011.  The Expo is at the Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center located in Warren, Michigan.  Due to the success of last years Expo this event has been moved to Macomb Community College’s bigger venue to accommodate additional exhibitors.  Expo Admission is open only to U.S. Government employees or members of NDIA or Women In Defense (WID). If you are not currently a member of NDIA and would like to attend, please visit the Membership section to process your NDIA membership prior to the Expo.

For more information email michiganexpo@ndia-mich.org

Genzink Steel fabricates highly engineered, heavy plate weldments and develops manufacturing and quality systems tailored to each customer’s needs.

•  Genzink Steel wins a national safety award at the FMA/CNA 2011 Safety Award Contest.

Congratulations! Genzink Steel in Holland, MI has won a Safety Award of Merit in the FMA/CNA 2011 Safety Award Contest sponsored by FMA and CNA Insurance. FMA/CNA Safety Awards are based on your company’s 2010 safety results compared to the most recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) incidence rate for your NAICS code. The Safety Award of Merit is awarded to companies posting an injury and illness incidence rate that is better than the national rate by 10% or more. The award recognizes your company for its commitment to providing a safe work environment for its most valuable asset – the employees.

Camron Short (Safety Committee Member) and Sue Holland (Safety Manager) accepted the award at a reception and dinner on May 10th as part of the FMA safety conference 2011 at Amada America, Inc in Schaumburg Il.

•  BuhlerPrince Inc. presents Genzink Steel with Platinum Supplier Award.

On Tuesday May 10 Bob Long, Purchasing Contracting Machine for BuhlerPrince Inc., presented Genzink Steel with their 2010 Platinum Supplier Award.  This quality award is presented to BuhlerPrince’s top quality suppliers.  Genzink Steel achieved this with outstanding performance in the three key areas of Quality Parts, On Time Delivery and Accounting Accuracy.

On Wednesday May 11 John Maxson, COO of Genzink Steel, presented the BuhlerPrince Platinum Supplier Award to the entire Genzink Steel Team at their monthly employee update.

•  Bob Angeli, Operation Manager, represents Genzink Steel at Michigan’s capital.

After a plant visit to Genzink Steel’s Holland facilities, Michigan Representative, Bob Genetski, invited Genzink Steel to present information about the shortage of skilled welders and machinists to the House Study Group on Education Reform.  On July 13, Bob Angeli, Operations Manager of Genzink Steel, presented a manufacturing employer’s view of the fading technical education opportunities in today’s secondary education system for the non-college bound student.  

The Michigan Merit Curriculum enacted in 2008 increases the academic requirements of secondary students to the point where career training, including introductory skilled trades training, is being squeezed out of students’ time availability. Manufacturers fear that more and more students who are not college bound will become alienated by the higher academic requirements and lack of time for career training opportunities.  Many of the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements for graduation far exceed or are simply not relevant to manufacturing jobs including many high skill, and high paying, jobs such as welders and machinists.

Bob also presented the actual earnings of various age groups and demographic groups within Genzink Steel to the lawmakers to emphasize the high earning potential of these jobs.  Based on a recent Pew Research Institute study, the wages earned by skilled technical manufacturing positions at Genzink Steel equal the median wages of college graduates in the 25-34 year old demographic.  It appeared that, on the average, the lawmakers were not aware of the high wages that skilled positions command in today’s market as many eyebrows were raised by this data.

We were pleased to be invited to participate in the political process and hope that our input supports the need for continuing technical education in our secondary school systems.

Bob Angeli

Operations Manager

•  Genzink Steel to exhibit at NDIA Fall Business Event, Sept 19-21 at Troy Marriott.

Genzink Steel will be exhibiting at the NDIA Fall Business Event, September 19-21 at the Troy Marriott. This year’s event will be themed Homeland to Hometown “The Next 10 Years”. Defense Industry leaders will be speaking on the areas of Cyber Security, Homeland Defense, and Homeland Security, amongst many other topics. Come on out to see our exhibit, and take away knowledge from key speakers. There will also be a piece of the World Trade Towers on display at his event in honor of the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11, “Never Forget”.

Link to event details and registration – www.ndia-mich.org

Genzink Steel will be in Booth M5, in the Mediterranean Room.

•  Genzink Steel participates in Labor Day Truck Parade.

On Labor Day Genzink Steel participated in the annual Labor Day Truck Parade that honors and celebrates the local workforce.  Genzink Steel’s Wing Liner enclosed truck was captained by, Jeff Genzink, third generation of the Genzink family business.  Genzink Steel was accompanied by more than 50 other trucks of the Holland-Zeeland community.  The parade route began on the east end of Main Street in Zeeland making its way to downtown Holland and rendezvoused at the Holland Civic Center parking lot.  Families enjoyed the opportunity to see the trucks up close while enjoying a hotdog and treats from Hudsonville Ice Cream.  Jeff Genzink said, “The crowd was very enthusiastic to the blowing truck horns.”

•  Genzink Steel, Holland Michigan, celebrates the production of 250th coal mining shuttle car.  

Genzink Steel christened its 250th steel coal shuttle car for JOY Mining Machinery. The electric powered shuttle car is designed to carry coal out of the mines for delivery to rail cars. Genzink Steel celebrated this event with the christening and company wide picnic. Click here to read the featured article from the Grand Rapids Press Business section.

•  Genzink Steel fabricator, Lou Rodriquez, makes second sculpture for Art Prize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Genzink Steel, Holland Michigan, is usually known for its steel burnout processing and custom heavy plate fabrication. However, Lou Rodriguez one of the fabricators of Genzink Steel is also an artist. Lou’s second entry into Art Prize is a steel sculpture titled “Butterflies for Noelia”. Lou was inspired to create this piece by his 4 year old daughter, Noelia, who loves butterflies. One of the butterflies is perched on top of a big daisy and the other is at the ground level where admirers can touch and even sit on it for pictures. Lou’s sculpture stands 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide, weighs nearly 1000 pounds and is fabricated from both carbon and stainless steel. Lou’s entry from last year was titled “A Dragon for Jonas”. To read more about Lou and his Art Prize sculpture click here.  

•  Genzink employees participate in annual Day of Caring.

The Day of Caring is the biggest single day of volunteerism in Ottawa County and is organized by The United Way. The Genzink Team had a beautiful day to give back to the community. Our Project was located at park 12 of the Historic Ottawa Beach.  We transplanted beach grass along the boardwalk to prevent erosion and removed old fencing. It was a great feeling seeing the difference a few people could make in a short period of time. Thank you for all who donated their time after a full day of work.  

The original Day of Caring was established to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism, increase the awareness of local human service agencies and schools, and demonstrate what people working together for the community’s good can accomplish. For more information on how to give, advocate, or volunteer to advance the common good in Ottawa County, visit www.ottawaunitedway.org.

•  Joe Fryar earns AWS certification of welding supervisors.

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Joe Fryar, 9 year employee of Genzink Steel, recently completed the requirements of the American Welding Society specifications for the Certification of Welding Supervisors (CWS).  Congratulations Joe. Click here to view the certificate.

•  Nate Haney earns AWS certification to be a welding inspector.

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Genzink Steel would like to congratulate Nate Haney, on completing the requirements of AWS QC1 standards, and becoming an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Nate got his career started at Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center, and then graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Welding Engineering Technology. Nate has been a great asset to the Genzink Steel team! Click here for Nate’s CTC write up.

•  Genzink Steel’s New Robotic Weld Cell Automates Manufacturing Process.

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Genzink Steel of Holland, Michigan, is pleased to announce the purchase of a new robotic welding cell.  The primary feature of the cell is a Fanuc Arcmate 120iC-10L Robotic Welding Arm.   Located in front of the arm is a custom designed head and tail stock drop-center positioner, which has a 5000 pound capacity and an auxiliary axis in the center of the drop.  The cell is equipped with twin Lincoln Powerwave 655Rs, wire feeders and water cooled welding guns which provide the flexibility of using a wide variety of sizes and types of welding wires for different weldments or on the same weldment.  This flexibility provides speed, efficiency, reduction of consumables and change over time. Click here to read more about Genzink Steel’s new robotic welding cell in the Holland Sentinel.

John Maxson, Chief Operating Officer of Genzink Steel, said “ Our strategy continues to emphasize and focus on supplying repetitive welded products for our valued customers across the U.S.  The addition of this robotic welder enables Genzink Steel to improve the consistency, productivity and flexibility of fabricated parts. Couple this benefit with the constant challenge of finding qualified skilled welders, we believe the addition of robotic welding allows us to increase our production capabilities at the high quality level our customers have come to expect from us.  We believe that this robot cell will be the first of many”.

Genzink Steel partners with a local company.

Genzink Steel partnered with JR Automation also of Holland, Michigan to build the new robotic welding cell.  Genzink Steel and JR Automation have worked together for decades so we are very aware of their talent, attention to detail and experience.  It seemed only natural to work together on this project.  JR Automation met our specifications, understood our needs, and designed, built and recently installed the robotic welding cell.  We were very pleased with JR Automation’s engineering and service.   

Genzink Steel has built its reputation on fabricating highly engineered, heavy plate weldments and developing manufacturing and quality systems tailored to each customer’s needs.  Genzink Steel manufacturers parts for the Mining, Oil & Gas, Defense, Rail, Earth Moving, Energy and Food & Drug Industries.  

•  Genzink Steel increases machining capabilities with new VMC.

Genzink Steel purchased a Milltronics RH 33 CNC Vertical Machining Center to increase our capabilities and capacity in machining. Our new VMC has 78 x 33 x 28” in travel, 8,000 RPM spindle, 2 speed 35/25 horsepower, and is fully enclosed. This machine has oversize saddles and heavy duty box ways for added rigidity. This machining center will allow us to machine our pre-fabricated and post fabricated welded parts for the Mining, Oil & Gas, Rail and other industries we serve. Genzink Steel continues to look at ways to improve our internal capabilities, keep pace with technology and service the changing needs of our customers.

•  Genzink Steel increases machining capabilities with new The State of Michigan recognizes Sue Rollins and Todd Johnson, MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) Graduates at Michigan Safety Conference.

Sue Rollins, Quality and Safety Manager, and Todd Johnson, Prep Manager, received their certificate for graduating the MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) at the Michigan Safety Conference, in Grand Rapids.  MTI offers participants the necessary knowledge and hands-on training for safety and health solutions and is the premier provider of high-quality workplace safety and health training.  “Employers today recognize that workplace injuries are preventable-and that one of the best investments they can make is to provide a safe and healthy work environment.” Said Marth Yoder, MIOSHA Director.  Sue and Todd received their certificate for completing General Industry Safety and Health - Level One. To see the FMA Safety Award press release click here.

Ed Youdell - FMA President

Todd Johnson - Genzink Steel

Sue Rollins - Genzink Steel

Franklin Maccotan - CNA Business Insurance Carrier

•  Rich Zmuda and Genzink Steel Received Recognition from ESGR of the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense.  

Rich Zmuda, Shipping and Receiving Manager of Genzink Steel, received an award from Richard Burn, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Military Outreach Representative of Michigan, recognizing Genzink Steel as a Patriotic Employer.  Rich and Genzink Steel received this award because of their commitment to one of their employees who is a member of the US National Guard.  Thimothy Skirnski, material handler for Genzink Steel, was hired in May of 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in August and is currently at Fort Jackson as a member of a team that is training and outfitting Navy Sailors deploying with the Army.  Rich told Thimothy that he hated to have him leave, but appreciated what he was doing to serve our country.  Rich assured Thimothy that his job would be waiting for him when he came back.   

ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives; recognizing outstanding employer support; increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies; resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members; and acting as the employers' principal advocate within DoD. To see the ESGR award click here.

Rich Zmuda - Genzink Steel

Richard Burn - ESGR

•  Todd Johnson earns AWS certification to be a Certified Welding Inspector.

Genzink Steel would like to congratulate Todd Johnson, on completing the requirements of AWS QC1 standards, and becoming an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Todd has worked for Genzink Steel for 11 years, and is our Prep Manager. Todd has been a huge asset to the company throughout his tenure, and now has added another accomplishment to his capabilities with his CWI certification. Congratulations Todd! Genzink Steel now has 4 CWI’s on staff, and 3 Degreed Weld Engineers.

•  Genzink Steel makes Fabricator Magazine's Top 40.

The FABRICATOR announced their top 40 Fabricators for 2012.  Genzink Steel placed 11th on the list for top 40 fabricators.  The top 40 fabricators is determined by the sales revenue for the year.  The FABRICATOR is  North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry.

•  Genzink Steel receives Safety Award of Excellence from Archway Risk Control for 2012.

Genzink Steel was an Archway Risk Control Award Winner for 2012, due to our commitment to safety and our overall performance through accident prevention, documented systems, partnership with the carrier and cost containment. This is awarded to companies who meet the following criteria:

 Risk control assessment score is 80% or higher within two years of start date.

 Loss ratio is less than 150% in each of the last two complete policy periods.

 Loss fund frequency rate ranks among the top 90% of Archway members for lowest score.

 Frequency rate change for most recent year is no more than the member’s 3 year average.

Todd Johnson, Prep Manager, Sue Rollins, Quality Manager, and Bob Angeli, Operations Manager receive the award and are the drivers of Genzink Steel’s continued commitment to safety. Congratulations to all Genzink Steel personnel on a great achievement!

•  Employee service award presented at November monthly update.

Greg Guajado, Yvonne Ankerman, and Russ Schafer were recognized at the November company-wide update meeting for their contribution and service to the success of Genzink Steel. John Maxson, Chief Operations Officer, presented Greg Guajado with his 10 year service award, Yvonne with her 5 year service award, and Russ with his 25 year service award. Congratulations to Greg, Yvonne, and Russ.

•  Genzink Steel increases sawing capabilities and capacity with new high speed saw.

Genzink Steel purchased a new Vertical High Speed Bandsaw, VT140HM-60, to increase our capabilities and capacity in our sawing department.  The new Saw has state of the art technology, including a spray mist coolant system, laser light system for precision cutting, powered conveyors and a robust cutting stop for speed and accuracy. The capacity is 22” Horizontal x 27” Vertical @ 90 Degree, with Miter capabilities. Genzink Steel continues to look at new equipment that will improve our capabilities, keep pace with technology, and service the changing needs of our customers!  

•  Employee service award presented at December monthly update.

Kdeb Kheng, Jonathan Randol, and Joe Fryar were recognized at the December company-wide update meeting for their contribution and service to the success of Genzink Steel. John Maxson presented Kdeb Kheng and Jonathan Randol with their 5 year service awards, and Joe Fryar with his 10 year service award. Congratulations to Kdeb, Jonathan, and Joe!