Power of Industry Award Winner

Jay Phillips, Valley Iron Inc.

Jay Phillips is Processing Manager at Valley Iron Inc. in Fresno, Calif. From 2002 through 2012, he also served as Operations Manager. In his current position, Jay is responsible for the day-to-day sales and operations of all plate processing. He manages and oversees the oxy-fuel, plasma, and water jet cutting equipment, including maintenance, compliance, and facility safety.

Jay’s interest in metal fabrication and manufacturing began in high school when he was in the Regional Occupational Welding Program and worked part-time at Paso Robles Welding.

When he began college at Fresno State, Jay began working part-time at Valley Iron, a business established in 1958 which has grown to be one of the largest independent family-owned metal service centers in northern and central California. Valley Iron offers a diverse inventory and has the capability to process flat rolled products in carbon, stainless, and aluminum.

Jay has been an active member of both the FMA and NBT boards since 2016 and has served in many capacities to the benefit of both boards during his tenure.

His focus on service extends beyond the operations in Fresno, Vacaville, Oroville and into the communities they serve, supporting the local high school robotics teams, contributing to projects at California State University, Fresno State, and several area junior colleges. Valley Iron also supports many community organizations. Jay enjoys volunteering for Boy Scout Troop 392 and offers the welding merit badge to scouts. He also provides shop tours to youths interested in the metal fabrication and manufacturing trades.

Jay stated, “It has truly been a pleasure to serve and a joy to contribute to the NBT Foundation. During my first term on the NBT board, Ed Youdell presented the President’s Challenge, which was to personally contribute a financial donation to the NBT Foundation. My wife and I believed in the metal manufacturing industry and the opportunities provided by the Foundation. After all, manufacturing and the steel business proved to be a successful and rewarding career for myself. The next year, I asked the owners of my company, Valley Iron Inc., to match our contribution and they agreed to follow suit.  My wife and I have also served NBT annually by evaluating scholarships for students who are interested in a career in the metal fabrication and manufacturing industry.  We have enjoyed serving and contributing to the foundation that provides opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs in the industry.”

Jay Phillips has been nominated for the Power of Industry award in honor of his contributions to advancing the metals manufacturing industry through his long-term involvement with FMA, NBT, and Valley Iron.

Impact on Industry Award Winner

Peddinghaus Corporation

Peddinghaus Corporation has been serving the metalworking industry for over 110 years, beginning in 1903 when Paul F. Peddinghaus founded the company in Gevelsberg, Germany. The company started with 23 employees producing products like drop-forged anvils and hammers. Today the company has headquarters in Bradley, Ill., operations in the U.S., Germany, and Spain, and employs 200 workers worldwide.

Peddinghaus has pioneered many “firsts” in the structural steel industry, including tandem drill and saw systems, automatic coping systems, plate processing systems, and CNC layout marking systems. Peddinghaus continues {delete extra space}to develop the world’s leading CNC machinery by investing in a world class team of engineers.

Even though Peddinghaus is a modern, mid-sized corporation, they never forget that they are a family company. Peddinghaus has more than just a business culture, they have a family culture that starts with the commitment of the skilled craftsmen who build their machines and ends with customers all over the {delete extra space} world.

Peddinghaus’ recognition of the need for a skilled workforce has led to the company’s involvement in the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and its foundation Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT). Peddinghaus is the long-standing active company member of FMA since joining the association in 1970. Beginning in 2013, Lyle Menke, CSO of Peddinghaus at the time, spent many years as a dedicated board member to FMA, culminating in his service as the FMA Board Chair from 2017 to 2018.

Peddinghaus recognizes that the skilled craftsmen who build their machines need to be nurtured and recruited, and to that end, has been a staunch supporter of NBT programs. To help attract the next generation of manufacturers, the company directly supports the summer manufacturing camp program to showcase welding careers to future potential manufacturers.

Peddinghaus Corporation has been nominated for the Impact on Industry award for their dedication to the steel industry and their continued involvement with both FMA and NBT. The company’s dedication to world class enhancements in the industry and the future workforce touches the lives of those in the manufacturing industry and beyond. 

Future of Industry Award Winner

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) has a storied history that began in 1957 with the establishment of Manatee Junior College, whose primary mission was to provide college training for young people and adults. Today, SCF serves 11,000 college credit students annually and an additional 14,000 participants attend professional development and personal enrichment classes each year. SCF consistently provides high-quality instruction, as demonstrated by SCF graduates’ proven success in careers and performance at the university level.

As a Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT) summer manufacturing camp host since 2021, SCF in Bradenton, Fla. has hosted a total of 13 camps focusing on STEM topics specifically designed for middle and high school students. Middle and high school campers learn to use 3D printers, laser cutters, robots, drones, and virtual reality software to dive into innovation and showcase entrepreneurial ideas. SCF states they are located in the middle of the greatest manufacturers in Florida. SCF leverages their relationships with industry partners to ensure the camps strive to proudly and boldly introduce middle and high school students to manufacturing careers through industry tours, guest speakers, and hands-on / high-tech summer camps. 

Deshjuana Bagley, Director of the SCF Coding Academy, has been instrumental in the success of SCF’s summer manufacturing camps. When speaking about the SCF Coding Academy Desh states, “The Academy will offer premier hands-on instruction, training and mentoring resulting in a highly skilled, innovative and creative workforce prepared to meet the dynamic technical needs of the industry.”

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota has been nominated for the Future of Industry award for their commitment to revealing the opportunities available in the manufacturing industry in a fun and hands-on way while fostering and leveraging their ties with industry partners to ensure the best outcome for their students.