Andrew Nichols, Electralloy Summer Sales Intern, shares more of his observations and thoughts on his experience:

During the past few weeks of my internship, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the various operational facets of Wrought Products, Siverly, and Rouseville—the value added shops for Electralloy. The experience was eye-opening and provided me with a comprehensive understanding of shop operations, quality management, accounting processes, and the dynamic work culture at different Electralloy locations.

I learned how integrated and intricate the operation at Wrought Products is, from the initial receiving of raw ingot, billet, and bar to final shipping. On the shop floor, I received hand-on learning by operating complex machinery—including saws, straighteners, peelers, and lathes—and gained insight into their unique operational challenges. For example, I saw how ultrasonic testing (UT) is performed both in-house and by external vendors to ensure the integrity of steel bars. I also learned how critical precise scheduling is for saw cuts, as a small delay can ripple through the process, affecting overall lead times.

Spending time in the supervisor’s office allowed me to witness the logistical “art” of coordinating routes and orders, managing referrals, and resolving production versus sales discrepancies.

Shadowing quality, I realized how outdated paper and ERP systems create inefficiencies, and how embracing cloud solutions can save countless hours.

My brief experience with accounting taught me how streamlined and straightforward manufacturing accounting can be compared to academic theory.

Most significant was learning about the human element—the camaraderie, cross-training, and servant leadership present in places like Siverly and Rouseville, which fosters exceptional teamwork and efficiency. The unique cross-training and close-knit culture at these facilities prove that workplace atmosphere and leadership style directly impact productivity and morale.

Throughout these weeks, I primarily shadowed Matt, the shop supervisor at Wrought Products, as well as supervisors Dave and Mike. These mentors exemplified professionalism, kindness, and expertise, making my experience both educational and welcoming. They not only taught me the operational and managerial ropes but also involved me in daily tasks such as updating production boards, coordinating testing, and packaging samples for external labs. In accounting, I shadowed Derek, the CFO, who offered invaluable insights into the financial workings of a manufacturing enterprise. At Siverly, I shadowed Luke, the shop supervisor, a respected and supportive leader who demonstrated servant leadership by being present with his team on the floor. The same can be said about Paul at Rouseville.

Shoutout to all of the teams from all the shops. There are too many individuals to name, but each and every one was fun, helpful, and a master at their craft.

What surprised me most was the sheer complexity and precision required in shop operations and how easily a simple mistake, like mislabeling an ingot or losing a bar in paper files, can spiral into bigger issues.

I also learned about Electralloy’s exceptionally generous health insurance plan, which is extremely rare and highly valued by employees.

Overall, these weeks profoundly deepened my understanding of both the technical and human sides of metallurgical manufacturing, lessons that will stay with me as I progress in my career.