operator

maintenance mechanic

maintenance technician

automation technician

maintenance person

JW Aluminum

120 degrees in the Summer, 20 degrees in the Winter. And that's the good part. Their new "Cell System" has the mid-level managers and supervisors pulling people in both directions. Maintenance manager would complain I didn't get enough done for him, Production Manager said the same. The trouble is, they needed me to run the machine for 90% of the shift, so yeah, some stuff didn't get done. The problem is, their new system was supposed to NOT require as many people to run the mill.

Before they took the "extra" person away, I had no trouble doing all my tasks. 

They just didn't get it. Now Trump lifted sanctions on Russia's "Aluminum Giant" Oleg Deripaska. There goes that 25-million-dollar expansion, JWA!

Also, we 'new hires' who took the Maintenance Mechanic/Operator or Electrical/Operator positions were paid $30.00 an hour. Since we then made more than the 'regular' maintenance guys, they treated me like I should know more than them, so when I asked for help, they said to me "What? You make more than I do. You should be telling me what to do."

And so too then, the 'old-school operators' really hated the new cell system, and would do things to not make it work on purpose. That meant more work for me.

JWA has serious issues. I tried going to Personnel about it but was waved off, twice. I never got to speak to anyone about the trouble I was having, except when I wasn't doing enough for my boss or the production area boss.

Most of management is great to work with. As in any work environment, there is both positive and negative.  It's totally up to you as an employee to choose the desired outcome of your work environment. The main drawback in the position, is a constant exposure to very high environmental conditions of heat which has an adverse effect on my medical condition of diabetes. mostly this is not a fault of the company, nor or my own, but rather that of circumstance of operations. Other factors of time,  personnel, urgency, etc. are part of this equation, but no singular thing is solely to blame. I am confident, in my abilities in the position I am in. However if the conditions were better I may have less of a reason to leave the position. However I have a great amount of skill sets through past experiences that just add to my adaptability, as well as an open mind to accept challenges and new experiences. The workplace promotes safety on a constant basis. I enjoy the adversity of being able to stay busy as 12 hour shifts of nothing to do would be very difficult to contend with.

JW offers a great work schedule for their corporate employees which includes weekends off. There are many departments within the corporate offices and everyone I came in contact with seemed to be friendly people who genuinely enjoyed their jobs. A typical day at work could be very demanding depending on the circumstances. The ability to multitask is a must. Communication was necessary and the company made great efforts to streamline the communication process. They are an evolving company and understood that change is necessary to stay competitive. My co-workers were amazing. They were a little hard around the edges at first but once I got to know them they had such warm hearts. I would say my co-workers were the best part of my job. The hardest part of my job waiting on others for follow up. I learned a great deal about Aluminum and the Aluminum Industry while working at JW.

The most enjoyable part of my job has been the constant learning and changing of roles and responsibilities.  I thrive on business improvements and moving the business to new levels.  The technology with today's ERP systems is both rewarding and challenging and I enjoy both faucets.  The thrill of diving into a current process along with my colleagues to find a solution that improves their work life and the companies bottom line is my definition of a successful workday. 
The company still struggles to with changing the culture but are on their way to something great. The current marketplace has thrown them a curve ball but I am confident they will do all they can to stay in the game.

The only benefit to working at this company is the pay. But don’t let that get you sucked into to dealing with all the negative. This company is constantly changing leadership because either the manager spoke against the plan or runs the plant into the ground. Managers are backed 100% and can’t do anything wrong. The target behaviors they “preach”  are only for you to follow, not them. I have seen multiple people get fired as the “fall” guy to save a managers job. The work environment is hot and nasty, but that is expected. So in closing if you want your job threatened everyday or be written up everyday, want to walk around like a sheep then this is a place for you.

My last supervisor not withstanding, the casting operator position is the most stressful production position in the company. You work with molten aluminum, so the ambient air temperature is in the 100s, and that's for a 12+ hour shift. The need for PPE is minimal when you keep your machine running like you're supposed to, but any failure with the machine is near catastrophic as it requires you to do a shut down, don your safety gear, replace the tip, clean the rolls, and do a start up. That start up puts the temperatures above 130*, and that lasts for about 30 minutes. It's a good company to work for, but the casting floor is the worst place in the company to work.

Schedule was a nightmare when it came to spending time with my family. Overtime was almost at a constant need. Management would find whatever they could to fire the employees that they didn't like. That being said, punishment was not consistent across the board for discrepancies. Team members were on edge about getting terminated over first time minor offenses. Pay did not match the demands of the job being performed (as well as risks that were associated), and raises did not occur as promised in the interview. Changes may have been made since my departure, but this was my experience during that time frame. 

The interview was pretty difficult but once they think you know what your doing they change there attitude into trying to talk you into taking the job, which they should because it’s a terrible place to work. There are a lot of good people to work with there but unfortunately management rules with a absent mind there.

going out on the work floor is excilerating. Getting a progress report from a like minded,qualified worker is limited. once safety check are made to moving and stationary equipment the day begins. relaying mechanical information between you and your co-worker is necessary to keep the machines running at the most efficient speed.The hardest part of the job is securing the machine for quality purposes and completing a startup. The most enjoyable part of the day is communication between operator to make the day and job duties efficiently happen.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Rate of pay is good , but the BS you have to deal with is not worth it

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The change in management and their idea of leadership 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Can be laid back , but there is a lot of backstabbing 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Hot and miserable in the summer and cold and miserable in the winter, while breathing in toxic dust the whole time you’re there

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Operator 1 salary reported	$24.40 per hour
Maintenance mechanic 2 salaries reported	$35.60 per hour
Maintenance technician 3 salaries reported	$36.79 per hour
Automation technician 1 salary reported	$40.03 per hour
Maintenance person 1 salary reported	$31.45 per hour

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