Tool Gauge leadership – Tool Gauge

Tool Gauge Expands Leadership Team

Muriel Guilbert — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 20:19:18 +0000

We would like to welcome Kelso Pickett to the Tool Gauge leadership team. Kelso has been with Tool Gauge since 2017 as a Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector and recently moved into the role of QA Manager.

Kelso graduated from Tacoma Community College (TCC) with an Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree, focusing on math, English and computer science. After graduating and being accepted into the University of Washington, he focused his studies with every intent to land a career within the tech industry. It wasn’t until a previous employer offered him a full-time position as a Process Improvement Manager that he switched his focus from a career in the tech world to the aerospace industry.

His first foray into the aerospace industry was as an IT help desk tech. During his three years he was promoted twice serving as a junior systems administrator then to a systems administrator. After completing his AAS, Kelso spent a year dual functioning as a Process Improvement Manager and Project Manager. During this time, Kelso lead cross-company teams responsible for developing Boeing 777X ceiling supports and retention system from the concept stage through initial qualification testing and the conceptualization, prototyping, and testing of several latch designs for aircraft interiors.

Enter Tool Gauge. A family member had shared an article from the Tacoma News Tribune highlighting an up-and-coming Tacoma based aerospace manufacturer that was poised for growth and expansion. With the notion of a promising future and the allure of a ten-minute commute, motivated Kelso to join the Tool Gauge family as a Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector in 2017. After a few short months, he was promoted to QA Supervisor and then QA Manager at the end of July.

As QA Manager, Kelso is most eager for the opportunity to help his team and other teams lean out workflows and improve their processes. With a belief and approach that couples systems analysis with quantification, measurement, and better utilization of the Tool Gauge ERP system, will allow the leadership team to make more informed decision and reach new heights.

In his free time (or what little is left of it), Kelso enjoys playing videogames and dedicates a fair amount of time to motorsports, specifically stage rally. He’s worked as a volunteer for Olympus Rally for about six years and have served on the planning committee for three. Earlier this year, he switched his routine and branched out as a competitor and purchased a 1999 Subaru Impresa that he’s built into a rallycross car. Catch him on the track at his next event in November or volunteer to be on his team!

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Facility Expansion Update – Summer 2019

Muriel Guilbert — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 18:23:01 +0000

Summer is just around the corner and our aerospace manufacturing facility expansion project has made some major headway since our Spring update.

In early March, Washington Patriot Construction lifted and placed 55 tilt walls within three days to set the outer perimeter for the main manufacturing facility in Phase 1. Structural steel was delivered soon after and placed to support the roof and roofing components which were installed throughout March to late April.

While the construction crew built the roof, interior finishes were simultaneously installed including rough-in piping and power for the new HVAC, sprinkler and electrical systems. Restrooms, a research and development room, mechanical, electrical and IT rooms were also built throughout April and May.

As of mid-June, current construction activities include an infiltration trench and storm water structure installations, framing, drywall and insulation – among other projects. Mapping for machine relocation is also currently underway. Washington Patriot Construction superintendent Greg Gran met with Tool Gauge Leadership and plastic division managers to chat about logistics of machine placements, plumbing, and electrical systems as equipment relocation starts in early August.

We look forward to the following expansion project milestones from June to July as we get closer to completing Phase 1 of construction:

• Roof flashings and gutters

• Injection molder rack rough-in

• Exterior Paint

• Dock leveler install

• Storefront installation

• Bridge crane installation

• Equipment relocation and startup

• Asphalt prep and pave for employee and customer parking

• Irrigation installation systems

• Site furnishings installation

Projected finish date of Phase 1 construction for early September with Phase 2 right around the corner. Phase 2 of the expansion project includes demolition of our current plastics facility to build out our paint room, QA lab, training and lunchroom, employee lockers and restrooms, offices and facility entrance/lobby.

Construction is estimated to be completed late 2019 and will feature a customer lobby with the history of Tool Gauge in a storyboard format, two conference rooms, six offices, 14 work spaces, employee locker area, lunchroom and training area. Other important expansion details include:

• An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• Expansion of our plastics press size range
• Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once the expansion project is completed, we expect to create over 100 new jobs spanning over the next five years within the Tacoma-Pierce County region. The grant from Governor Inslee’s Strategic Reserve Fund will assist in the training of new employees and advance the skills of 50 incumbent employees. Employee opportunities are on our career page and will include full-time, apprenticeship and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly and engineering areas.

To follow the Tool Gauge expansion project progress, visit out live WorkZone Cam or on our social media channels.

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Debbie Lee to speak at EDB Annual Meeting

admin — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:07:35 +0000

Our CEO Debbie Lee will participate in a keynote panel at the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County’s Annual Meeting to be held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on March 8^th, 2018 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. She will speak specifically about aerospace manufacturing and the benefits it brings for the South Sound region’s ecosystem.

Each year at the largest economic development gathering in the South Sound, the EDB brings together hundreds of business and civic leaders from across the region to celebrate the innovative people and projects that have contributed to the South Sound’s economy. This event also celebrates the winners of this year’s Excellent 10 and Golden Shovel awards.

The panel, moderated by Tom Layson, Managing Editor of KBTC and Producer-Host of Northwest Now, also include the following prominent speakers providing their perspectives on a variety of important topics:

• Andrew Fry, Director of Industry Partnerships, Institute of Technology, University of Washington Tacoma (on technology)
• Dona Ponepinto, President & CEO, United Way of Pierce County (on social services)
• Carla Santorno, Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools (on education)

Click here to register for this event.

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See you at the PNAA Conference!

admin — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:55:25 +0000

We are pleased to announce our participation in PNAA’s 2018 Aerospace Conference to be held from February 12 to 15 at the Convention Center in Lynnwood, Wash. Entitled Leading Through Change: Managing Transformation, this must-attend four-day event hosted in the heart of the Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster gathers 600+ C-suite executives, strategic planners, business development, and other management professionals from 350+ companies from over 10 countries around the world. Every year, the forum convenes a unique cross-section of the supply chain and industry experts to address global supply chain issues, discuss the latest forecasts, and engage on the latest trends.

How to connect with us at the show

• Email Sales & Marketing Manager Jim Lee to set up an appointment and learn more about plastic and metal assemblies for aerospace OEMs and tier-one suppliers.

Click here to register for the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Tool Gauge expands leadership team

admin — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:24:06 +0000

Tool Gauge is pleased to welcome three new staff members to its leadership team.

Julia Pope joins us as our new Controller. During her 17-year career in the plastics, rubber, and mold-making industries, Julia has worked for companies as diverse as ADP and Goodyear Rubber. Her ability to understand computers, people, and processes coupled with her capacity to investigate and solve problems have been key to her success. Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration / accounting from Cal State University in San Bernardino, Calif.

Chris Kaulfuss has been promoted to Manager of Plastics Engineering after being employed with the company for two years as a Project Manager. A 20-year plastic industry veteran with a strong understanding of LEAN manufacturing, including 5S, value stream mapping, and Kaizen events, Chris has served as Senior Process Engineer and Production Manager for large projects in the commodities, automotive and aerospace industries. He holds an associate’s degree in technical design and an HR / supervisory certificate from Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash., as well as an internal auditor certificate of completion ISO 9001:2008:AS9100.

Orlando Tantico joined Tool Gauge as Manager of Quality Assurance in November 2015, responsible for ensuring internal and external product conformity as well as identifying areas for continuous product, delivery, and customer service improvements. Prior to Tool Gauge, he worked at several companies where he built his skills in quality, manufacturing, and lean principals. Before that, Orlando worked in the aerospace industry for some 20 years, including as Lean Manager for six years during which he initiated several programs resulting in elevated quality and delivery through lean assessments and implementation. Orlando has served as a mentor for a non-profit aerospace/ commercial company, guiding individuals into the workplace and transitioning back into society. He holds a Quality & Lean Certificate from The Boeing Company in Auburn, Wash., as well as Lean Certificates from Genie / Terex in Redmond, Wash. and LMI Aerospace in St. Louis, MI / Auburn, Wash. respectively.

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