When selecting talent for manufacturing roles, grades don’t matter nearly as much as hard work and talent. A's and B's are all very well, but a willingness to learn and the hunger to improve daily can’t be taught. Becoming a great engineer isn’t about knowing everything right out of the gate, it’s about figuring it out.

In this episode, we’re joined by Cody Myers, Jon Rauner, and Mick Yrkoski of Behlen Mfg. Co. Join us as we discuss Behlen’s approach to hiring, their relationship with the wider community in Columbus, Nebraska, and their “pay-it-forward” mentality.

Behlen’s approach to development, which includes tiered meetings, profit-sharing initiatives, and partnering with local colleges, has helped them continue to grow and progress since their inception almost ninety years ago.

In this episode, find out:

• Why metal-forming and manufacturing is still an art
• Behlen has a personal connection to the community and culture of Nebraska – they value their employees as names rather than numbers
• How, at Behlen, the focus is on balancing today's tasks with long-term success, valuing sustainable decisions over immediate profits
• Why Behlen values hard work and drive over great grades and talent
• Why a pay-it-forward mentality is vital for nurturing the next generation of talent, especially with apprenticeship programs and partnerships with local colleges
• The reason maintenance teams are the ‘rockstars’ of the manufacturing world
• Three-tiered meetings allow an organization to foster alignment across different levels of the company and enhance decision-making
• The overlooked importance of culture at manufacturing firms and why people are the key
• The different opportunities in manufacturing that people don't talk about or don't see – whether that’s opportunities in HR, IT, or accountancy

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Tweetable Quotes:

• “We still view metal as an art.” - Cody Myers
• “One of our global values is continuous learning.” - Cody Myers
• “I would take a technician anytime that has drive and aspires to be better over somebody that knows the answer and doesn’t have to do the research.” - Mick Yrkoski

Links & mentions:

• Behlen Manufacturing, a steel fabrication company
• Industrial Solutions Network, a network of manufacturing technology companies providing the collective information, technology, tools and services to manufacturing communities
• Central Community College, a multi-campus community college serving a 25-county area in central Nebraska

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.