With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, one of the key components that sets Pentaflex Inc. apart from the rest is our people.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Jim Zerkle, Vice President of Operations at Pentaflex Inc. We sat down with Jim and asked him a few questions about his role at Pentaflex, what leadership means to him, and where he sees manufacturing going in the years to come.
Q: As VP of Operations at Pentaflex Inc., what are your primary focuses?
A: My primary focus is to create a culture around effort and accuracy. These 2 items alone will drive OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) and throughput along with the already established safety culture.
Q: What first interested you about a career in manufacturing?
A: I feel that manufacturing offers so many opportunities in different areas including quality, operations and program management that guarantee you the chance to excel and learn the different processes that are needed to make products that are used every day.
Q: How long have you been a part of the Pentaflex Inc. team?
A: I joined the Pentaflex team in June of 2015.
Q: How long have you been in the manufacturing industry?
A: I started my manufacturing career in 1994 after doing a tour in our military.
Q: What is one piece of technology in the metalforming industry that excites you for the future?
A: The ability to be able to do quick die change overs in the press with heavy gage material dies to support higher throughput.
Q: What do you believe sets Pentaflex Inc. apart from the competition?
A: As a privately owned business, we are able to offer a higher respect and value for our individual employees. This allows us to give precedence to a healthy home life and work balance.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you ever received about leading a team?
A: Creating a culture that people want to be a part of. Also, don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary situation.
Q: What would you say to a student who is interested in a career in manufacturing?
A: To ensure that they encompass all facets of manufacturing that is available to them. Learn to include the processing of the parts and also the different materials used including steel and plastics.
Q: How do you see your industry shifting in the coming years due to the implications of 2020 events?
A: Our industry is cyclical in nature, and I believe the industry will have a strong recovery as we journey through the current issues of 2020. I would like to see more of the next generation to consider the many opportunities that manufacturing has to offer in forms of a long lasting career.
Interested in getting to know the rest of the Pentaflex team? Give us a call to discuss your next project.