Q&A with Lee, General Manager, EVS Metal NJ
EVS Metal: How did you become interested in a career in sheet metal fabrication?
Lee: I became progressively more interested once I was already in it, to be honest. I started out working in the shipping department but grew to understand and appreciate the industry in more depth as I moved around and began to learn the ins and outs of precision fabrication from different perspectives.
EVS: How long have you been with EVS, and how long have you worked in the metal fab industry overall?
Lee: 22+ years at EVS, which is when I started my career in general.
EVS: Describe your career trajectory; did you work in different positions?
Lee: I began my career working in shipping and receiving. I have worked in various departments, including different areas of the shop floor; inside sales; purchasing; production management, sales engineering, sales management, operations management, and now, am responsible for the whole of the New Jersey metal fabrication facility.
EVS: What is your primary job function at the New Jersey facility?
Lee: I oversee the entire NJ operation, so I am ultimately responsible for most aspects of the facility, including scheduling, profitability, and management of employees as a whole.
EVS: What do you like most about your job as GM?
Lee: The challenge of efficiently running a large sheet metal fabrication shop. And while the responsibility of managing a large number of people can be demanding, I enjoy having the opportunity to do so.
EVS: What does a typical day at EVS Metal NJ look like for you?
Lee: There is no typical day in metal fabrication. There are always new problems to solve, new scheduling conflicts to resolve, employees to motivate, and customers to please.
EVS: What has been the most complex challenge you have encountered as a metal fab GM?
Lee: Managing employees. As I said, it can be very demanding, but luckily, there are many aspects that are satisfying, too.
EVS: What has been your most rewarding project at EVS Metal?
Lee: There is no single project. I am most rewarded by measurable continuous improvement as a company.
EVS: How would you describe the company culture at EVS?
Lee: We are eager to improve and to take on new challenges.
EVS: What do you look for in potential employees?
Lee: Motivation and ease of supervision. Good employees are self-motivated by a sense of pride in their work and by a desire to improve and move up the company ladder. At the same time, they have to be team players who can accept criticism and suggestions.
Lee: Are there any special processes available at EVS that are fairly unique for the industry that are of special interest to EVS’ customers or potential customers?
Lee: We are always on the cutting edge of technology, which means we offer automation in almost every area of sheet metal fabrication.
EVS: Is there anything unique about the NJ facility that sets it apart from the other three?
Lee: Automation and adaptability.
EVS: What do you see as the future of metal fabrication? What do you think EVS Metal will do to accommodate/address these things?
Lee: Automation will become even more necessary over the coming years. We are already ahead of the curve, and will need to continue to work to maintain that leadership position.
EVS Metal is an American precision sheet metal fabricator headquartered in Riverdale, NJ. Our machinists and operators utilize the latest technology to cut, bend and finish stand-alone items as well as parts for integration or assembly into more complex products. EVS Metal’s four ISO 9001:2015-certified locations comprise over 250,000 square feet of vertically-integrated manufacturing space and feature the most modern equipment available, from lasers and CNC machining centers to automated powder coating lines.
We serve a diverse customer base across North America, providing a range of services from quick-turn prototypes to high-volume production runs. Request a personalized metal fabrication quote online or call 1-888-9EVSMET to speak with a specialist today.
