People make the difference at Integrity Saw & Tool. Take Jeff Miller, for instance…
After working as a tool and die machinist for 13 years, Jeff came to IST to fill a new role: process engineer. He made the career switch because he foresaw a demand for those skills. A Fond du Lac resident, Jeff has served as process engineer at IST for the past six years.
But what does a process engineer do? And what does Jeff do when he’s not at work? Read on to learn more about one of IST’s valued team members.
What exactly do you do at IST?
“My situation here is unique. I’m the single touchpoint for all custom tooling at IST — whether it’s new or repeat orders. I work directly with the customers up front and design the tools that they’re looking for. I spec them out, let them know which coatings work well and what geometry works well.
“I’ll quote it to the customer, and if it becomes an order, I’ll design it, get it processed with our tool forms and make sure all of the CAD geometry is sized up. Once I’m all done designing the tools, I send it back to the customer for their approval. Then I’ll release it to the floor (to produce).”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I deal with all of the customers that call in, so I put out a lot of fires throughout the day — if they have issues with their tools or need new tools or need recommendations. Even if they’re using tools we didn’t make, they’ll ask, ‘What can we do to make this tool work better?’
“Then there are the days when I travel to help them on the initial run of their actual tools. Sometimes customers want someone there to guarantee they’ll work. And I want to be there to make sure they’re being used properly.”
What’s your favorite part of your job?
“It’s definitely working hands-on with the customers. At the end of the day, when you can make a tool that really works for the customer and saves them a ton of time and money, that’s rewarding.”
Do you have any nicknames (in the shop or outside of it)?
“No, I guess not. Everyone just calls me Jeff.”
Are you married? Have any kids?
“Misty is my wife. We have two sons: Tyler, 22, and Blake, 18.”
What do you do in your free time?
“I ride my Harley, hunt and fish.”
What are you passionate about?
“Golf — playing and watching. I try to get out as much as I can. On a recent weekend, I golfed 18 holes on Friday, nine on Saturday and nine on Sunday. My older son and I are in a league at Rolling Meadows.”
What is something almost nobody knows about you?
“I like going to plays at the PAC with my wife. “The Lion King” is one of my favorites. Blue Man Group was by far the best show ever. We saw that in Boston. A live performance like that is just incredible.”
What do you like best about working at IST?
“The camaraderie of everyone around here, which starts at the top with Paul (Reetz). There’s an openness here. You are encouraged to try something new, and you won’t get shunned if it doesn’t work the first time.
“We’re not too big. It’s like a family business.”
Want to tap into Jeff’s process engineering prowess? Contact Integrity Saw & Tool today!