page 2 may 2007 · axsys technologies. “we also plan on an extensive marketing cam-paign to let...

May 2007 Cullman Area Workforce Solutions

Topre America Corporation, located in Cullman, AL , serves theautomotive industry in the southeastern United States. In

addition to our business concerns, we strive to be first-ratecorporate citizens by active participation in advancing

economic and social progress through ethical leadership, stewardship and community-building activities to improve the

quality of life for Cullman County residents.

The following is a partial listing of theemployee benefits available at Topre

America, effective May 1, 2007.

Medical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision Insurance

Short Term Disability Insurance401(k) Savings/Retirement Plan

Life InsuranceHolidays:

Paid Vacation

Below is a listing of some of the jobsavailable at Topre America.

Press DepartmentAssembly Department

Engineering DepartmentQuality Department

Maintenance DepartmentGorika Department

Material DepartmentAdministration Department

Human Resources DepartmentSales Department

Application Process for Employment at Topre AmericaTopre America posts job listings with Alabama Career Center located on Katherine Street in Cullman,Alabama. The Career Center will take applications when we inform them of anticipated job vacancies.We also place advertisements for positions in local and regional newspapers.

Applications for employment may be obtained at the Career Center. Resumes may beemailed to Topre America at [email protected].

Topre America Corporation1580 County Road 222 Cullman, AL 35057

Skills / Education Required for Employment at Topre AmericaAll job applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Minimum

requirement of a High School Diploma or GED for all positions

Transportation CompanyDiesel Mechanics

CDL DriversAdministration

Tire Company Commercial Servicess

Tire Technicians Administration

SalesTreading Company

ProductionIndustries Accounting

Administration

OPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Locations/Opportunities also outside of Cullman

How to apply: www.mcgriffi ndustries.comHow to contact:

1-800-950-0780 or 256-739-0710By email: info@mcgriffi ndustries.com

EOE

Cullman Area Workforce Solutions May 2007

One sure benchmark used togauge a community’s prosperity andsuccess is a low unemployment rate.Citizens are gainfully employed,buying and selling goods and bol-stering the local economy. The com-munity is strengthened by the suc-cess of its businesses, and familiesare sustained by wages earned.Things are as they should be.

In this regard - and many others -Cullman County, Alabama, is pros-perous and successful. With anunemployment rate of 2.2 percent inApril 2007 according to AlabamaDevelopment Office statistics, theCullman area is better than it hasever been. The city’s economicdevelopment efforts are widelyregarded as the best in the state andrank among the best in the southeastand the entire United States.

Cullman is No. 1 in Alabama fornew and expanding industry withmany millions of dollars beinginvested each year by existing cor-porate neighbors and by recenttransplants. Representatives ofnationally known companies andmultinational corporate giants scoutthe Cullman area on an almost dailybasis, seeking to open new facili-ties.

When new companies move in,their presidents and managerspraise Cullman County for its senseof community and cite its peopleand their strong work ethic as amajor reason behind the decision tolocate here. In almost all of thesecases, once production has begunand these new facilities are fullyoperational, the Cullman Countyplants invariably begin to rise to thetop of the corporate food chain, notonly competing with but often sur-passing their sister operations inother states and across the globe.The reason usually given for thesesuccesses? The people of CullmanCounty. It is therefore no surprisethat Cullman County’s workforce isour main selling point and the jewelin our industrial recruitment crown.

So why is there a new group inCullman County dedicating itself toworkforce development? Our work-force would seem to be fully devel-oped already.

The answer is that while ourworkforce is indeed strong, themember organizations of CullmanArea Workforce Solutions, orCAWS, believe it can be stronger.The organization’s goals are to helpbuild a better workforce for today

and for the future and to foster anenvironment of cooperation thatwill better meet the needs of bothemployers and those seekingemployment.

CAWS is, above all, an industry-driven organization. It began as acollaborative effort between sevenparticipants who were chosen as adelegation to the StrategicPartnerships for a CompetitiveWorkforce Workshop inMinneapolis, Minn., last fall. Theworkshop, a joint project betweenthe U.S. Departments of Labor andEducation, dealt with the problemsfacing the industrial sector due todecreased interest in industrialfields and the onset of retirementwithin the Baby Boomer genera-tion. The seven corporate delegatesreturned to Cullman County withthe desire to expand upon the ideaspresented at the workshop and putthem to use for the betterment ofour community.

The group that has becomeknown as Cullman Area WorkforceSolutions has now grown to 28members representing 17 compa-nies and organizations includingAmerican Proteins, AxsysTechnologies, Louisiana PacificCorporation, North AlabamaFabricating, McGriff Industries,REHAU North America, SUMMATechnology, Topre AmericaCorporation, Wal-Mart DistributionCenter, Webb Wheel Products,Alabama Career Center System –Cullman, the Cullman-AreaChamber of Commerce, CullmanCounty Economic Development,Cullman City Schools, CullmanCounty Schools, CullmanEconomic Development Agency,and Wallace State College –Hanceville.

The group has set its sights on anumber of problems facingCullman County’s industries. Onemajor issue is the lack of skilledlabor available for the increasingnumber of new jobs in the area.Facilities are opening and expand-ing constantly, with only a smallpool of applicants from which tochoose.

“What we hope to do is work withstudents, parents and educators tohelp them realize the tremendouspotential for careers in the industri-al field,” said CAWS SteeringCommittee Chair Judy Bradford,Human Resources Director forAxsys technologies. “We also planon an extensive marketing cam-

paign to let the residents of CullmanCounty and the surrounding areasknow what jobs are available in thearea, what skills are needed to getthose jobs and where to get thoseskills.”

“Students don’t have to go toanother city for education or train-ing. We have programs here thatwill train them for high-paying jobswith local companies. We want tokeep our talent here.”

An obstacle closely tied to thelabor shortage is the fact that histor-ically, many area students immi-grate to larger cities such asBirmingham and Huntsville toattend four-year colleges and do notreturn.

“There’s nothing wrong with pur-suing a four-year degree,” said com-mittee Vice-Chair Dan Plank ofREHAU North America. “But foryears, parents have been telling kidsthey have to get a four-year degreeto make money and be successful.That’s not necessarily the case.Recent college grads in today’sworld can tell you that a degreedoes not guarantee a big paycheckor even a job.”

“Working in manufacturing orother industrial fields today justisn’t grunt work or mindless laboron some dirty, poorly-lit factoryfloor like it may have been 50 yearsago. Robotics and computerizedmachinery have transformed ourindustries. Manufacturing jobs arehigh technology jobs now. There areexciting and rewarding careers to behad at facilities in CullmanCounty.”

Reaching out to local studentsand parents to increase awareness ofthese jobs and training opportuni-ties is key to the group’s plan. Thegroup’s pilot project, the 2007Educator Exchange AwardsProgram, seeks to do this by helpingeducators gain an understanding ofthe workplace so that they may passon the knowledge to their students.CAWS is currently in the process ofscreening applicants - teachers,counselors and administrators fromlocal schools – who will work atlocal industries for two weeks dur-ing the summer months. The educa-tors will go through orientation andwork alongside employees of theparticipating companies, returningto their respective institutions withlesson plans and real-world experi-ences to share with their classes.

“Many teachers go straight fromcollege into a graduate educationprogram and from there into theworld of teaching. They’ve neverleft the academic world and maynever have seen the inside of a man-ufacturing facility,” Bradford said.“We want them to know firsthandwhat skills are needed in theCullman County workplace andhow rewarding a career with a localcompany can be.”

This project is funded in part by agrant awarded under the President’sCommunity-Based Job TrainingGrants, as implemented by the U.S.Department of Labor’s Employment& Training Administration.Additional funding for the 2007Educator Exchange Awards hasbeen provided by CullmanEmployment Center and the partici-pating industries.

Although the educator exchangeprogram will affect students indi-rectly, a more direct route is in theworks as well. CAWS is developinga student program that will workwithin area schools. It is aimed atreducing dropout rates, impartingreal-life experience and job huntingskills, reinforcing the need forskilled labor, and sharing the oppor-tunities and rewards availablethrough local companies.

“Our student program is modeledafter an award-winning program runby the Chattanooga Chamber ofCommerce,” said CarolineThompson of Topre America, headof the group’s Student Focus Group.“It is a fully-realized and truly phe-nomenal program that reaches stu-dents at many different grade levels.We have the full cooperation of theChattanooga Chamber in imple-menting it, and we hope ours can beequally as successful.”

Additional student, teacher andparent programs are also in devel-opment as well as programs thatwill directly target the unemployedand underemployed. Plans are in theworks to participate in local careerfairs, provide speakers for presenta-tions to civic and student groupsand the possibility of coordinatingan annual Cullman Area CareerExpo.

Part of the CAWS marketing planto reach these various groupsincludes a comprehensive website,currently under development, thatwill include job listings, companyprofiles and links to local education

and training resources.

“We believe that one of the majorproblems faced by today’s youth isthat they don’t really know where tobegin looking for a career or how togo about it,” said Rich Partain, thegroup’s Webmaster and head ofCAWS’ Marketing Focus Group.“We want the CAWS website to bea jumping-off point for local stu-dents, parents, and counselors toinvestigate local opportunities.”

“The Internet is a wonderful toolfor obtaining information, butsometimes a topic can be too broadand researching it through searchengines can be time consuming. Wewant to make finding training andjob placement in Cullman Countyeasier by being a portal for not onlyour group’s programs, but also all ofthe great training facilities and pro-grams offered by local institutions.It will also be a place for people tolearn more about local corpora-tions, their employment needs andwhat skills are needed to land a suc-cessful career with those companies… a sort of one-stop shop forcareers in Cullman County.”

Although initially geared towardmanufacturing, as stipulated bygrant funding and reinforced by theneeds of the manufacturing sectoras outlined in the StrategicPartnerships for a CompetitiveWorkforce Workshop that gaveimpetus to the group, CAWS hopesto broaden its scope to includehealthcare, retail and other localfields as the organization maturesand grows.

“We are all very excited about thepartnership and the potential ofCullman Area WorkforceSolutions,” Bradford said. “We feelit will improve the quality of life ofthose living in our community byassuring well-paid jobs and a highlyskilled workforce. At the same time,it guarantees our ability to meet theemployment demands of an ever-increasing industrial base.”

“We hope this group will becomea strong and vital part of our com-munity development efforts.”

For more information on CullmanArea Workforce Solutions or to findout how your company can becomea part of CAWS, contact KirkMancer, President of the CullmanArea Chamber of Commerce, at256-734-0454.

Just CAWS: Cullman-Area WorkforceSolutions seeks to strengthen local labor


One of the most importantaspects of developing the work-force of tomorrow is finding away to reach the workers oftomorrow. The Student ActionPlan currently being developedby Cullman Area WorkforceSolutions (CAWS) aims toreach school children of manydifferent grade levels and helpprepare them to not only seekand secure gainful employmentbut also to find financial securi-ty for the future.

According to Student FocusGroup head Caroline Thompsonof Topre America, there are anumber of problems facing stu-dents in today’s schools that theprogram will address.

“One problem is that studentsare led to believe they have tohave a four-year degree to besuccessful,” Thompson said.“That their expectations are dif-ferent than that of the workforcemarket is another issue. Studentretention and the high schooldropout rate is yet another.Finally, they are not beingtaught basic financial skills tobecome successful and they arenot hearing from local employ-ers what jobs are available intheir area.”

To address these problems,Thompson and her group havechosen to model their StudentAction Plan after an award-win-ning program implemented bythe Chattanooga (Tenn.)Chamber of Commerce, whohave offered their full support toCAWS in tailoring the programtoward Cullman County’s needs.

“What we’re seeking to do isto reinforce basic finance skills,help set realistic goals foremployment, teach studentshow to obtain good paying jobsin their area, and teach themwhat skilled labor means,”Thompson said. “TheChattanooga Chamber has awonderful program that hasbeen very successful and wehope to duplicate their success-es here in Cullman County.”

The program would beginwith eighth grade students, whowould undergo a “CareerCrunch.” This would entail stu-dents talking with professionalsin career fields in which theyare interested, learning aboutthe education and trainingrequired for each and what highschool courses would benefitthem in the coming years.

Ninth grade students, highschool freshmen, would beinvolved in a program called“Keeping It Real,” in which theygain real-world experience bymaking financial decisions for amock family. Each studentwould be assigned a career, afamily situation and a month’ssalary and would have to visitbooths representing expensessuch as car payments, insurancebills, grocery and clothes shop-ping, daycare, higher educationand second jobs. The program isdesigned to foster a sense of fis-cal responsibility and reinforcethe need to stay in school.

“Keeping It Real” is the firstpart of the Student Action Planto be implemented, as theCullman Area Chamber ofCommerce Adult LeadershipClass of 2006 – of whichThompson is a member - adopt-ed it as their class project. Thepilot session of the program washeld at Vinemont High Schoolthis spring and received verypositive feedback from volun-teers, students, teachers andobservers from local civicgroups, Thompson said.

Tenth grade students willlearn how to “Get A Job” byparticipating in this aptly namedprogram that focuses on careerreadiness and employment.Volunteers from local business-es will go into the classroomand offer students informationabout interview skills, resumeand application tips and appro-priate dress/behavior for jobinterviews.

Eleventh graders will find out“Who Wants to be aMillionaire,” which is a pro-gram that encourages students

CAWS Student Action Plan addresses problems facing local youthto plan for a secure financialfuture by focusing on credit cardmanagement, savings and finan-cial budgeting and planning.

The final part of the StudentAction Program includes bothjuniors and seniors, who willparticipate in a college andcareer fair with local membersof the business community andcollege representatives. Vendorswill set up booths and sharetheir career expertise with stu-dents, and business and educa-tion representatives will discussjob and training opportunities aswell as co-op programs andinternships.

“Not only will the information

we present in these programs behelpful, but by recruiting volun-teers from local businesses,industries, schools and careertraining centers, we will givethem an increased presence inthe schools and create a betterenvironment of cooperation thatwill hopefully benefit both thestudents and local places ofemployment,” Thompson said.

In addition to the structuredfive-grade programs, theStudent Action Plan will rein-force the industry and businesspresence by placing career-spe-cific posters in schools thatshowcase local companies andfields of study.

Cullman Area WorkforceSolutions is a not-for-profitcoalition comprised of localbusiness and industry leaders,government representatives andeducators whose goal is to builda stronger workforce and fosteran environment of cooperationbetween industry and educationthat will better meet the needs ofboth employers and those seek-ing employment

For more information onCullman Area WorkforceSolutions or to find out howyour company can become apart of CAWS, contact KirkMancer, President of theCullman Area Chamber ofCommerce, at 256-734-0454.

The Alabama StateEmployment Service, alsoknown as The CullmanEmployment Security Office,is located in The AlabamaCareer Center Cullman locatedat 1401 Katherine St NW. Theyare a division of theDepartment of IndustrialRelations whose primary roleis to operate and provide forthe public labor exchange func-tion.

According to ASES officials,this is a mechanism to assistemployers in obtaining quali-fied workers and to assist thegeneral public job seeker inobtaining gainful employment.This is accomplished electroni-cally via the Internet throughtheir website atwww.Joblink.alabama.gov.

The site affords individualsthe capability of registeringand building their resume(s)online. Users can then performjob searches and obtain thenecessary contact informationrequired to apply for jobs. Thesite also affords employers thecapability to establish anaccount online and search thesystem for qualified individu-als via their resumes. They may

input job orders directly ontothe system, or they may chooseto receive staff assisted joborder input with the amount ofemployer contact informationand method of referral bothdetermined by the employer.

The Alabama StateEmployment Service providesseveral other services such aslabor market information, hir-ing trends, a Local VeteranEmployment Representative,employer assistance withOFCCP mandatory listingrequirements, and TRA/TAAtrade adjustment assistance forqualified workers.

Other employer services pro-vided include selection, call-inand referral of qualified indi-viduals who are registered intheir data system on all jobslisted with their office. Officespace complete with phone,fax, copier and Internet accessis available to employers whomay need or desire to utilizetheir facilities for the interviewand selection process. AlabamaState Employment Service willschedule appointmentsdates/times if the employerchooses to interview at theirlocation.

The agency is a partner withlocal employer groups, publicagencies and WallaceCommunity College in work-force development. There is aconcerted effort by all partnersto try and meet the challengesand needs of our community inlight of continued economicgrowth coupled with recordlow unemployment numbers.The most recent unemploy-ment rate for Cullman Countywas 2.2%.

The Alabama StateEmployment Service providesa host of other services to thepublic and employer communi-ty. Some are available directlyon their web site, while otherservices are provided on a as-needed basis to employers andjob seekers alike. Informationon these services may beobtained in handout form at theKatherine Street office, wherethere are many other resourcematerials available. The agencyalso provides Internet accessand has staff available to assistwith registration into theAlabama JobLink data system(AJL) to anyone needing ordesiring such assistance.

Alabama State Employment Service:a full-service agency for job seekers, employers


“This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE-0501328.”*Data received from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-

2007 edition and In Demand, Careers in Advanced Manufacturing, Issue 3.

AUT Automotive manufacturing

Technology

www.carcam.org

Weldingand other technical courses.

*

May 2007 Cullman Area Workforce Solutions Cullman Area Workforce Solutions May 2007 Page 7

Axsys Technologies, Inc., Precision Machined Products, also known as Speedring, LLC, has been producing hardware for the space and defense markets since the beginning of space fl ight. The company, originally located in Detroit, MI., was founded in 1947 by James R. Schiller. In 1967 Mr. Schiller moved his Corporate Offi ces, along with a sizeable manufacturing operation to Cullman, Alabama. Since that time Axsys has been involved in some of the most visible, high national priority space and defense programs of the last 50 years. These include programs such as Polaris, Peacekeeper, Trident, Minuteman, Apollo, Defense Support Program, Galileo, Space Shuttle and (more recently) LANTIRN, F/A-22, IFTS, M1A2, Bradley, Mars Explorer, Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) and several National Missile Defense programs. We were recently chosen to provide hardware to three very high profi le programs – NPOESS, JWST and Global Hawk. NPOESS (National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System) is the next generation of civil and military weather satellites. JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) is the follow-on mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Our newest project, Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), will have us manufacturing the housings and mirrors for the electro-optical reconnaissance system. In addition to the products mentioned above, Axsys also manufactures the following products: guidance components for the navigation systems for ICBM upgrades; structural components for commercial and defense satellites; gimbals and housings for targeting and reconnaissance pods (both fi xed wing

and rotary aircraft); exotic material components for nuclear reactors; heatsinks for thermal stability on critical fi ghter/attack aircraft avionics and fl at metal mirrors for target acquisition on main battle tanks and light armored vehicles.

Axsys PMP has a history of promoting from within the existing workforce whenever possible. This promotes a sense of continuity and enables the company to take advantage of the tremendous talent existing in our workforce. Axsys PMP employees are intimately involved in the operations of our company. Our entire Employee Continuous Improvement Program (ECIP) is centered on employee involvement in the day-to-day operation of their job. Perhaps our most signifi cant community involvement project is our company and employee participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Campaign. Alabama Technology Network and the Business Council of Alabama named Axsys Technologies PMP the Alabama Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year in 2004.

SKILLS / EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYMENT AT AXSYS PMPListed below are the minimal requirements for most Axsys PMP positions. Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or one to two years related work experience and/or training; or equivalent of education and experience.

Language Skills:• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions

and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and

fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:• Ability to defi ne problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret

an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills and Abilities:• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance.

(Required for manufacturing positions).• Analytical Thinking – Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and

problems.• Dependability – Being reliable, responsible and dependable, and fulfi lling obligations.• Initiative – A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.• Innovation – Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related

problems.

Some jobs at Axsys require more skills/education than those listed above and a few require less. However, most jobs do require a minimum of the above.

Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Positions:• Machinist, Machine Operator, Toolmaker• Quality Assurance Specialist, Quality Assurance Technician,

Sr. Quality Assurance Technician, Calibration Lab Technician, Quality Auditor, Quality Assistant, Quality Engineer, Quality Supervisor, Director of Quality Assurance

• General Chemical Technician, Clean Room Technician, Plasma Spray Technician, Chemical Finishing Technician, Sr. Chemical/Special Process Technician, Chemist

• Precision Lap Hand, Sr. Precision Lap Hand, Deburr Hand, Sr. Deburr Hand, Assembler, Precision Assembly Technician

• Optical Technician, Sr. Optical Technician, Optics Manager• Shipping & Receiving Administrator, Tool Crib Attendant,

Production Control Coordinator, Production Control Expeditor, Bill of Material Administrator, Material Control Coordinator, Production Planner, Director of Production Control

• General Maintenance Technician, Preventative Maintenance Technician, Electronic Technician, Maintenance Electrician, Equipment Maintenance Technician, Mechanical Machine Technician, Maintenance Manager

• Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, NC Programmer, Sr. NC Programmer, NC Programming Manager, Engineering Assistant, Job Estimator, Estimating Manager

• Program Manager, Project Engineer, ECIP Technician, Director of Advanced Manufacturing

• Manufacturing Supervisor, Director of General Machining, Director of Specialty Products and Engineering

Administrative and Clerical Support Positions:• Accounting Clerk, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Manager,

Subcontract Administrator, Information Systems Manager, PC Network Support Technician, Controller

• Sales Coordinator, Customer Support Administrator, Sr. Customer Support Administrator, Marketing Applications Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Customer Support Manager

• Safety & Environmental Technician, Safety & Environmental Coordinator, Human Resources Administrator, Director of Human Resources General Manager

Quality Assurance Techinician (1 position available)

• Hourly Position• Wage Band - $10.64 - $20.69 (based on experience)• Wallace Machine Shop Graduates preferred (but not required)

Education and/or ExperienceAssoxiate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school;or six months to one year related experience and/or training’ or equivalentcombination or education and experience.

Chemical Finishing Technician(1 position available)

• Hourly Position• Wage Band - $10.64 - $20.69 (based on experience)• High School Diploma or GED

Education and/or ExperienceHigh School Diploma or GED; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Staff Accountant(1 position available)

• Salaried Position• Starting Salary - $28,000 - $35,000 Annually (based on experience)• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university

Education and/or ExperienceBachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Axsys Technologies’ Precision Machined Products facilityis located on Highway 157 in Cullman.

Base Wages for a typical hourly manufacturing employee $ 42,220.00 Benefi ts Package (including Health Insurance, $ 19,170.00 Life and Disability Insurance, Vacations, Holidays, Retirement, etc.) Total Compensation Package $ 61,390.00

Remember, this is a typical base compensation amount for the Axsys manufacturing workforce. It does not include any overtime pay that an employee may work nor does it include mandated benefi ts (social security taxes, worker’s compensation, state/federal unemployment compensation taxes, etc.) that all employers are required by law to provide. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EMPLOYMENT AT AXSYS PMP

Axsys Technologies PMP lists virtually all job openings with the Alabama Career Center located on Katherine Street in Cullman, Alabama. We also place advertisements for positions in local and regional newspapers. Applications for employment may be obtained at the Career Center or resumes may be emailed to Axsys at [email protected] or sent via regular mail to Axsys Technologies, Inc. – Human Resources Department – PO Box 1588 – Cullman, AL 35056.

Axsys PMP currently employees over 220 full-time employees in a variety of positions aimed at supporting our customer commitments.Typical Axsys hourly manufacturing employee total compensation package is:

Machinists(10 to 15 positions available)


Education and/or Experience Associate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Duties and Responsibilities of Job:• Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifi cations or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of fi nished work piece, sequence of operations and setup requirements.• Measures, makes and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or work piece as guides for subsequent machining.• Selects, aligns and secures holding fi xtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders and shapers.• Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant fl ow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input

or edit computerized machine control media.• Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.• Verifi es, by initials, conformance of fi nished work piece to specifi cations.• Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.• Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly.• Verifi es dimensions and alignment of assembly.• Draws sketches of tooling for part to be fabricated.• Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.

May 2007 Cullman Area Workforce Solutions Cullman Area Workforce Solutions May 2007

Axsys Technologies, Inc., Precision Machined Products, also known as Speedring, LLC, has been producing hardware for the space and defense markets since the beginning of space fl ight. The company, originally located in Detroit, MI., was founded in 1947 by James R. Schiller. In 1967 Mr. Schiller moved his Corporate Offi ces, along with a sizeable manufacturing operation to Cullman, Alabama. Since that time Axsys has been involved in some of the most visible, high national priority space and defense programs of the last 50 years. These include programs such as Polaris, Peacekeeper, Trident, Minuteman, Apollo, Defense Support Program, Galileo, Space Shuttle and (more recently) LANTIRN, F/A-22, IFTS, M1A2, Bradley, Mars Explorer, Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) and several National Missile Defense programs. We were recently chosen to provide hardware to three very high profi le programs – NPOESS, JWST and Global Hawk. NPOESS (National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System) is the next generation of civil and military weather satellites. JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) is the follow-on mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Our newest project, Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), will have us manufacturing the housings and mirrors for the electro-optical reconnaissance system. In addition to the products mentioned above, Axsys also manufactures the following products: guidance components for the navigation systems for ICBM upgrades; structural components for commercial and defense satellites; gimbals and housings for targeting and reconnaissance pods (both fi xed wing

and rotary aircraft); exotic material components for nuclear reactors; heatsinks for thermal stability on critical fi ghter/attack aircraft avionics and fl at metal mirrors for target acquisition on main battle tanks and light armored vehicles.

Axsys PMP has a history of promoting from within the existing workforce whenever possible. This promotes a sense of continuity and enables the company to take advantage of the tremendous talent existing in our workforce. Axsys PMP employees are intimately involved in the operations of our company. Our entire Employee Continuous Improvement Program (ECIP) is centered on employee involvement in the day-to-day operation of their job. Perhaps our most signifi cant community involvement project is our company and employee participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Campaign. Alabama Technology Network and the Business Council of Alabama named Axsys Technologies PMP the Alabama Medium-Sized Manufacturer of the Year in 2004.

SKILLS / EDUCATION REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYMENT AT AXSYS PMPListed below are the minimal requirements for most Axsys PMP positions. Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or one to two years related work experience and/or training; or equivalent of education and experience.

Language Skills:• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions

and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and

fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:• Ability to defi ne problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret

an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills and Abilities:• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance.

(Required for manufacturing positions).• Analytical Thinking – Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and

problems.• Dependability – Being reliable, responsible and dependable, and fulfi lling obligations.• Initiative – A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.• Innovation – Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related

problems.

Some jobs at Axsys require more skills/education than those listed above and a few require less. However, most jobs do require a minimum of the above.

Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Positions:• Machinist, Machine Operator, Toolmaker• Quality Assurance Specialist, Quality Assurance Technician,

Sr. Quality Assurance Technician, Calibration Lab Technician, Quality Auditor, Quality Assistant, Quality Engineer, Quality Supervisor, Director of Quality Assurance

• General Chemical Technician, Clean Room Technician, Plasma Spray Technician, Chemical Finishing Technician, Sr. Chemical/Special Process Technician, Chemist

• Precision Lap Hand, Sr. Precision Lap Hand, Deburr Hand, Sr. Deburr Hand, Assembler, Precision Assembly Technician

• Optical Technician, Sr. Optical Technician, Optics Manager• Shipping & Receiving Administrator, Tool Crib Attendant,

Production Control Coordinator, Production Control Expeditor, Bill of Material Administrator, Material Control Coordinator, Production Planner, Director of Production Control

• General Maintenance Technician, Preventative Maintenance Technician, Electronic Technician, Maintenance Electrician, Equipment Maintenance Technician, Mechanical Machine Technician, Maintenance Manager

• Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, NC Programmer, Sr. NC Programmer, NC Programming Manager, Engineering Assistant, Job Estimator, Estimating Manager

• Program Manager, Project Engineer, ECIP Technician, Director of Advanced Manufacturing

• Manufacturing Supervisor, Director of General Machining, Director of Specialty Products and Engineering

Administrative and Clerical Support Positions:• Accounting Clerk, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Manager,

Subcontract Administrator, Information Systems Manager, PC Network Support Technician, Controller

• Sales Coordinator, Customer Support Administrator, Sr. Customer Support Administrator, Marketing Applications Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Customer Support Manager

• Safety & Environmental Technician, Safety & Environmental Coordinator, Human Resources Administrator, Director of Human Resources General Manager

Quality Assurance Techinician (1 position available)


Education and/or ExperienceAssoxiate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school;or six months to one year related experience and/or training’ or equivalentcombination or education and experience.

Chemical Finishing Technician(1 position available)

• Hourly Position• Wage Band - $10.64 - $20.69 (based on experience)• High School Diploma or GED

Education and/or ExperienceHigh School Diploma or GED; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Staff Accountant(1 position available)

• Salaried Position• Starting Salary - $28,000 - $35,000 Annually (based on experience)• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university

Education and/or ExperienceBachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Axsys Technologies’ Precision Machined Products facilityis located on Highway 157 in Cullman.

Base Wages for a typical hourly manufacturing employee $ 42,220.00 Benefi ts Package (including Health Insurance, $ 19,170.00 Life and Disability Insurance, Vacations, Holidays, Retirement, etc.) Total Compensation Package $ 61,390.00

Remember, this is a typical base compensation amount for the Axsys manufacturing workforce. It does not include any overtime pay that an employee may work nor does it include mandated benefi ts (social security taxes, worker’s compensation, state/federal unemployment compensation taxes, etc.) that all employers are required by law to provide. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EMPLOYMENT AT AXSYS PMP

Axsys Technologies PMP lists virtually all job openings with the Alabama Career Center located on Katherine Street in Cullman, Alabama. We also place advertisements for positions in local and regional newspapers. Applications for employment may be obtained at the Career Center or resumes may be emailed to Axsys at [email protected] or sent via regular mail to Axsys Technologies, Inc. – Human Resources Department – PO Box 1588 – Cullman, AL 35056.

Axsys PMP currently employees over 220 full-time employees in a variety of positions aimed at supporting our customer commitments.Typical Axsys hourly manufacturing employee total compensation package is:

Machinists(10 to 15 positions available)


Education and/or Experience Associate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Duties and Responsibilities of Job:• Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifi cations or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of fi nished work piece, sequence of operations and setup requirements.• Measures, makes and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or work piece as guides for subsequent machining.• Selects, aligns and secures holding fi xtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders and shapers.• Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant fl ow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input

or edit computerized machine control media.• Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.• Verifi es, by initials, conformance of fi nished work piece to specifi cations.• Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.• Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly.• Verifi es dimensions and alignment of assembly.• Draws sketches of tooling for part to be fabricated.• Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.


HOW TO APPLY

FUTURE POSITIONS MAY INCLUDE:General Assembly: No advanced skills or degrees

Maintenance (Mechanical and Electronics): Degree or minimum 3 years experience

Machine Operators/Lead Positions: Some maintenance experience, supervisory skills,minimum 3 years experience

Material Handler/Fork Lift Drivers: Certified and Licensed

Shipping/Receiving/Packaging: No advanced skills or degrees

Resume or Application at Cash Acmewww.cashacme.com

2400 7th Ave SW • Cullman, AL 35055Phone: (256) 775-8200 • Fax: (256) 775-8124

In 1893, a young engineer named A.W. Cash was given the toughestchallenge of his career: designing valves for U.S. Navy submarines.With the unforgiving ocean as his testing “Ground”, his new valveswould require unprecedented levels of performance, reliability anddependability. He later founded the Cash Valve ManufacturingCompany, where those same standards became its foundation. Andthey remain at the heart of Cash Acme 90 years later.Cash Acme is a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry.

First started in Decatur, Illinois, Cash Acme relocated to Cullman, Alabama in 1996. Now, with the backing and focusof the Reliance Worldwide Corporation, Cash Acme is poised to take an even more prominent role in the NorthAmerican market. The resources of Reliance have made Cash Acme a stronger player in the North American marketwhile leveraging the efficiencies that now make Reliance the largest T&P and Thermostatic Valve manufacturer in theworld. The expertise on all ranges of safety valves continues on four continents and all over 12 different countries.Cash Acme is a leading supplier to wholesale distribution with production of several series of regulation valves. CashAcme also services the general plumbing and heating industry with a solid and well regarded product range includingpressure regulators, relief valves, backflow prevention devices and general plumbing, SharkBite® Push-FittingsTMand heating controls.

NAFCO is steel.NAFCO is a world-class fabricator of structural steel for:

- aggregates and materials handling systems- energy industry equipment- forest products handling equipment- general building construction- unique, client-specific steel projects

From the Carolinas to Texas, from Ohio to Florida, or fromAustralia to South America, NAFCO has met the challengeproject after project.

With a 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art shop in Cullman,Alabama, NAFCO has the capacity and the expertise to handleyour most challenging steel projects.

Although NAFCO is blessed to have the foremost facilities andequipment within our industry, our greatest asset is still the qualityand integrity of our craftsmen.

We continue to maintain diversity between long-term experiencedemployees with an average tenure of over 15 years and the eager-ness of young hires desiring to learn a true apprenticeship in man-ufacturing.

NAFCO maintains an open-shop workforce environment offeringexcellent healthcare benefits and competitive wages with opportu-nities to excel in the various disciplines and trades common in itsengineering and manufacturing operations.

We are looking for persons with EXPERIENCE in the following positions:

WeldersTackers

Grinders

Structural Steel FittersMaterial Handlers

Structural Steel Detailers

We offer competitive pay and excellent benefits:BCBS/Dental/Life Ins/STD/Vacation/Holidays/Personal

Days/401(K)/Bonus Plan/Credit Union

For application, apply in person at Alabama Career Center, 1201 Katherine St NW Cullman, AL 35055


Wal-Mart Distribution2200 Seventh Ave. SW

Cullman, AL 35055

Wal-Mart Distribution in Cullman, AL offers careers in many different fi elds and on various working schedules to meet the needs of todayʼs busy lives;

Order SelectorsLoader / Unloader

ProcessorsForklift Drivers

Full time and Part time schedules are available. Flexible schedules can be considered and customized for applicants and students.

Competitive starting wages with automatic, progression pay raises Quarterly incentive bonus payments

Comprehensive benefi t package includes; BCBS Health care insurance; Personal choice options Health Savingʼs Accounts with Company contributions Value Plan Short-term & Long Term Disability Insurance Company provided life insurance Optional life insurance and dependent life insurance Associate discounts Profi t Sharing and 401k Plans Vacation / Holiday / Personal Time off Illness Protection Benefi ts

Career advancement and transfer opportunity available

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Applications can be done on-line at www.wal-mart.com or at our hiring center at our distribution center at the address listed above.

Career Opportunities

OUR PEOPLEMAKE THE DIFFERENCE

WAL-MART LOGISTICS

WAL-MART DISTRIBUTION2200 7th St SW

Cullman, AL 35055256-739-0763

ACYTWorking Together

...to build our future

Yutaka is a subsidiary of Honda Motors LTD in Japan with locations worldwide. With 2 locations in North America: Ohio providing torque converters for automatic transmissions and exhaust systems and South Carolina producing ATV and motorcycle parts. Yutaka is the exclusive provider of catalytic and torque converters for Honda.

Our 3rd North American location in *CULLMAN, ALABAMA* is accepting resumes for the following positions:AccountingPurchasingQuality AssuranceMaintenanceEngineeringSupervisors in production and material handling

Hiring for production positions will begin later this summer.Skills in stamping, brazing, welding, machining, assembly and robotics are helpful.•In house training•Prefer to advance associates from within.

Starting productions in Jan. 2008

Send Resume to:Yutaka TechP.O. Box 2340

Cullman, AL 35056Learn more at:

www.yutakatech.com

BUILD WITH US.™

As an employer LP offers:- open-door policy- competitive compensation- benefits - passionate commitment to safety

Working everydayto be a respected, profitable and growing manufacturer of building products.

How do you get the best building products?

FROM THE BEST PEOPLE

BUILD WITH US AND EXPERIENCE THE LP CULTURE

Explore job opportunities on the web.

Visit us at www.lpcorp.com

Rehau is a tier I Automotive supplier producing polymer exterior trim through the process of injection molding and paint finishing.

We are interested in filling the following position: Maintenance Technician

The following experience is necessary: • Programmable Logic Controllers • Variable Frequency and DC Drives

• Robotic Electrical Troubleshooting • Troubleshooting skills in Electrical and Automation systems

• Welding and mechanical skills a plus • Two-year Maintenance Technology, Electrical or Electronics Degree or equivalent experience • Boiler, chiller, and building maintenance experience preferred • Must be available for all shifts

If you are interested and have these qualifications, forward your resume to: REHAU Inc. P.O. Box 550 Cullman, AL 35056-0550

EOE/M/F/D/V.


HANCEVILLE, Ala.— Anew dual enrollment program atWallace State CommunityCollege in Hanceville is off to arunning start.

Wallace State’s Fast Track toCollege Academy was initiatedthis year with 42 participantsrepresenting each of theCullman County schools andCullman High School. TheAcademy provides an opportu-nity for high school juniors andseniors to complete their highschool education while earningpostsecondary credit towardcertifications and degrees. Itoperates from a centralizedlocation on the third floor of theJames C. Bailey Center.

“This has been an exceptionalyear,” said Dr. Dale Palmer, whodirects the new program atWallace State.

Funded by a five-year,$800,000 grant from the U.S.Department of Education Officeof Vocational and AdultEducation, the Wallace Stateprogram is one of only eightcommunity colleges and fourcharter schools nationwide to begranted funding for this model.

The Fast Track program issimilar to dual enrollment inthat it offers simultaneous highschool and college credit.Because it is funded by a grant,however, this program is offeredfree of charge—books are paidfor by the grant and students aregiven college scholarships tocover tuition.

It differs from traditional dualenrollment in two other impor-tant ways---it is targeted to spe-cific career or degree tracks,and students take all their class-es on campus, though theirhome school still gets credit fortheir attendance.

Fast Track Academy optionsinclude nursing, pharmacy tech-nology, criminal justice, indus-trial maintenance and automo-tive manufacturing technology.

"Through this program we arebuilding on our existing EarlyCollege Enrollment programand meeting the demands oflocal workforce development,"said WSC President Dr. VickiHawsey.

Kyle Rice, a 16-year-old jun-ior at Cold Springs HighSchool, is one of the participat-ing students. He was at WallaceState taking part in the SummerHonors program when helearned about Fast Track.

“It took a little while to getused to the idea of being atWallace State all day instead ofschool, but I like it,” he said.

Rice is attending the criminaljustice academy and is currentlyenrolled in Criminal Justice100, Biology 103, Speech 106and Math 098 in addition tohigh school history and English.

“What I like about Fast Trackis that it will help me get a jobeasier and get my degree fin-ished faster,” Rice said.

Depending on their track,some Fast Track students willbegin taking classes in theirchosen field right away—likeRice is doing in criminal justice.

Industrial maintenance andautomotive manufacturingcourses also start this year.Students in the pharmacy techtrack will have their first trackcourses next semester. Those innursing won’t actually takenursing classes till after comple-tion of high school but they’ll beready to enter the program then.

Upon high school graduation,most Fast Track students willhave two semesters left, whichmeans they will have completedthe equivalent of one full year ofcollege in the two years theyspent finishing high school. TheRN nursing students will havecompleted their prerequisites inthat time with five semesters ofnursing classes remaining.

WSC Fast Track on the right trackThe group is currently

enrolled in most of the samebasic non-track classes includ-ing biology, U.S. History,English, and a math equal totheir placement level.

“They take classes in cohorts,”said Palmer. Groups of at leastfive or six are together in tradi-tional college classes on cam-pus. Other classes are made upsolely of Fast Track students andoffered at our home base on the

third floor.”

Palmer coordinates their WSCschedules with their respectivehigh schools to ensure they getcredit toward the Alabama HighSchool Diploma as well astoward their chosen career pro-gram.

In addition to completing highschool graduation requirementsand earning a high school diplo-ma, students will be encouraged

to complete the associate degreerequirements of their selectedtrack. They will also be offeredcareer development activitiesleading to job placement ortransfer to a four-year college oruniversity.

For more information aboutthe Fast Track to CollegeAcademy, contact Dr. DalePalmer at 256-352-8050 or viaemail at [email protected].

Career Link, a provider of jobtraining services, is located inthe Alabama Career Center inCullman. Their mission is tohelp people who are permanent-ly laid off from their jobs due toclosures or downsizing and/oradults and youth who qualifybased on income and familysize.

Training through Career Linkcan be provided either throughenrollment into ClassroomTraining with approved trainingproviders such as Wallace StateCollege or on the job with areabusinesses through OJT (On-the-Job-Training).

If you are interested inClassroom Training, visitwww.northalabamaskills.org tosee what is available. Currently,Career Link has clients in pro-grams such as Associate DegreeNursing, Welding, Drafting,Machinist, Truck Driving,Diagnostic Imaging and more.

Career Link representativesare also available to help thosewho may be looking for a joband need assistance upgradingtheir resumes. Career Linkhosts have bi-weekly work-shops as well that cover areassuch as interview techniques,study skills, and networking.

STEM Camps Offeredat Wallace State

Thirty high school students in grades 10-12 will be participat-ing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)camps this summer at Wallace State in Hanceville.

STEM Camp is 10 days of action packed, hands-on, FUNlearning. Industry representatives will speak about their posi-tions in the high tech world of automotive manufacturing.Participants will learn about career opportunities at nearbysuppliers as well as manufacturers such as Honda, Mercedes,Toyota, Hyundai, and International Diesel.

Tours of Topre, Rehau, and one of Alabama’s four assemblyplants will be a part of the experience. Students will see man-ufacturing robots, a 25,000-ton press, and other high techequipment in action as it is used to create an automobile.

The instructors at Wallace State Community College willguide participants through the creation of their own robot.This robot will artificially hear, see, feel, and obey student’scommands. At the end of the camp, each will participate in acompetition against their classmates to see which robot isbest. Participants who complete the camp will receive a $100stipend and daily mileage reimbursement from home to thecamp.

For more information contact Joe Hendrix at 256-352-8154 orby email at [email protected].

Orientation regarding allavailable services is held eachweek on Thursday at 1:00 PM atthe Alabama Career Center in

Cullman. For more informa-tion, contact Career Link at734-2004, extension 207.

Cullman’s Career Link providesjob training for local youth, adults


American Proteins, Inc.

American Proteins, Inc.1170 CO RD 508

Hanceville, Alabama 35077(256) 352-9821

The API Hanceville Division team members performand accomplish the following responsibilities:

Process operatorsMaintenance techniciansWeldersElectriciansWater Treatment plant operatorsBoiler operatorsTractor Trailer mechanics

DriversScalehouse operators\Warehouse attendantsLaboratory technicians ( Feed andWater)OfficeManagement and Supervisor trainees

For expert processing of poultry by-products, you can’t find a more experienced ortechnologically innovative leader than American Proteins. From our start in 1949 as a smallfamily business, we have grown to become the international resource for processing alliedpoultry products.

Today, American Proteins operates the largest poultry protein and lipids conversion operationin the world, annually producing more than 750,000 tons of pet food and feed grade poultryprotein meal, pet food and feed grade poultry fat and feather meal at three locations.

As our company stands at the brink of an exciting new era of growth and global reach, we holdfast to the principles that have shaped our history of success – a combination of foresight,unmatched quality and commitment to customer service.

American Proteins acquired the Hanceville Division in 1979 and have positions where members are approaching retirement.

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