ORION'S JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER
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Ken, Orion Planner
MIKE BARSOSKI, VP OF OPERATIONS
"3D printing can be extremely beneficial to a manufacturing operation"
Technology is continually advancing and typically becomes more attainable/affordable with time. To remain relevant in the highly competitive aerospace manufacturing sector it is increasingly important that we leverage technology to become more efficient and decrease costs. This is especially true in our current environment where material and labor costs are rising at an alarming rate. With this thought in mind Orion recently made the decision to purchase its first 3D printer to support production operations!
While additive manufacturing equipment has been available for a few years now, it is not commonly used to produce aerospace parts due to the highly regulated nature of the industry and resultant costs associated with introducing change. Despite this slow start it is a certainty that 3D printing will become more prevalent in the future as the technology advances and the real-world benefits are discovered. As such, being an early adopter will allow Orion to become familiar with the technology and understand how it can be used to our advantage.
Within a few days of purchasing the equipment it became apparent that 3D printing can be extremely beneficial to a manufacturing operation. Production tooling and shop aids with complex shapes, that would be very difficult if not impossible to manufacture using traditional processes, can be designed and printed with ease. This often translates directly to increased efficiencies and higher utilization rates for production equipment. Although 3D printers are relatively slow when compared to other types of equipment, their low purchase price, hands free operation and inexpensive raw material create a high return on investment. Rough calculations suggest that the equipment paid for itself within the first week of ownership!
The next steps in our journey will be to purchase an additional 3D printer with a larger work envelope and begin to experiment with different materials. The possibilities really seem to be endless at this point as the first printer has been running virtually non-stop, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, since it was installed. The interest and excitement produced within the factory by introducing this technology has also been a morale booster. What’s next at Orion on the technology forefront? We’re not entirely sure but can’t wait to discover it!
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Abdi, Auburn Manufacturing Program Participant
ABDI
"Orion is helping me to achieve my goals and giving me more skills to take to a new job"
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Abdi is a hard worker and the most upbeat and positive person you could hope to meet. He was in Orion’s program years ago and was successful. He was working a production job where he was promoted to a lead position but was laid off due to Covid 19. Abdi returned to Orion to skill-up further and receive assistance with finding a new job. He has over 5 years of experience in production and is searching for a similar position. He enjoys repetitive tasks and remains focused all day. Abdi is proficient and open to a variety of areas within production including deburr, assembly, machine operation, and packing. He always strives to improve and increase his skills.
Abdi is seeking a full-time position in South King County that is close to a bus line or other public transportation. He will make a great addition to any company looking for a hard-working and friendly team member! Please reach out to Tamie tamie.clark@orionworks.org if you are interested in meeting Abdi or learning more.
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Attention Business Owners, HR Directors and Hiring Managers
Please mark your calendar! August 24, 7:30am
There is Strength in Partnerships, and we value our partnership with you. We rely on the relationships we've developed with local employers and business partners to be successful in providing pathways to fulfilling careers. Thank you for being our partner!
Please join us for a complimentary breakfast, some business to business networking, and a lively beginning to your day. Meet local employers and hear how they have partnered with Orion. Learn more about how we can support your business needs. Meet job candidates. Win prizes. Afterward, we will show you around our manufacturing shop so you can see first hand where and how your next potential employee is learning the skills necessary to be successful.
Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available - please contact Diane.Lyons@orionworks.org for information.
Watch your email for RSVP information coming soon.
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Tonnie, Orion Mentor, Mukilteo
MENTOR PROFILE
She learned a lot about herself while becoming a mentor.
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Tonnie started at Orion in October 2021 after a successful 10-year-long career running the inventory division at an educational facility. Because of her previous experience, even temperament, and passion for the mission, Tonnie became a mentor quickly, working with participants in Mukilteo's manufacturing program. Since January 2022, Tonnie has helped five different participants, teaching and training them in the inventory work area.
Being a newer staff member has given Tonnie a unique perspective on how she mentors participants. She has taken her recent experience learning the job, used the strategies, tricks, and tips she found helpful in executing tasks and passed them along. With her supportive and encouraging nature, Tonnie gets creative with the challenges she encounters. She truly sees the benefit of Orion's training programs – how they can help build confidence and develop new skills. Orion's programs provide a solid steppingstone leading someone to their permanent place of employment.
Tonnie commented that she learned a lot about herself while becoming a mentor. Additionally, she understands the responsibility of "walking the talk" and setting an example to all participants of how a successful employee behaves. Though being a mentor can be challenging at times, Tonnie is eager to rise to the occasion, and Orion is lucky to have a team member like her!
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Sam, Mukilteo DDA Participant
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
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Orion would like to celebrate some of the workers we support. We use support loosely as the people we will be spotlighting are loyal and hard-working individuals that bring positivity to their work and show up every work shift ready to tackle the day.
Discount for Life
One of the great rewards of working for Walmart is that when you reach 15 years of service, you get a discount for life! Well, that is just what Sam did. Sam is on the maintenance team at Walmart and has been recognized as the Employee of the Quarter two times for being an outstanding employee. Every time Orion staff check in with his supervisors, they say Sam is one of the best employee’s they have. A loyal worker, Sam arrives to work 5 days a week with a positive attitude. Sam has not even considered exploring other employment options because he is happy and enjoys his co-workers. He says his job is wonderful! What more could a person ask for but a job that makes you smile.
Sam, Congratulations on 15+ years of employment at Walmart. We are so excited you have found your place and Walmart is lucky to have you!
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Joe, Mukilteo DDA Participant
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
Sunny Disposition
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Joe started his first job at Manor Care, straight out of school. For 8 years he was a Dietary Aid. He worked independently with very minimal support but recently Joe started thinking about a change of employment. At all Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, COVID precautions are taken very seriously. These precautions were difficult for Joe. He was required to wear a gown, mask, face shield, and gloves while working and he gladly obliged to keep residents safe. However, the many steps required made Joe begin to feel burned out and he began to seek a new job in the aftermath of COVID.
Joe was interested in a position where he would be able to interact with his community. Orion recently helped Joe to find a new job, one where he can talk to customers and use his great personality to bring light and laughter to their day. Joe is a Courtesy Clerk at Safeway now, and he really loves his job greeting all the different customers that come to shop. His tasks are to bag groceries, help the cashiers to get liquor when the customer makes a request, and put go-backs on the shelves. One of his favorite tasks is helping customers take groceries to their cars. You will also sometimes see him helping with carts when asked.
If you ever meet Joe, you will know right away that he is a people person. He is funny and puts a positive and humorous twist on interactions with customers. If you see Joe at Safeway, be sure to say hello and congratulate him on his new job!
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WE HAVE TRAINING SPOTS AVAILABLE |
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Come take a tour of our training programs to find out how we can help you get the skills you need!
- Auburn Training Program tours are every Monday at 9:00am.
- Mukilteo Tours are by appointment only.
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1590 A Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002
253.661.7805
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13008 Beverly Park Rd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
425.355.1253
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