Global Finishing Solutions® (GFS) is a family-owned and operated company, focused on our family of exceptional employees. With this “people-first” approach, our employees have every chance to flourish. Each month, we will spotlight a different department within the company, from our manufacturing floor to our office buildings. Let’s begin!
Perhaps you have a GFS booth, or maybe you’ve seen some GFS equipment. Have you noticed the black or gray box on the side that controls the equipment? Let’s learn a little more about the team behind the build of those control panels:
Department Name: Electrical Panel Shop
Number of employees: 12
Who they are: The Electrical Panel Shop is a crew of fast-paced and dependable people. They are able to read and interpret wiring diagrams and blueprints to build a wide variety electrical panels for company equipment. A highly talented and experienced group, many members of their team have been with GFS for 15 to 30 years.
What they are known for: They build both custom and standard electrical control panels for all GFS paint booths, ovens, parts washers, air make-up units (AMUs), batch burn offs and paint kitchens for all GFS business units.
How they make a difference: Without the Electrical Panel Builders, the equipment is essentially just a big metal box. The booths would be dark, the fans wouldn’t run and the equipment would be obsolete. In fact, 65 percent of all control panels built at GFS are custom, and these folks make sure that all specs are up-to-date and code compliant. Working on the controls for only one job at a time, this allows them to work with precision to complete standard and custom jobs.
Hidden Department Fact: Most people don’t know that it’s not just circuit board wiring – there’s a lot of assembly, cutting of enclosures, conduit runs, pneumatic work, basic sheet metal work, pre-assembly and having a general idea of codes. They also are the only department on the manufacturing floor that runs on only one shift (first). Working four 10-hour shifts, they use Fridays as overtime days for extra production.
GFS Panel Shop Team Members: Meet Jim & Angie
We sat down with Jim, panel shop lead, as well as Angie, panel builder II. Both at GFS for six years, they enjoy the flexibility of the job. From flexible hours to the flexibility within the day-to-day job duties, working at GFS has allowed them to flourish. While at work, they like the variety of the clients that they build electrical panels for. When Jim’s son was born at the end of January, working at GFS allowed him to take off about eight weeks to spend time with his family. Additionally, GFS has given Angie the opportunity to grow within the company. Starting in the Light Cell, she now has worked her way up to Electrical Panel Builder II within the Panel Shop.
Thanks for all of your hard work!
