Global components manufacturer is inviting entry level operators and experienced machinists to be part of its success
PEMMCO Manufacturing is growing, expanding, hiring and turning out precision original equipment parts for some of the world’s biggest brands – think GM and Boeing – all from a machine shop in Asheboro, North Carolina.
Talent is key.
PEMMCO relies on operators and machinists with mastery of computer numerical control (CNC) machinery for parts fabrication to demanding standards.
The precision machining shop competes internationally with just over 100 employees and a very simple team strategy: win business with consistent quality product and delivery…at the best price.
“Competing on a global scale, a smaller shop like us might be seen as a risk by giant corporations, so we have to win their confidence and demonstrate that we can do it,” says owner Rick Powell. “Once we win confidence, the jobs grow with us.”
A family-focused work environment, good salaries and employee profit sharing help make the formula work.
Since 2018, when Pemmco earned a North Carolina Commerce building reuse grant, the company has been adding staff and is currently hiring both entry level operators and experienced machinists.
Randolph County has proven to be a great location for PEMMCO. Powell launched PEMMCO in 2006, when he purchased another machining business. As a Virginia native and mechanical engineer with Indiana-based Navistar, Powell wanted to return to the Southeast. He found a welcoming business environment in Randolph County that included support to land the $250,000 building reuse grant.
“There’s a lot of help here for small business,” said Powell. “When we were talking about an expansion, Kevin Franklin at Randolph County Economic Development Corporation said, ‘Hey did you know about this grant?’ It came with a 70-page grant application and the EDC was on top of it all. Our involvement was about 15 minutes!”
PEMMCO has given back, too. The company is a founding member of Randolph County’s unique and innovative high school apprenticeship program that’s recruited some motivated young employees to PEMMCO. Even offering school tours of the machine shop has helped make a local talent connection.
“We’ve been having middle school field trips for a while,” said Powell. “One day, I was walking around the plant and talking with an employee who said, ‘I don’t know if you remember me, but I came on a tour with my school and when I saw what you were doing, I wanted to work with you.’ That really meant a lot to me.”
Powell says the county has a good base of talent, but the company still must reach outside to find applicants, especially after the pandemic, with lots of companies hiring and workers dealing with the uncertainty that comes with reopening.
Powell’s hiring strategy is to continue being a family-focused workplace that involves the workers in the success and a very stable work environment, thanks to a diverse and balanced customer base. When automotive orders dropped off in 2020, the company made up for it with its steady aerospace work and a big increase in its lawn and garden equipment sector.
“We’ve not had any layoffs,” said Powell, “even during the pandemic.”
JOBS AT PEMMCO