MONROE - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, spent time in Monroe on Wednesday after accepting an invitation to tour Orchid International.
The hour-long meeting including a demonstration of various types of equipment within the facility. Pocan also spoke to company representatives regarding the issues the business faces in recruiting young people with some skill at an entry level.
Keith Cornacchia, vice president of sales and marketing, outlined the work done by the company since it purchased the building along 21st Street West in 2004.
"Oil and gas - those are our key industries," Cornacchia said. "We're always looking for more talent we can grow and foster in that area."
The company creates metal stampings, assemblies, lamination stampings and die cast products to different companies in wind energy, automotive, electric motor and other industries throughout North America.
Cornacchia said needs are changing and workforce development grows as parts become larger. Pocan noted other representatives who identify the need for apprenticeships and training but conclude the year by allocating spending to other programs.
Orchid produces different vehicles, like the Chevrolet Spark, a fuel-efficient car designed and built by GM Korea. They also create laminations for generators in Briggs-Stratton equipment, Cornacchia said, which is a gasoline engine manufacturing company based out of Wauwatosa. Orchid serves 20 to 30 companies.
Donned in a suit coat and safety glasses, Pocan trekked past the various machines meant to shape or cut metal into a number of different parts eventually to be used in different vehicles or in everyday equipment.
Large moving pieces cut out "E" and "I" shapes as wheels turned and employees pulled metal from different machines or sent sparks flying as they worked. Rotor cores created from an original 19,000-pound roll of metal and stators lined boxes and shelves. A furnace capable of reaching 1,600 degrees is used to complete the process of annealing, which is highly heated metal cooled slowly in order to remove internal stresses and strengthen the steel.
Accompanied by Steve Meier, who specializes in Orchid sales for strategic markets, Pocan viewed the process of cutting out gear-like metal pieces and the die casting done in a smaller room, away from the heavy metal stamping.
"With what we do, steel is everything," Meier said as Pocan learned more about the die process.
Pocan visited areas within his district during a break from Congress to gauge public opinions and connect with constituents. He visited Monroe after spending time in Beloit on Wednesday morning.
Cornacchia highlighted recent work for Iowa-based Amjet Turbine Services LLC. The company was hired to help create a hydro, or water, turbine. He added that Orchid has also been creating parts for aerospace power generation systems. The company has plans for future expansion over time.
The hour-long meeting including a demonstration of various types of equipment within the facility. Pocan also spoke to company representatives regarding the issues the business faces in recruiting young people with some skill at an entry level.
Keith Cornacchia, vice president of sales and marketing, outlined the work done by the company since it purchased the building along 21st Street West in 2004.
"Oil and gas - those are our key industries," Cornacchia said. "We're always looking for more talent we can grow and foster in that area."
The company creates metal stampings, assemblies, lamination stampings and die cast products to different companies in wind energy, automotive, electric motor and other industries throughout North America.
Cornacchia said needs are changing and workforce development grows as parts become larger. Pocan noted other representatives who identify the need for apprenticeships and training but conclude the year by allocating spending to other programs.
Orchid produces different vehicles, like the Chevrolet Spark, a fuel-efficient car designed and built by GM Korea. They also create laminations for generators in Briggs-Stratton equipment, Cornacchia said, which is a gasoline engine manufacturing company based out of Wauwatosa. Orchid serves 20 to 30 companies.
Donned in a suit coat and safety glasses, Pocan trekked past the various machines meant to shape or cut metal into a number of different parts eventually to be used in different vehicles or in everyday equipment.
Large moving pieces cut out "E" and "I" shapes as wheels turned and employees pulled metal from different machines or sent sparks flying as they worked. Rotor cores created from an original 19,000-pound roll of metal and stators lined boxes and shelves. A furnace capable of reaching 1,600 degrees is used to complete the process of annealing, which is highly heated metal cooled slowly in order to remove internal stresses and strengthen the steel.
Accompanied by Steve Meier, who specializes in Orchid sales for strategic markets, Pocan viewed the process of cutting out gear-like metal pieces and the die casting done in a smaller room, away from the heavy metal stamping.
"With what we do, steel is everything," Meier said as Pocan learned more about the die process.
Pocan visited areas within his district during a break from Congress to gauge public opinions and connect with constituents. He visited Monroe after spending time in Beloit on Wednesday morning.
Cornacchia highlighted recent work for Iowa-based Amjet Turbine Services LLC. The company was hired to help create a hydro, or water, turbine. He added that Orchid has also been creating parts for aerospace power generation systems. The company has plans for future expansion over time.