Orion's September 2016 eNewsletter
 
 




Orion Industries and Diversified Industrial Services Merger

 Orion Industries, Mukilteo - formerly Diversified Industrial Services.

Diversified Industrial Services, located in Mukilteo, WA, and Orion Industries, located in Auburn, WA, are pleased to announce the merger of the two companies effective September 1, 2016. 

This merger joins two non-profit social enterprises that have proud histories of providing people with barriers to employment with skills development and job opportunities in King County for almost 60 years, and in Snohomish County for 45 years. 

The combined enterprise will retain the Orion Industries name, and will allow Orion to carry its mission of helping those with barriers to employment through training and job placement to individuals in North King County and Snohomish County.

Please see the link below to view the press release:









Doris at work at TrojanLitho.
 
Doris    

Doris learned about Orion from a friend who had gone through Orion's training program. She then worked with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and was placed into the manufacturing training program at Orion. Doris said, "I didn't see myself as a blue collar worker. I was scared that I was not qualified, but I know I'm a fast learner and I'm curious. I liked that the Orion training program challenged me, and let me get a lot of hands on experience. The Orion trainers are wonderful!" 

Doris is Deaf. While communication can be a barrier, Doris is adept at making others feel comfortable. Cathy Wegner, the Orion Job Developer who worked with Doris, said, "Doris broke barriers for others at Orion." 

Doris agreed saying, "The Orion mentors had a huge impact on me, and I'm thankful for everything they taught me. I think it was a good experience for them as well."
Michelle Hohlbein, Human Resource Manager at TrojanLitho, toured Orion to learn about Orion's training program, and Orion Job Developers toured TrojanLitho to learn about their various positions. 

Doris was placed in a job at TrojanLitho a
fter completing the training program at Orion . Doris said, "I was excited to start my job at TrojanLitho. Having some experience helped, and my gut feeling told me that I didn't need to be nervous or afraid."

It took about a month for Doris to become comfortable in her new job at TrojanLitho. Doris said, "I didn't like it at first. It was awkward in the beginning, and I was ready to give up, but I could tell that my co-workers cared about me, and we broke down barriers and made communication easy. I find that I like the challenge if something is difficult, and I like the fast pace of the work."

Orion is looking forward to continuing the partnership with TrojanLitho. Hopefully Doris is the first of many success stories that celebrate the partnership. Doris said, "I would like to thank Orion and TrojanLitho. I'm very happy and want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped to train me, and place me in a job that I love!"



 

 Joe at work on the Orion manufacturing floor.
 
Joe  came to Orion with a background in printing, graphic design and web design. He learned about Orion through a friend of his family, who suggested that he consider looking into the training opportunities that Orion offers. 

Joe found out more about Orion by visiting the Orion website, and learned how Orion prepares program graduates for jobs that are a good fit for each individual. 

Joe appreciates the opportunity to get experience in a wide range of different areas. He also recognizes the value of getting one on one attention from vocational counselors, job developers, and mentors. Joe said, "The people at Orion really want to help me succeed. I am learning a lot from different mentors, and having a stable income while in the training program is a huge help."
Joe enjoys reading blueprints and seeing the parts he is building in Clamp Block, Mechanical Assembly, or the Hydraulic Build Unit, come together. Joe challenges himself to come up with easier, quicker, and more efficient ways to do each job. Joe has strong math skills, and remarked, "I'm surprised that there is a lot of math needed in the shop, and by how important the ability to accurately count is in every area of production." 

Joe enjoys running a machine, and likes the challenges available in assembly work. He has an exceptional eye for detail, and while machine operation and assembly work are in his wheelhouse, he would also enjoy QA or estimating work. Joe said, "I want to work. I have proven to myself that I have the ability to learn, and I know that I will continue to learn in life."

If you are interested in learning more about Joe or would like to see his resume, call Barb Panush at 253-661-7805, or email Barb at  barb.panush@orionworks.org.


Orion classes available!

Orion contracts with companies around the King and Pierce County area to provide classes, such as blueprint reading. Companies can send their staff to Orion for classes at our facility, or we can send our instructors on-site. If you're interested in finding out more about how this can benefit your staff, please contact Orion's Training Program Manager, Cynthia Kim, at 253-661-7805.

 


Program tours are available!
Please note new tour times!!

Orion currently has openings available in all of our training programs:
  • Our Manufacturing Training Program offers full time or part time paid training Monday - Friday. Participants can come for a variety of reasons including assessment or skills training. Enrollment occurs weekly.

If you are working with someone who would benefit from this training program, please have them attend our weekly tour - Monday at 9am!

  • Our Office Skills & Customer Service Program offers students exposure to computer training, customer service training and keyboarding / 10-key skills training. It utilizes a self-directed model, in a small classroom setting, with instructor support. Each Friday, interactive group customer service discussions are led by the instructor. Students are offered a daily stipend of $10 for class attendance.
  • Our Contact Center Training Program offers three paid training opportunities: Inbound Customer Service, Front Desk / Reception and Document Conversion training. Participants can come for a variety of reasons including assessment or skills training. While some programs offer cohort enrollment, most positions enroll weekly. Pretesting may be a requirement and will be coordinated during program tour. 
Orion has multiple open spots for direct job placement support services to individuals not in our training programs. If you are interested in direct job placement services, please contact a Job Developer at 253-661-7805.


A Day in the Life Boeing Visit

 Boeing Supplier Management Interns touring the Orion production floor.

Tom Brosius, Orion Industries Vice President & General Manger, toured a group of Supplier Management Interns from Boeing through the production floor to give them a firsthand look at the role of an aerospace manufacturer in the Boeing Supply Chain.

Interns were given a chance to follow the manufacturing process from Business Development & Estimating through Manufacturing & Shipping of Boeing parts.


Boeing Vice President & General Manager of Supplier Management

 From left to right, Tom Brosius, Brien Akers and Kent Fisher.

Boeing Vice President & General Manager of Supplier Management, Kent Fisher, toured the Orion Auburn facility on Wednesday 8/3/2016.

Tom Brosius, Orion Industries Vice President & General Manager, and Brien Akers, Diversified Industrial Services CEO, explained the role that the region's Community Manufacturing Partners perform in supplying Boeing with quality manufactured aerospace parts.


Rock & Rally for the Troops

 From left to right, Matt Foster, Victor Molstad, Miley Molstad, and Jason Person.

Members of the Orion Riders participated in the "Rock & Rally for the Troops" charity ride and concert event, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, on 8/6.

The ride helped raise money for the "Wounded Heroes" organization, which supports wounded service members. If you are interested in finding out more information, or how you can add your support, please see the link:


Pyeongchang Delegation Visit

 Tom Brosius leading the delegation tour. Photo courtesy of Kalyn Brady.

Tom Brosius, Orion Vice President & General Manager, led a delegation of visitors from Pyeongchang, South Korea, on a tour of Orion Industries, on August 17th. 

Pyeongchang is a sister city of Auburn, and the delegation visit was coordinated through the city of Auburn.


2016 Orion Golf Tournament

 From left to right, Dave Phillips, Ricky Phillips, T.J. Weulfling and Rob Martinson.

The 2016 Orion Golf Tournament took place on August 28th, at High Cedars Golf Course, in Orting, WA. The winners of the tournament were Dave Phillips, Ricky Phillips, T.J. Weulfling and Rob Martinson. The second place team was Jeff Black, Dale Dahlman and Joe Hoeft. The third place team was Anthony Blanco, Paul Spenser and Rob Price. Fore!!


Orion links
 
Orion Industries
1590 A St Northeast
Auburn, Washington 98002