Even the most sophisticated bulk material handling system can’t function without rotary valves. That’s why we often call valves the beating heart of any conveying system. In the same vein (get it?), our valve manufacturing process wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and talent of our people.
To highlight our teammates in the manufacturing shop and offer a glimpse at how ACS Valves operates behind the scenes, we asked them to share some of their favourite things about working here.
Opportunities to learn
ACS Valves is big on providing new opportunities to learn. For our Production Supervisor Rob, who has a bird’s eye view of all aspects of production, every mistake is an opportunity to do exactly that: learn. “The company takes chances on employees by hiring from within and offering further education,” he says.
A prime example of this is Jarret, who makes sure rotary valves are properly inspected before shipping. When he first started at ACS Valves eight years ago, he worked on the saw, then moved to CNC machining as part of his millwright apprenticeship. Besides the opportunities for growth and further education, Jarret loves the relaxed and supportive atmosphere in the shop. After coming up with an idea to update our maintenance program, he was given the go-ahead to take ownership of it and learn as he went. He says, "There is trust between the worker and supervisor. There’s no micromanaging, but help is always there when you need it.”
A trusted team effort
After 12 years at the company, Matt, our Assembly Lead Hand who oversees the assembly department and personally assembles all our Quick-Clean valves, says, “No two days are the same.” Naturally, it’s normal for challenges to come up — like tight deadlines or tricky valve builds — but he believes they can always be overcome with a team effort.
Coworker camaraderie
Our CNC Operator James has spent five years at the company. Most days, he works on machining cast iron housings for valves, and he welcomes the odd special bolt pattern to mix things up. For him, the highlights of working here are the opportunities for overtime, the people, and the camaraderie among coworkers.
Starting out in the paint booth, Lloyd eventually moved to the assembly department during his five-year career at the company. “The people here are friendly,” he says, “and it makes coming to work enjoyable.”
Playing to strengths
A 10-year veteran of the ACS Valves team, our CNC Operator John has a tip for potential applicants: “You must have a sense of humour to work here.” As a place where we share a lot of laughs, it's hard for John to define a typical day on the shop floor, but he says everyone has the ability to shape their own workday and work on projects that play to their strengths.
John also likes that the company has been evolving and becoming more efficient, and he gets excited about repeat customers or special jobs. “I’m always happy to help rush an order through to help when a customer is in a pinch,” he adds.
Supervisor support
With eight years at ACS Valves under his belt, our General Machinist Brian runs the DBC, which is a bigger CNC that machines large valve housings and parts for our gypsum pin mixers. His favourite thing about working at ACS Valves is the quality of support from supervisors, as well as the strong communication with supervisors and coworkers. He says it’s an atmosphere where “you can joke around and be yourself while still taking pride in doing great work.”
A company that cares
At ACS Valves, people matter. That means more than just supporting professional development. It means sponsoring local sports teams, hosting an annual BBQ, organizing a company golf tournament, and pitching in for community fundraisers. “You’re not just a number here,” one employee shared. “The owners genuinely care.”
The same goes for employees. Whether it’s rushing an order to help a customer in a bind or rallying around a coworker’s fundraiser, our shop team goes the extra mile — because that’s who they are.
Sound like your kind of team?
If you’re looking for a career in the rotary valves industry, we’d be happy to hear from you. Check out our open job listings, and if you fit the description, feel free to apply!
