When did you start at McHale?

I started in McHale in December 2016 where I was a General Operative in the Cutting Area on the night shift. One of my main duties then was delivering steel to the welding cubicles for the next morning’s production. I was previously self-employed as a Steel Fabricator and Roofer, so I was quite familiar with different grades and types of steel.

What does your job entail?

My job title is Replenishment Leader. My main role is to prevent part shortages and ensure the delivery of requested parts to the specified areas. I also request parts to be produced when stocks get low.

What is your typical day like?

The first thing I do is check with Manager or Supervisor to see if any parts are needed urgently. I then check the Kanban stock in each cubicle and renew that as required. When that is done, I check with each welder to see if they need any large parts. I then request these parts and deliver them to the welding cubicles as they become available. If required, I set up cubicles with the welders and make cubicle adjustments as an ongoing improvement for best receiving stock. Towards the end of my shift I will tidy the parts storage areas and liaise with the night shift staff to cut or form any parts required for the next day.   

What is your favourite parts of the job?

From one day to the next it is never the same, constantly dealing with different people in all of our markets.

What are the greatest challenges in your job?

I like the interaction with all the staff. The cutting and welding area is interlinked so I work with a lot of people throughout the day. I like to solve problems and find new ways of doing things so there is always a challenge in order to keep everyone supplied and the process running smoothly be it supplying parts or setting up welding cubicles with the welders.

Do you like your job?

Yes, I do like my job. Every day is different, I enjoy mixing with everyone and getting to know them. I find my job rewarding and solving the various problems keeps me busy.

When did you start at McHale?

In 2013, as part of my Mechanical Engineering Degree, I completed three months’ work experience in McHale for the summer. I then went back to college to complete my honours level degree in Mechanical Engineering. My final year thesis was based on the design of a test rig for testing the impact force of the safety arms on three different McHale products. On completion of my degree, in June 2014, I started full time with McHale engineering.

I started on the Fusion assembly line, where I progressed well, got great experience and in February 2015 I was promoted to the R&D department. My first job in the R&D department was the assembly of the first ten McHale Orbital wrappers. Following this I moved into the office where I started doing design changes using Creo and ANSYS software

What does your job entail?

As a design Engineer I am involved in 3D component design using Creo Parametric software. I also do stress analysis’s using Ansys software. I am also involved in prototyping and field testing of new products and upgrading the functionality on existing products. Other tasks my role would require me to do is creating and updating documentation, product planning, component sourcing, supplier liaison, new product quality inspections and creating procedures

What is your typical day like?

I spend most of my day doing design changes of existing parts or creating new parts using Creo Parametric. I use ANSYS software to do stress analysis on existing and new products. I can also spend some time each day in the welding area or production line if I am working on a change or new product that is being implanted into production. In the summer months, I would spend time doing field testing.  

What is your favourite parts of the job?

I enjoy the fact that I can be working on any product across the range. I do most of the stress analysis in the R&D department therefore I can be involved in almost every project that the other engineers are working on. This means most days are different for me and different challenges can arise every day.

In the past year, I have been heavily involved in the design of the Fusion 4 panels and have gained some knowledge in thermoforming and plastics. I had not worked on any panel designs previously in McHale’s, so it was a learning curve for me and something different. I had plenty of guidance from other engineers here so while the project was challenging for me I felt there was always a team of people that where willing to share their knowledge and help in any way they could. I really enjoy working as a team and I am looking forward to learning more in the line of thermoforming and plastics.

What are the greatest challenges in your job?

Prioritizing my work on a daily and weekly basis can be challenging because I can be involved in a wide range of projects with different engineers. The workload can sometimes build up quiet quickly, trying to prioritize what is the most important job to complete first can sometimes be challenging.

Do you like your job?

After almost 9 years, I have to say I do. Each day new challenges arise, and new problems need to be solved. There is a great team of people working for McHale and if I am ever stuck for a solution to any problem there is plenty of experienced and knowledgeable people throughout each department that are willing to help.

When did you start at McHale?

I moved to the Ballinrobe area in 2015 and applied for a job in McHale where I started in the welding area. During that time, I learned a lot and enjoyed the variety of work, from Manual Welding to Robotic Welding while also welding for our R&D Department. I had previously qualified and worked as a Civil Engineer before joining McHale so in 2018, I applied for the role of a Production Engineer for which I was successful. This role was challenging but very enjoyable and in 2023 I was promoted to Engineer Change Order Leader.

What does your job entail?

As ECO leader it is my job to manage the Engineer Change Order process through the production stages. The changes will come from our R&D department and from there I will assign it to the relevant personnel in the production process to ensure the change is implemented to the highest standards and in a timely manner. One of the most important competencies of McHale is the speed of engineering-change and customer improvements. This is a team effort from R&D to Cutting, Welding & Jig design, to Assembly & Spare Parts and to Logistics. Almost every employee is involved in the engineering change to some degree and their support is essential to my role.

On the Project Engineer side of the job, I would be involved in a lot of continuous improvement projects going on throughout the factory. Examples are the implementation of Kanban, Kaizen improvements and Industrial Engineering with further plans to be introduced in the near future.

What is your typical day like?

No two days are ever the same but generally my day is spent facilitating the ECO process changes being implemented throughout the factory. This would involve meetings and discussions with design engineers, supervisors, managers, and general operatives to ensure all changes are implemented to the highest standards of quality and in a timely manner. Every day, we try to improve the process for the benefit of everyone. Project work varies greatly from leading projects to making simple changes in workstations in order to improve efficiency and safety – all are carried out with the aim to drive continuous improvement throughout the factory.

What is your favourite parts of the job?

For me it has to be the fact that every day is different. I am constantly working and learning from people from all disciplines within the company, be it from Quality, Engineering, Electronics, Purchasing, Service/ Warranty and Sales. There is always something new to learn and great ideas to develop across the company.

What are the greatest challenges in your job?

Every day solutions must be found to challenges that arise. This can be very challenging especially in the current climate. All these challenges must be resolved without compromising the quality of the product or indeed delay the product reaching our customers. Every engineering change is an improvement for the customer in some way.

Do you like your job?

Yes, I have to say I do enjoy my job as I feel like I am making a difference and that my work is appreciated. The support and help I have got from all functions of the company have exceeded my expectations. In my 8 years here, I have seen the company develop and grow greatly so I am glad of the opportunities to be a part of it all.