Tag: livi steel

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Faces of Manufacturing

Livi Steel electrical engineer encourages young people to find work they enjoy doing

To anyone not familiar with manufacturing, David Gomory’s desk can be overwhelming.

Surrounded by countless binders, books and drawings on shelving, desks and the walls, the Livi Steel engineer has a method for where everything is located.

Livi Steel is a member manufacturer of MVMC.

It’s all in a directional flow, each binder organized by year, spanning his career.

Starting at the beginning

Gomory went to Penn State University and Youngstown State University, two years each, earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Following college, Gomory started out in a nuclear power plant, doing inspections during the construction phase.

Had he continued with the career, he would have had to travel around the country.

David Gomory has built a career with Livi Steel as a problem-solving engineer.

“That lifestyle didn’t appeal to me,” Gomory said.

That’s when he decided to look into the manufacturing industry.

Taking the idea from his own father, Gomory started with Livi Steel about 30 years ago as a detailer.

“The basic aspect is when erectors in the field receive a delivery of steel beams, they look at the diagrams on how to assemble them,” Gomory said.

Then, if there are problems or the contractor has a question, “that’s when they call me,” he said.

There’s a lot of attention to detail that goes into each diagram. Once they are completed, the work is looked over by a “checker.”

After about five years in the industry, Gomory started doing checking, eventually leading to problem-solving out in the field.

Building resources

Looking at his workspace, Gomory knows where each document is, and how it’s precisely organized.

“After you’ve been at this a while, you get to a point there’s a library,” he said, laughing.

That library includes codes and zoning information, parts of the job he enjoys learning and knowing.

He encourages anyone to find work they like doing.

“You can have a first job you don’t like and that’s okay but find something you enjoy doing because otherwise you’ll be miserable,” Gomory said.

Looking back at his career, he said he feels fulfilled.

“I really like it. I can actually say I enjoy what I did.”

Categories
Faces of Manufacturing

Livi Steel welder looks at his work through an artist’s lens

When most people think of welders, the word ‘artist’ isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.

 

But that’s exactly how Stacey Gray describes himself.

 

“I think it’s a form of art,” the Livi Steel Inc. employee said. “When you weld, it’s almost like drawing. It takes a lot of thought.”

Stacey Gray stands in front of steel beams.
Stacey Gray is a welder at Livi Steel in Warren. He encourages people to check out the trade, saying that it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.

Gray got his start in welding when he was working at VXI in downtown Youngstown. He was encouraged to look into Flying HIGH, and enrolled in the school after checking it out.

 

Growing up, Gray didn’t consider manufacturing as a career.

 

“I had no clue. I was lost when I was younger and didn’t know what I was going to do,” he said.

 

As he got older, friends encouraged him to pursue welding.

 

Gray is certified in stick welding, and his favorite type of weld is vertical up with stick.

Stacey Gray welds a beam at Livi Steel in Warren.
Approaching his work as art, Stacey Gray is recognized at Livi Steel as a precise welder with strong work ethic.

“I like the flow” of the process, he said. “After you’re done, the bead is so pretty.”

Recognized for detail

His craft is noticed beyond his work.

 

Donald Livi, president of Livi Steel, praises Gray’s attention and dedication to work.

 

“Stacey’s work ethic can be described as admirable,” Livi said.

 

“His skills allow him to be effective, productive and efficient.”

 

When he’s not welding and earning certifications, Gray produces music and raps.

 

To anyone interested in a career change or looking for a new direction, Gray suggests to consider manufacturing.

 

There’s a consistent form of growing and challenging yourself, he said.

 

“It’s an environment where you’ll always have to be aware,” Gray said.

 

Going into a trade, be prepared to make mistakes. “It’s like with everything – you get better with time,” Gray said.

 

Livi Steel is a member of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition.

Categories
Faces of Manufacturing

Shop foreman at Livi enjoys close work ties, reliable life provided by manufacturing

Walking into Livi Steel in Warren, there’s a close bond that is obvious as soon as you walk in the office and shop doors.

 

One of the reasons it’s a familiar atmosphere is due to the shop foreman, Michael Simmons.

 

Overseeing day-to-day production of the 16-crew shop, Michael enjoys his work because he likes spending time with his coworkers, but he also enjoys manufacturing.

Michael Simmons verifies markings on a steel beam.
Michael Simmons, shop foreman at Livi Steel, has worked with the company in Warren for about 25 years. His father was also shop foreman.

“My favorite part of my job is loading all the different trucks and helping coworkers solve problems,” he said.

 

Michael keeps track of inventory in the shop, along with what is being shipped and received, and anything involving the trucks delivering and taking steel.

 

He’s been with Livi Steel for about 25 years.

 

Adding to the family atmosphere, Michael’s father, Charlie, was shop foreman for 35 years.

 

“He taught me how to do this job,” Michael said.

 

Also working in the shop is his uncle Dave, a fitter, and previously uncle Bob, also a fitter and first responder.

 

Working his way up the ladder with Livi, Michael encourages anyone searching for a solid career to check out manufacturing.

 

He started as a laborer and after learning every role at Livi, he is now the shop foreman.

 

“Working here means a steady paycheck and good benefits,” he said.

 

In addition to being a leader at Livi Steel, Michael enjoys riding motorcycles and watching sports.

 

He roots for the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State.

 

Most important and the most fun, though, is spending time with family, especially now that he’s a new grandfather.