(SEGUIN, Texas) – Nine students in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program at the Waco campus toured United Alloy Inc. in Seguin on Friday, July 14.
The Seguin facility has more than 180 employees and specializes in custom-fabricated enclosures, diesel fuel tanks, trailers and complex weldments. The company employs people in assembling, fabricating, materials handling, painting and welding. The company works two shifts Monday through Friday, with Saturdays reserved for voluntary overtime.
Tristan Castronovo, United Alloy’s operations supervisor, said the company uses a robot for some of its welding. He said using the robot means welds are done much faster, but it is not always perfect work. He said welders have to go back and fix mistakes when needed.
“Robots are the future, but for every single robotic welder, there is sure to be a welder,” Castronovo said.
Castronovo said students should take the opportunity when given to learn about robots and welding.
The company is investing in laser welding. Castronovo said this means a faster and cleaner way to work with panels and do small corner welds.
“It doesn’t work without people,” he said.
Castronovo said to be successful at the company, it takes being teachable and showing up for work on time daily.
“I enjoy the people I work with here,” he said. “I like to feel accomplished at the end of the day.”
Judson Rolan, a fourth-semester Welding Technology student from Buda, said the tour marked his first time inside a professional welding facility. He was surprised at the pace that employees worked.
“They are doing it right the first time,” Rolan said.
Some students did welding tests while visiting the company.
Samantha Salinas, of Waco, is scheduled to graduate in August from the Welding Technology program and did a weld test she felt confident doing.
She said the visit was the first for her job hunt.
“I would say they (other students) should come and see what they offer, which is good,” Salinas said.
The woman-owned company was founded in 1999 in Janesville, Wisconsin, with locations in Seguin and Quincy, Illinois.
“That makes me feel really great,” Salinas said.
Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
