The company employs 95 people and is hiring as many as 20 new employees, Lepper said.
New hires typically move up quickly as many higher pay positions are promoted from within, he said. Average first year employee pay is $19.23 per hour.
We asked Lepper about challenges facing the company and plans for future growth. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What’s the most prevalent roadblock you encounter when it comes to hiring, and what can job seekers do to remedy that situation?
A: "With manufacturing growing and thriving for the first time in years, helping people see what great opportunities exist in manufacturing is very challenging. I would recommend job seekers visit our website, www.middletowntube.com, to learn more about our growing company and what we do. And it is important for them to know that none of our employees retire from the position they hire into. All of our employees have the opportunity to advance. We want those people that not only want to advance within our company, they expect it. We are ready to help them."
Q: What’s the biggest challenge facing the company and others in the industry, and how is the company uniquely positioned to address that challenge?
A: "Like most companies when the economy thrives as it is currently, expanding our headcount is one of our main focuses. Attracting talented and committed people that are career-minded rather than job-focused remains one of our top priorities. Middletown Tube Works is unique in that we offer great career opportunities with a company that provides excellent pay rates and an excellent benefits package which includes an aggressive 401K match."
Q: Some job seekers are concerned about the limits of advancement within a company. To what degree can your employees advance from entry-level roles to higher positions in the company?
A: "We don't just talk about employee development and career advancement, we live it. The numbers don't lie; over 70 percent of our supervisory and management team began their career in entry-level positions. Supervisors, sales managers, our production manager and even our Division Manager grew from within. And how do we make that happen? Through training and development opportunities, tuition reimbursement for those seeking a degree, apprenticeships and partnerships with local educational institutions. Developing our people improves our ability to service our customers, and that strengthens our business. I believe we get it right when we say that it starts by getting good people and making them even better."
Q. What’s the vision for the company’s growth, both jobs and otherwise, for the next five years?
A: "Our vision is to be the leading provider of tube component solutions to America's top industries, and to be known as an employer of choice. Middletown Tube Works is investing in new equipment and installing more production lines to increase capacity."
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