Jim Constable joined Miller Fabrication Solutions in April 1996. What started as a job driving a forklift turned into a long career in the machine shop, where Jim has built a reputation as someone who can step in and run many of the machines on the floor. We talked with Jim about his 30 years at Miller, where he still enjoys running the machines that make complex parts for OEM customers.

Q: What’s your role at Miller, and how did it start?

I’m a machine operator. I machine a wide variety of parts – load them into the machine, run them, then unload and inspect them before sending them on. When I came on board, I ran a forklift for several months before they brought me into the machine shop, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.

Q: What brought you to Miller in the first place?

A friend of mine worked here – a couple of friends, actually – and they helped get me on at Miller. Before that, I was selling accident and life insurance. I found out real quick I wasn’t a door-to-door salesman.

Q: What has kept you at Miller for 30 years?

Mostly, it’s been the ongoing opportunities to learn. I appreciate the insurance benefits, and it has been a convenient place to come to work, since I’ve lived in Brookville (Penn.) near the Sandy Lick plant the whole time.

Q: Tell us more about what you have learned over the years.

We have a whole array of machines, and I like learning how to run as many of them as I can. It makes you feel useful – Miller can put me where they need me, and I can help out when someone’s on vacation. I know how to run about five different machines. Most of them are similar on the computer side, so the programs are about the same, but there are still enough differences that you have to learn each one.

Q: How has the work itself changed over the years?

The computer side hasn’t changed too much, but the tooling has changed a lot. Inserts and drills have improved over time, so we can do jobs quicker.

Q: What’s been the hardest part of the job?

Machining isn’t easy – the work is both physical and mental. You have to know how to read different measuring devices and work with small tolerances, some of them tiny. You have to pay attention, that’s for sure. It’s fun and challenging.

Q: What role have your colleagues played in your career?

There are a lot of good people here, and they’ve helped me out over the years – especially with programming the machines. Some of the programming is easier than others, but I’ve always had colleagues who could help me figure it out. Anything I couldn’t work out myself, I knew who to go ask.

Q: How has working at Miller benefited you personally?

The flexibility has meant a lot. Both my boys wrestled in high school, and Miller let me adjust my schedule so I could be involved with that. Once you’ve been at Miller 20 years, you get an extra week of paid vacation, and the company lets you carry a week over – so I’m up to five weeks a year now. That’s been nice.

Q: What would you tell someone considering a job at Miller?

It’s flexible – Miller will work with you. The insurance is good. And, there’s a lot to learn. It’s not easy, but that’s part of what makes it worthwhile.

Q: In a few words, how would you sum up your career at Miller in a few words?

Challenging – that’s the word that comes to mind, but in a good way. Fulfilling, too. It’s been a good 30 years.