Smiths Machine Reviews

Smith's Machine circa 2012-2014 (Hopefully the comments below will become invalid in the future.) Smith's Machine is all about appearances. It LOOKS like a nice machine shop - it is not. It looks like a nice place to work - it is not. It looks like they know what they're doing - they do not. A few short days in and you begin to realize the hell you just signed up for. It's a family owned establishment and their management philosophy was current somewhere around 1910. Meaning, you should be happy to have a job regardless the circumstances, suck it up and just work. Think concentration camp. You think I jest? Show up late and receive an "occurrence". Did your car break down en route and you walked to work? Doesn't matter. You still get an occurrence. Stand, don't sit... all shift long. No leaning against your machine. No talking to co-workers. Especially don't talk about wages to co-workers (The reason for this one is that there is no rationale behind pay. No pay scale. You should be glad to have a job, remember?). No unscheduled breaks. No cell phones or electronic devices. No unapproved clothing. (You'll wear a black uniform. Black shirt and black pants. Thin uncomfortable company issue. If you wear a cap it will be a black Smith's Machine cap.) Use the bathroom at home and don't waste company time. OK maybe the last one was an exaggeration...barely. Be prepared to be watched. Yes they have cameras in one plant. They could learn something by watching Duck Dynasty - particularly the episode where Willie installs the cameras to watch the guys work. There also seems to be a spy network. Don't expect to do anything "wrong" and not get caught. More than likely you haven't operated DMG equipment before. Don't expect to receive any "official" training. You'll be placed with an operator who may know less than you and you're supposed to learn from him. But be happy you have a job. Expect some overtime. You'll be notified that you will be working overtime today - or tonight when you arrive to work. That's soon enough - you didn't have plans anyway did you? Show up Thursday evening expecting to be off on Friday only to learn that the project you've been behind on is suddenly hot - requiring you to work late that day and two or three of your normal days off. If YOU need time off however, be sure to schedule it 2 weeks ahead of time. Be happy you have a job! This overtime phenomena is due to a few things - over promising and under-delivering and poor scheduling. The customer is told we can have it to you in a week when there is no way in hell we can make it in a month if at all. Then the job is scheduled by mysterious individuals who never show up on the shop floor. I suppose they have some amazing software for calculating job run time. Too bad it doesn't work. But you're happy you have a job and the company's ineptness at planning just means overtime for you! If you land a job at Smith's Machine, get used to machine issues which will lead to down-time and more overtime. German made machines. Seems like the consensus is the Japanese make better equipment, but whatever... I don't know enough about that aspect. You'll get to know the DMG service folks on a first name basis and they're nice folks. Be prepared for employee turnover. During the couple years I was there I counted 50+ employees that either quit or were fired. That is with a workforce of 80 - 100 people. THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS. Benefits? You have a job remember? Be happy! Oh and if you have a family you can pay $400+ for insurance. But it's good insurance and you'll be happy to pay for it! Advancement? You have a job. Be happy. If you need a job, go ahead and apply at Smith"s and don't stop looking for work. If you get hired, keep looking for work, in fact, step up your search a notch or two. Just don't post a resume online while you're working there or breathe a word to anyone at Smith's about looking for work. You might just be terminated on the spot - or a few days later. You may hear "If you don't like it here, leave now." They only want people working there that really love it. If everyone who really loved working there stayed they'd probably have two employees remaining - and I think those guys are just lying to themselves. So I don't want to be too negative here so I'll say that the best thing that happened to me was getting fired from Smith's Machine. Yes it was scary...and the relief of realizing that I didn't have to go back was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. The sun came out from behind the clouds, the birds began singing... I know, I know you think I'm making this up. Nope. There is life after Smith's Machine - and it's really awesome! If you're still working there and you're reading this, do not be afraid to leave. The Smith family are a nice bunch. They're no different from me and you. I'm not sure they think that and therein probably lies part of the problem. As a group they also fail to see and understand what is happening regarding the culture of their company. Nor do they take responsibility for what they've created. Blame is placed on other companies that hire their employees, suppliers, employees, etc. Short summary - work there if you have to, look elsewhere for happiness in your workplace.