Congratulations to Camille Stewart, who has been with HM Manufacturing for 5 years and continues to be an essential asset to our company. Camille started at HM working part time, helping in the finance department. Six months later she became a fulltime employee and took the initiative to work on organizing the company and create an aspect of consistent customer service. Since she has been at HM, she has worked all around the office and has become HM’s very own, jack of all trades. Whether it is communicating with customers, over seeing office operations, scheduling the shop, handling purchase orders and following up on leads with potential customers, Camille has done it all. She has said it’s her favorite thing to be able to communicate with customers, help answer questions, give them peace of mind and ensure them that their orders are operating smoothly. Camille currently leads the customer service department and mentions how important the company culture is and how it can impact the entire team. Camille knows first hand how focus and consistency with organization and team work has made HM Manufacturing a pleasant and cooperative place to work. As the head of the department, Camille knows about leadership and what it takes to be successful, “communication, consistency and follow up” she said, “along with a balance of sense of humor and a positive attitude is what makes HM unique to our customers.” She notes that to get a good outcome, one must have good input. “It’s equally important, to take pride in what you do,” states Stewart. At the end of the day, a paycheck is nice, but for her it doesn’t equate to the positive feedback she receives after a job well done. While everyday is different and new obstacles arise, she enjoys figuring out the best solution with her natural problem solving instinct. The team spirit of HM Manufacturing shines through when Camille mentions how President and CEO, Nicole Wolter, has affected her life for the better. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her. The support she has given means a lot and it has allowed me to move up and take on more responsibility. Nicole is always patient and empowers everyone to be the best they can, and she helps along the whole way,” says Stewart. In a time of celebration for her last five years spent at HM, Camille remains humble and notes that you have to stay grateful for everything life gives you, good or bad because without it, you wouldn't be where you are now.
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Job Creators Network, the country’s premier advocacy and educational resource for small business, released a video featuring HM Manufacturing’s President and CEO Nicole Wolter. The video has been sent to Capitol Hill to show Congress that the Tax Cuts Work. Wolter reinvested her tax savings in higher wages for employees and new capital equipment. “Because of the tax cuts, we were able to provide all of our employees with bonuses, raises, and 100 percent paid health care,” said Wolter.
For more stories like HM Manufacturing’s visit https://taxcutswork.com/stories/ On April 30th, 2018, HM Manufacturing hosted the Job Creators Network’s “Tax Cuts Work” tour at our facilities in Wauconda, IL. Lead by Alfredo Ortiz, the JCN’s “Tax Cuts Work” tour is stopping in cities around the country to share the stories of businesses and Americans positively impacted by the recent tax cuts. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has helped millions of Americans and small businesses by relieving their tax burdens and allowing companies to invest in themselves and their workers. Congressman Randy Hultgren, joined by fellow-Congressman Peter Roskam, highlighted why they voted for the tax bill, and how they have already seen it positively impact their constituents. State Senator McConchie was also in attendance to show his support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In addition to hosting the event, our President and CEO Nicole Wolter introduced Congressman Hultgren and detailed how HM has been benefitted from the tax cuts. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, HM Manufacturing will be purchasing two pieces of equipment at IMTS, valued at over $500,000. We were able to send multiple employees for extra training to enhance not only their skill-set, but also increase their pay scale. Current employees have received pay raises, bonuses, and increased benefits along with new rewards and incentives programs. For instance, we are still able to provide employees with 100% paid health care. With the corporate tax rate reduced, we are able to grow and add to our workforce and machinery. HM Manufacturing recently updated our CAD/CAM software and machinery and opened a sales office in Santa Barbara, CA. Austin Rabine, General Manager of Rabine Paving America and Kathy Gilmore, President of VIA, also provided their thoughts and insights on the new tax bill. Immediately following the event, Nicole Wolter gave Congressman Hultgren and other rally attendees a tour of HM Manufacturing’s facilities. In late January, District 95 hosted it’s first Community Leaders Forum. Throughout the event, highly successful community leaders provided guidance and advice to the district’s parents and students. The panel was moderated by Jim Vaselopulos, Founder and CEO of Rafti Advisors, Inc. and featured John Alan Sfire of The Fidelity Group, JB Hanson, Lake Zurich’s head varsity boys cross country coach, and Skyler Goodman, lead pastor for Heritage Church in Lake Zurich, along with our President and CEO Nicole Wolter.
In addition to the valuable insight provided by the panelists, Nicole highlighted how her unique story has strengthened herself and facilitated our company’s growth. She also provided advice for young people hoping to emulate her success, stressing the value of extracurricular activities in building skills that they can apply later in their lives, in any career. For example, Nicole said that “sports teach you how to deal with pressure… having a team with everyone relying on you…” is just as applicable to her job as it is to athletic competitions. She also stressed that it is ok to not know everything. “You want to surround yourself with different people that know different things.” To view the whole video and hear all of Nicole and the panelists’ advice, head to CLF
Here at HM Manufacturing we realize there is more to a business than just making money. Building relationships with fellow members in our industry and promoting the future of manufacturing is also greatly important to us. This is why our president and CEO Nicole Wolter is an active role model to young women interested in the field of manufacturing.
On Monday, October 30th, 2017, several manufacturing companies participated in a roundtable discussion with Congressman Randy Hultgren. Their discussions focused on how to get young women not only interested in manufacturing careers, but also help them succeed in the field. The event was graciously hosted by Valley Industrial Association president Kathy Gilmore at their headquarters, with industry leaders Janice Christiansen (J.C. Schultz/Flag Source), Rose of Sharon Devos (Pioneer Service Inc.), Gail Hernley (TekPak), Stacia Hobson (Image Industries), Mary Ann Mings (Suncast Corporation), Dr. Christine Sobek (Waubonsee Community College), and our very own Nicole Wolter filling out the rest of the roundtable. While there is still much work to do, the “Women in Manufacturing” roundtable was able to pin down some good places to start. Nicole believes groups of women should be encouraged to take shop and manufacturing related classes together to better foster support. It is important that manufacturing classes are presented as a valid option for young women; a manufacturing career is not only viable, but also incredibly rewarding. Members of the “Women in Manufacturing” roundtable are partnering with local high schools and colleges, like Waubonsee Community College, to promote manufacturing classes. The members are also working with training organizations, trade schools, and Rep. Hultgren to develop avenues such as paid internships and apprentice programs. The internships and apprentice programs will work towards college credit or certificate programs to better ensure a future for women in manufacturing. Many young women don’t view manufacturing as a career option, which is why Nicole is dedicated to showing them how rewarding working in manufacturing can be. In addition to participating in roundtables like this one, she is on the advisory board for McHenry High School’s manufacturing program. She also donates her time speaking in front of young women in STEM classes so they can put a face to a potential career choice. HM Manufacturing is committed to offering internships in both our offices and shop to these insightful and intrepid youths. Efforts like these can inspire young women to enter the manufacturing industry and offer new and innovative ideas. |
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