News and Events
Throughout the year, many new and exciting things will happen at PGI Steel. We will unveil new machinery and services, keep you updated on our expansion plans and venture out of Alabama to see you out in the world at various trade shows, conferences and educational events. Visit this page to say up-to-date on the latest and greatest happenings at the company.
Announcements
On August 15, 2019, PGI Steel participated in the Signing Day Event held for the U.S. DOL Manufacturing Apprenticeships and signed four new apprentices: one in Machining and three in Welding and Fabrication. 58 INC., Central-Six Alabama Works and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce in coordination with Lawson State Community College and Jefferson State Community College helped to make this great event possible. Dustin Jenkins has moved from our Grinding Department to train in our Machining Department. Benjamin Erwin, Luke Whitaker and Kyle Lindley became our latest apprentices in our Fabrication Department. Lee Higginbotham, Vice President of Operations, spoke to the assembled crowd about PGI’s commitment to the program and to the value of workforce training and development for recently graduated high school students. PGI currently has seven apprentices.
On August 15, 2018 PGI launched our first ever U.S. Department of Labor Machine Tool Technology Registered Apprenticeship Program. This program was partnered with Lawson State Community College, the help of 58 Inc. and the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Brandon Krutsch was a high school graduate right out of Thompson High School. Preston Jones III and Blake Finnerman were already on the Team at PGI and wanted to continue their education and learn a highly skilled trade as a machinist. This marked another great day at PGI in developing our skilled staff for the future.
On April 24-25th, 2018 PGI participated as a vendor in the 2018 Central Six Alabama Works, Alabama Workforce Council Region 4, SkillsUSA and AIDT at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. The event attracted approximately 3,500 students and over 70 companies and a variety of other industry organizations. Everyone involved was able to connect with potential talent of the future and showcase what the industry has to offer. The event also hosted the 2018 technical competition for SkillsUSA’s statewide competitions. We were very excited to interact with students at such a early age and share with them what PGI produces.
In October 2018 PGI hosted a Manufacturing Day Event at our Birmingham facility. Students from both George W. Carver High School and Bessemer High School were able to attend the event. We were able to discuss with them in small groups what a future looks like in manufacturing and answer questions from both students and the teaching staff. One of our goals was to expose them to our custom machining, programming department and the processes that go in from start to finish.
Precision Grinding $2.5 Million Expansion Complete
In January 2012 Precision Grinding Inc. has completed a nearly $2.5 million expansion into Bessemer. PGI took advantage of the “slow, steady return” of manufacturing business when it bought the 74,800-square-foot warehouse and its 10.21-acre property. Precision will maintain its current operation at a 65,000-square-foot warehouse in the industrial area of Oxmoor Valley, where it was the first tenant more than 50 years ago. “We’re more than doubling our capacity,” PGI’s CEO Miles Cunningham said. “It’s our biggest expansion ever. This is our expansion for now,” he said. “But I’d like to think there are more expansions in the future.”
Meet with PGI Steel In Person
Would you like to meet with us while we are onsite at a conference or trade show? Or are you planning to be in the Birmingham area? We would like the opportunity to meet with you face to face. Please let us know that you’ll be nearby!