Ep-62: Even Programmers Can Fall in Love with the Manufacturing Environment

CTI Systems Realizes the Value in Retaining Their Workforce.

CTI Systems has been locally owned and producing high-quality equipment for the electronics assembly industry for over 35 years. CTI Systems offers a wide range of products, from the most complex laser markers to depaneling routers and simple conveyors. Located in the Lee County Industrial Park, CTI Systems is a four-fold operation in the manufacturing, sales, installation, and service of automated conveyor systems. CTI equipment, used in the manufacture of a printed circuit board, is utilized in a variety of applications and industries, from the automotive and medical fields to defense and aerospace.

On this episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with Dreama Pilson, the HR manager for CTI Systems in Goldston, North Carolina. Dreama joined CTI Systems in 1996 when there were only 24 employees. Today, the workforce has grown to exceed 82 employees. Educated as a programmer, Dreama quickly shifted to the manufacturing industry because of her love of manufacturing processes and the people who “are out there making things happen.”

Listen to the conversation as Phil and Dreama discuss how CTI Systems has grown, the challenges of staffing the workforce, and the realization that the best employees are the ones they have already hired. CTI Systems has a long tenure of employees, many with 15-20 years of experience. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships with organizations that assist in providing customizing training programs and educating the next workforce generation about the many opportunities for mechanical and electrical engineers, programmers, to machinists who manufacture the parts.

LINKS

NCMEP

CTI Systems

ABOUT

Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders, and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists, and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment, and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Dreama Pilson

Dreama Pilson is the HR Manager at CTI Systems in Goldston, North Carolina, for over 29 years. Dreama hires and onboards with a focus on a corporate culture of “Whatever-It-Takes” that is reflected throughout the organization, beginning with top management and extending down to its professional staff of employees. Each department is an extension of the others, and every employee works as a team member to meet production deadlines.