Weir - ESCO Division

Warm weather, good food and 90's music made for the perfect way to celebrate the last few summer days in Portland, Oregon, and another productive year of teamwork! On 9 September, Weir’s Portland-based products, engineering, innovation and technology teams gathered at division headquarters for their annual barbecue to celebrate a successful year of innovation, productivity and collaboration.

The team hit the ground running this year and hasn’t stopped since, so time to recharge, socialize and enjoy some burgers, bratwurst, veggie patties and a wide variety of sides was meaningful! A huge shoutout to everyone who pitched in to help make this gathering possible from grocery shopping to setting up tents and cooking; it was a team effort. We’re already counting down until next year’s event.

Spend a few minutes talking to Percy Pearson and one thing becomes clear: he does not see procurement as purchasing parts. He sees it as helping people succeed.

On 8 September, the procurement manager for Newton operations celebrated 45 years of service with the ESCO Division. From his desk in Newton, Mississippi, Percy helps keep foundry operations running smoothly, building strong relationships with suppliers and supporting teammates he proudly calls “his partners.”

“What I do affects somebody else, another department, a customer,” said Percy. “It takes partnership. Having good relationships with department managers allows me to draw on their knowledge to convey what we need to our suppliers.”

When Percy joined the Newton foundry in 1981, he spent a brief time on the shop floor, first as a grinder, then as a painter in the finishing department supporting the foundry and fabrication. But, he found his calling in procurement. From there, Percy became Newton’s dedicated procurement manager, a role he has held for 44 ½ years of his ESCO career.

Percy brought structure to manual processes. For example, he pitched a novel idea related to consignment inventory, leading to a first-of-its-kind program. The result: immediate improvements to cost savings and inventory reductions, plus payment for materials only as they were used.

For Percy, the experience was a reminder about supporting people through change: “The vast majority of changes will be positive,” he said. “You may not agree with the change, or you may be apprehensive at first, but when you start showing people the vision and relying on their expertise to assist in the change process, the benefits become a reality.”

Congratulations and thank you, Percy, for your 45 amazing years of dedicated service!

Portland Design Engineers, Nicole Osborn and Emma Perlman, spent a good portion of this year studying for the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. Recently their preparation paid off with both earning their PE licenses from the State of Oregon!

As licensed professional engineers, Nicole and Emma have expanded their capabilities within Weir’s global engineering community, while also earning a distinguished credential that enables them to practice engineering in Oregon. Their journey was both challenging and rewarding, shared Nicole. Months of studying, planning and problem-solving, even simulations, helped prepare them for exam day.

Reflecting on their experience, both engineers emphasized the importance of being proactive about professional development. “Whether that's pursuing a PE license, additional certifications or other learning opportunities,” said Emma, professional growth is strengthened by a strong support system and personal accountability every step of the journey.

They also encourage other engineers not to shy away from pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. “You have already put in the hard work to earn your degree, and your early career experience will continue to build on that foundation,” shared Nicole. “With a plan, commitment and support from others, the PE license is an achievable and worthwhile professional goal.”

Congratulations, Nicole and Emma. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next!

Nothing brings people together quite like good barbecue and shared accomplishment! Weir Portland’s plant 3 team gathered on 20 August to celebrate their remarkable safety performance.

This group makes construction products used in various applications all over the globe. They take pride in their work, so it is meaningful to recognize big and small milestones, and the zero harm culture they have built together!

Meet Sandel Canedo.

Sandel Canedo describes joining Weir’s ESCO Division nearly six years ago as a defining moment in his career.

“It opened the door to new experiences and growth as an engineer,” he explains.

At the time, Sandel was a young design engineer working for a Japanese company that specialized in vehicular turbochargers. He was primarily focused on building his technical foundation and gaining hands-on experience in design and manufacturing. An unexpected opportunity came when a former colleague, who had taken a job at Weir, reached out and introduced Sandel to the company.

“He encouraged me to explore a tooling engineer opening at the division’s Manila site,” says Sandel. “It felt like a big step, but also an exciting challenge!” Sandel interviewed and got the job. Today, he is a design engineer on Manila’s tooling team and shares that he takes a unique approach to his job.

“In my work, I've always believed that design goes beyond simply meeting standards and requirements,” he says. “I'm naturally curious about how things are done and how processes can be better organized or improved.”

Sandel adds that rather than focusing only what is required, he aims “to bring both function and form into every design, making sure that the final output is not only effective but also well-thought-out in how. For me, it's important to understand the full picture: how the design works, how it is built and how it ultimately adds value to the team and the project.”

Outside of work, Sandel has a passion for staying active and creative, adding that table tennis has long been his favorite sport. He’s recently picked up pickleball, too.

“One of the most meaningful parts of my life is photography,” says Sandel. “It started as a simple interest and has grown into a long-term passion.” He largely focuses on travel, street and portrait photography explaining that he enjoys documenting real moments and stories through his lens.

“I also value spending time with my family whether it's traveling together and exploring new places or simply enjoying moments with our two dogs,” shares Sandel.

PHOTO GALLERY

Eyes lit up. Competitive, curious spirit ran wild. Children were inspired. These were some of the highlights of Xuzhou’s “Factory Day” event held 15 August.

Forty-three children came for an immersive experience and left with valuable lessons about the importance of manufacturing, mining and metallurgy—core features of Xuzhou’s remarkable operation.

With support from 30+ employee volunteers, their bring your child to work day-style event promoted fun, interactive learning about ESCO products, foundry craftsmanship and safety, Weir’s #1 priority.

The team was delighted to show their families all the extraordinary things they do every day, especially with the site’s 20th anniversary this year.

As Xuzhou enters its next chapter of success, they remain committed to building a safe, inclusive and sustainable future together. Factory Day continues to be a wonderful way to show the next generation what we do, how we do it and who makes an impact in the world!

Meet Tanya Fouche.

In just about a week, on 1 September, Tanya Fouche, the recently appointed SHE manager for the Africa and Europe regions, will mark 16 years with Weir. If there is any question about Tanya’s passion for SHE, you probably haven’t corresponded with her lately via email. Otherwise, you likely would have noticed each message concludes with her thoughtful reminder, “Safety is the spark that lights a culture of care.”

“Safety is more than just the paperwork,” Tanya says. “It’s about people going home safely to their families and all of us working together to achieve that outcome. I like making a difference.”

Before joining Weir in 2010, Tanya spent a few years working in stock control and machinery management for an open-pit mine near Mokopane, South Africa, where she spent a lot of time in the pit. She says she happily moved to Weir’s Minerals Division where she took a job as service center administrator for the sales and service branch in Mokopane. The role included some SHE functions, which triggered her interest in safety and the decision to make it her career. She was named safety officer for Mokopane in 2017.

In 2023, Tanya made the move to the ESCO Division as safety officer for the Africa region, also providing inside sales support for the division’s Mokopane location. This past March, she was promoted to SHE manager for both the Africa and Europe regions.

Tanya says no two days are alike in her new role. Some days are filled with meetings and SHE reporting, while others are busy conducting workplace SHE training, events and risk assessments. She also visits customer mines to ensure safety compliance is up to Weir standards, as well as doing field service training at those locations.

“This is particularly important because we also provide on-site maintenance and repair services for ESCO® GET and large equipment at a nearby mine,” she explains.

Tanya describes the South African lifestyle as “work hard, play hard,” and says that’s consistent with how she and her family live.

“When I’m not working, family is most important,” she shares. “We love the outdoors, including exploring, camping and visiting new places.” She says they also enjoy hosting and attending braais (rhymes with fries), a South African term for barbecues. It means grilled meat in Afrikaans and is an important component of South African culture.

Tanya likes supporting her teenage son and daughter in their athletic pursuits, too. “I’m one of those crazy moms cheering!” she says.

Ever wonder what it takes to build a race car that can accelerate faster than a Ferrari?

Recently, we played a small part in a championship-winning car through advanced manufacturing. Molds created and donated by ESCO’s development and innovation centers in Portland, Oregon, were used to manufacture carbon fiber wing elements. These elements were then installed on a Formula SAE race car built by Global Formula Racing (GFR).

GFR is a joint student racing venture representing both Oregon State University and Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Friedrichshafen, based in Germany.

Elements like this help improve grip and performance at high speeds, one of many contributing factors that led to the students’ first place finish at the FSAE competition in Brooklyn, Michigan, in June.

Donations like this are especially meaningful, because of our strong connection to Oregon State University. Many ESCO Division employees are proud alumni, and several have participated in Baja and Formula SAE teams through the years. Special thanks to Design
Engineer, Construction GET, William Miller, who helped coordinate the donation, and Joe Blomberg, Dean Crowe and Dillon Silva for their help in creating the molds.

PHOTO GALLERY

How are great workplace memories made?

PORT HOPE, ONTARIO, CANADA – The foundry marked a monumental milestone in July with its historic 90,000th heat. On 12 August, employees celebrated in true Canadian style: with golden-brown BeaverTail treats (look it up!). Toppings were piled high, commemorative tees tossed on and tasty tails were enjoyed until every last tidbit disappeared. What a festive way to commemorate a remarkable achievement!

PORTLAND, OREGON – From swimming elephants, sizzling burgers, smiling raffle winners and showstopping snake demonstrations, 320 employees, retirees and family members made Weir Portland’s picnic, held 8 August, an unforgettable day at the Oregon Zoo! Special thanks goes to Julie Herbert, 2026 coordinator, and to all employees who made the event wildly successful. Additional thanks to colleagues Alan George and Denise Roberts.

COVINGTON, KENTUCKY – Colorful artwork and buckets of ice-cold beverages to crowning Warren Daniels the welded rose winner. These were some of the fun features of Covington’s family day on 25 July. Families were welcomed inside the shop for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the operation and the people who make it possible. Hats off to Ericka True, Cory Frost, Christina Horton, Mike Jefferson, Joe Sodano, Basil Hozeska and local sponsors.

VIEW FULL PHOTO GALLERY ON LINKEDIN: https://bit.ly/4dJRd1F.

Meet Andrea Dale.

Weir employees are a diverse bunch. We hail from different parts of the world and form a treasure trove of various cultures, skills and life experiences. But one common characteristic is being go-getters. And go-getters tend to lead interesting lives.

Enter Andrea Dale, ESCO Division area manager for the New South Wales region of Australia. For Andrea, a typical day involves traveling to coal mines across the region where she meets with customers’ operational and maintenance teams, often going into the pit, to understand their challenges and identify opportunities where she can provide value through ESCO® products, services and technical expertise.

But, prior to joining Weir in 2011, Andrea followed her adventurous spirit to work across a variety of roles and industries defining distinctly different chapters of her life. We share a couple of examples here.

“I don’t like to follow the norm,” Andrea says. “I like being challenged.”

Fresh out of high school, Andrea joined the Royal Australian Navy where she became a high-power technician responsible for maintaining power generation equipment on naval supply ships throughout Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

“I wanted to pursue a career that was different from traditional gender expectations,” she explains. “I joined the navy to support my country. And I got to travel and successfully represent Australia in a wide variety of sporting competitions.”

Andrea says her naval career was one of her most rewarding life experiences, providing eight years of valuable professional and personal development. “The navy also instilled in me the importance of teamwork, discipline, accountability and resilience — qualities that have continued to support me throughout life,” she says.

After serving in the navy, Andrea pursued an interest in martial arts, ultimately co-owning and operating a respected martial arts school in Australia with her late husband.

“We were passionate about helping children and adults develop confidence, resilience, discipline and personal safety skills,” shares Andrea. “Many of our students went on to flourish both personally and professionally, becoming successful and confident adults. Seeing the lasting difference we made in people's lives remains one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys traveling, maintaining an active lifestyle and spending quality time with friends and family, including four grandchildren who live nearby. She recently returned from Japan where she completed a challenging 11-day hiking and cycling tour at high altitudes.

“I am passionate about fitness and regularly participate in activities such as hiking and paddleboarding,” says Andrea. “I also enjoy challenging myself through new experiences and adventures, which builds adaptability and a positive outlook.”