Barclay Machine manager got start in Salem High program

SALEM -- This is what American machine industry needs and is looking for: Top notch machine operators like Tom Miller at Barclay Machine.

Miller was just promoted to plant manager at the manufacturing plant at 650 S. Broadway Ave. where the 2001 Salem High School graduate has worked for over 12 years.

His academic transcript includes machine trade classes at SHS in 1999 and 2000 and then night trades classes in the machine and tool and die trades after high school.

"I've been in a machine shop since my junior year," Miller said adding his resume includes a year at Solartec before he put in his apprenticeship time at Amtech Tool & Machine, a small machine shop in Boardman, until 2005.

"I was in charge of the CNC mills, we had three of them and built progressive dies there,"Miller said.

Jeff Cushman started as an estimator at Barclay Machine 35 years ago and in 2006 he bought the company which today has 19 employees who manufacture, among other items, huge, 8,000-lbs steel rolls for companies like U.S. Steel, Frito-Lay and Pepsico.

"We're really a manufacturing company," Cushman said, explaining Barclay "is highly regarded for its quality, service and reliability."

He continued, "Barclay rolls are in use domestically and abroad aiding in the manufacture of countless products. The largest, most successful corporations in the world rely on Barclay rolls to produce their products."

Miller grew up with Cushman's son, Brian.

"I knew the family and went to school with Brian," Miller said.

As he was moving his career forward the friendship became an opportunity.

"I started at Barclay on a CNC lathe … and I'm still doing it," Miller said, adding he's picked up a little here and there by "seeing how the flow of work went."

No doubt.

Cushman said, "Tom has worked at Barclay for over 12 years and was already a valuable asset to the company.

"His intelligence, work ethic and experience are invaluable qualities. We have the utmost confidence in Tom and pledge our full support as he moves into his new role here."

Miller said, "We're working on updating CNC program software. We bought three new CNC machines and retro-fitted some … right now we're working on updating, trying to move more work in and out. We build and manufacture our own stuff here."

A large raw steel tube sits cradled on a skid next to a machine.

Miller said, "We turn down the diameter, counter boring it for the journals and do all the turning, welding and assembly … and do our own balancing and inspection."

Cushman said, "Tom will assume all responsibilities for the successful operation of the plant in the manufacturing of company products by supervising the staff, scheduling and monitoring work flow."

Miller says something that may sound surprising to some, but is pretty well known in the machine industry.

"I'm the last one from my night trades class still in the machine trades that I know of," he noted.

Cushman said Barclay Machine looks for employees from the machine trades but will train a promising prospect.

"We do offer one of the best wage packages anywhere. I'll put it up against anyone," he said.

For more information about Barclay Machine, visit: www.barclayrolls.com.

lshields@salemnews.net