Visiting Engineering Companies in our Community

     On January 14 2020, Team Forces Unknown went to A&R Metal Industries to introduce the staff to FIRST, and to learn more about their company as well. When we entered the main lobby, we were immediately greeted by one of the staff members, the quality manager named Carlos, who happens to be Coach Ana’s neighbour. 

       Carlos told us what A&R Metal Industries was for and what the jobs in the company entailed. A&R Metal Industries manufactures metal vehicle parts to sell to car companies. They have to make every part without imperfections, otherwise they will be scrapped. He spoke about the importance of treating all with respect, and not pulling rank or treating others with disrespect. He said it was important for his company to consider the ideas of all, and to not ignore other people’s points of view or contributions. Then, Carlos began to show us around the facility, to all of the machines and their functions. There were welding mechanisms, massive machines that poked holes in the metal, machines to bend the metal, etc.  

        After the tour ended, we said our goodbyes, and Carlos invited us to come back to the facility to learn more about it anytime.  In turn, we told him about FIRST and FTC, our emphasis on Core Values, and how our team works. At our next visit, we plan to show him our robot. We talked about our need for mentors, volunteers at events, and sponsors. We left him with a few brochures about our team and FIRST, and he invited us to go back to visit again another time.

​    A week later, we visited another company, which specializes in Lithium. We're preparing to a second visit to that company as well. 

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