Alphonso “Al” Anderson has been a vital part of the foundry family for over 14 years. He started his career behind the oven, working as a dipper, and has grown into a skilled master craftsman. He’s been with the mold department his entire tenure and has built strong connections with his coworkers. “It’s pretty cool. We’ve built a solid crew here — most of us have been around for a long time. That makes work fun,” he says.
When Alphonso was 19, he was working at Shop ‘n Save making $7.25 an hour. He came to the foundry looking for better pay and started at $10 an hour. “I almost quit in the first few days,” he recalls. “It was intense — the older guys didn’t always welcome younger people. But I kept pushing and decided to stick it out.” His determination paid off, and 14 years later, he is one of the most experienced team members.
Over the years, Alphonso has seen many positive changes. The workload used to be overwhelming, with Saturdays often required, but now the schedule is more balanced. He also appreciates improvements in administration and the addition of new machines and positions. “There’s been a lot of progress and positive change all around,” he shares. Regarding the company’s direction over the past year, Alphonso feels management has been fair and focused.
When asked what motivates him to come to work every day, Alphonso points to his family and his own determination. “I want to be better every day than I was the day before. I want to set the bar for others and take care of my family through this job.” He also appreciates the security his job provides, saying, “I have the security and status to keep going, and I’m still growing.”
Alphonso takes great pride in his work. “You actually have to have some type of pride, some kind of work ethic,” he explains. “You have to want to make the most cores, to dip the most cores, catch them, and keep the quality. You have to take your job seriously to a certain extent. I’m not saying be every bullet point in the book but be the most important bullet point in the book. Have some pride, some seriousness, and some care for the job. There are people like me who could come in when nobody else is here, and I’m going to work like everybody’s watching because I take my job seriously. I want to be ahead of most — I have records to this day for most cores on multiple machines.”
Alphonso makes a point to welcome and support new hires, offering down-to-earth advice to help them succeed. “I try to make the new guys feel comfortable,” he explains. “This is how things work. This is what you should do. This is what you have to do to succeed and excel here. If this is not an atmosphere you want, there are other places around. But being in this spot is a great way to get your foot in the door. No matter what it is, just being a part of it, you blend in, learn your job, stay focused, do your job, and then become an asset. Once you become an asset, your career takes off here. If you’re always saying, ‘I don’t want to because of this,’ or ‘I don’t want to because of that,’ you’ll never get ahead. If you want to excel, you have to show some pride in your job.”
Looking ahead, Alphonso hopes for continued opportunities within the company, “Honestly, I love what I do and I appreciate being here,” he says.
He encourages newcomers to be mentally flexible, ready to handle the heat, cold, and fast pace of the foundry. “You have to be a team player and be coachable. Take pride in your work and always try to improve,” he advises.
Alphonso Anderson’s journey is a testament to the power of pride, perseverance, and continuous growth. His commitment to excellence and willingness to support others embody the spirit of what it means to truly thrive. Alphonso shows us that with determination and heart, success is not just a destination but a way of life—one built on dedication, teamwork, and the courage to keep moving forward.
