Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
🌟 Employee Spotlight: Dwayne Thompson 🌟 This month, we're proud to recognize Dwayne Thompson, a Heat Treat Operator at Grede Meadville, who has dedicated the past 17 years to Grede. Dwayne is known for his teamwork, extensive foundry and finishing knowledge, and strong commitment to safety. He is always willing to step in wherever help is needed, whether it's supporting production, filling in for breaks, learning new processes, or assisting other departments. His ability to identify process issues and take initiative has earned him the respect of teammates throughout the plant. A natural mentor, Dwayne enjoys helping new hires feel welcome and sharing his knowledge to help them succeed both professionally and personally. He recently stepped in during a customer audit, quickly learned the Brinell process, and helped the team successfully pass the audit. Dwayne's positive attitude, willingness to go above and beyond, and dedication to safety, housekeeping, and teamwork make him an invaluable member of the Grede Meadville team. Thank you, Dwayne, for your 17 years of hard work and commitment. We appreciate everything you do! 👏
Grede leadership was proud to join the American Foundry Society in Washington, D.C. last week as CEO Reid Southby and CTO/CHRO Susan Bear Sabet met with House and Senate representatives on Capitol Hill. Together, we advocated for the strength of U.S. manufacturing, the future of domestic iron casting, and the policies needed to keep American foundries globally competitive. A strong manufacturing sector strengthens our economy, our workforce, and our national resilience — and Grede is committed to being a leading voice in that effort.
Earlier this month, we celebrated something truly special at Grede Reedsburg — our people. Management fired up the grills for a three shift cook off to thank every team member for their unwavering commitment to safety and for achieving an incredible milestone: 2 million hours worked without a lost-time incident. This accomplishment reflects discipline, ownership, and a culture where every individual looks out for one another. Safety isn’t a slogan here — it’s who we are. To the entire Reedsburg team: thank you for making safety your top priority and for setting the standard for our industry. Your dedication is what keeps Grede strong.
Employee Spotlight: Heather Mazoch This month, we are excited to recognize Heather Mazoch of Menomonee Falls for her outstanding contributions and continued professional growth at Grede. Heather joined Grede in March 2025 and quickly made a positive impact through her dedication, leadership, and commitment to continuous improvement. In recognition of her hard work and strong performance, she was promoted to HR Manager in October 2025. Heather is passionate about professional development and has continued to expand her expertise while at Grede. She currently holds both her SHRM-CP certification and OSHA 10 certification, demonstrating her strong foundation in human resources and workplace safety. In addition, Heather earned her Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt during her time at Grede, further strengthening her process improvement and operational knowledge. Continuing her commitment to growth and excellence, Heather recently completed the required coursework for her IATF Internal Auditor certification. We wish her the best of luck as she completes the final exam this July! Heather’s drive to learn, develop, and support those around her has made her a valued member of the Grede team. We appreciate her hard work, dedication, and the positive energy she brings every day. Congratulations, Heather, on all you have accomplished — we look forward to your continued success at Grede!
Employee Spotlight: The Strength Behind Our Iron Spotlighting Demitrius Reza, a great example of why our people are Grede’s greatest strength. Starting as a CNC Machine Operator in our Biscoe, NC plant, Demitrius quickly stood out through his professionalism, initiative, and commitment to quality. His hard work and attention to detail earned him a promotion to Machining Quality Inspector. Today, he continues to exemplify dependability, curiosity, and continuous improvement. We’re proud of his journey and grateful for the impact he makes at Grede every day.
Proud moment for Grede New Castle at Casting Congress 2026. Our team was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award for an exceptional Meritor casting design — a recognition that reflects technical excellence, collaboration, and true craftsmanship. Congratulations to Mike Stanley, Mark Brock, and Bret Spears, the engineering minds and problem solvers behind this award-winning design. Their innovation and commitment to quality continue to elevate Grede as a leader in complex, high performance cast solutions.
Last week at the AFS Casting Congress in Grand Rapids, Grede’s presence reflects the strength of our people and the momentum of our organization. Our Reedsburg team reached a historic milestone — 2 million hours without a lost time incident, the first foundry ever to do so. This achievement represents years of discipline, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Grede also took the stage as Susan Bear shared our IoT and Industry 4.0 strategy, reinforcing Grede’s position as a leader in digital transformation and smart manufacturing. From safety to technology, Grede continues to shape the future of the casting industry.
Our very own Nate Cowen, Grede Account Manager, spent Easter in Washington DC at the annual Easter Egg Roll! Here Nate was able to spend some time perusing the presidential limo! The presidential limo provides a rolling testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and advanced engineering that power the U.S. mobility and automotive industry. From its precision engineered chassis to its integrated safety systems, the limo brings together the best of American manufacturing: • Cutting edge materials developed by domestic suppliers • Advanced mobility technologies designed and tested by top automotive engineers • Specialized components produced by high skill manufacturing teams across the country • Rigorous quality and safety standards that set the benchmark for the entire industry The result is a vehicle that represents the capabilities, resilience, and global competitiveness of the U.S. automotive sector. In a world where mobility is rapidly evolving, the presidential limo stands as a reminder of what American engineering can achieve when innovation, security, and manufacturing excellence come together.
Employee Spotlight: The Strength Behind our Iron Meet Tommy Donovan, a key force driving innovation and quality in our engineering department. Since returning to Grede Reedsburg in January 2023, he’s been all about growth, collaboration, and tackling new challenges head on. Tommy has completed nearly 50 American Foundry Society engineering courses—and his dedication earned him recognition as AFS’s top student for modules completed in June 2024. In his role, he partners with teams across the foundry on new job startups, PPAPs, and process improvements, including reducing scrap and optimizing existing tooling. He’s also the go to problem solver for a wide range of engineering needs. Tommy’s commitment to learning, teamwork, and continuous improvement truly makes him the strength behind the iron.
Great day at Grede St. Cloud! We had the pleasure of hosting Justin Scott, who recently stepped into the role of AFS President this March. Our team was excited to walk him through the foundry, highlight our capabilities, and share the pride we take in the work we do. Here’s to strong partnerships and a bright future for the metal casting industry!
