Mack Blog

Brad Williams, of Lake George, N.Y., is a senior at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., and a 2018 Mack summer intern. Brad has been working in the Company’s purchasing department with Supply Chain Manager Eric White and Medical Supply Chain Manager John Preiser.

“The goal of any ‘good’ internship is one that provides value to both employer and employee. I think we accomplished that with Brad this summer,” Eric said. “It was clear from the beginning that his curriculum prepared him for many of the day to day challenges we face. We had a huge amount of new product introduction activities this summer, and Brad played a significant role in helping out the purchasing department.”

It is a perfect fit for Brad, who is majoring in global supply chain management. He has spent the summer researching current topics and issues regarding supply chains, as well as filling out component quality requirements (CQR) paperwork, cutting purchase orders (POs) and debt memos.

“The work I’ve been doing this summer relates directly to my major,” Brad noted. “I now understand the importance of staying up to date and well versed on any findings in my field. If you don’t, you begin to fall behind.”

Brad found out about Mack from the Company’s website and has been enjoying his time in Southern Vermont.

“Mack really cares about the work its interns are doing,” he said. “I’ve been working on projects that are giving me real experience and are expanding my knowledge. I’m also glad I get to spend my free time hiking and swimming, and playing my guitar.”

After graduating in December of this year, Brad plans to work in a supply chain buyer position.

One of Mack’s 2018 summer interns is Seth Judson of Sharon, Mass. Seth is a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., where he majors in biomedical engineering with a concentration in material science.

Seth has been part of the Mack Medical team with Manufacturing Engineer Dick Turner, working on medical device programs. Over the summer Seth incorporated three major areas of focus into is work, including manufacturing engineering, continuous improvement and new process development. The continuous improvement projects have encompassed developing a sensor protector, a device to reduce tool wear and multiple error proofing fixtures. The continuous improvement projects revolved around utilizing SolidWorks 3D CAD software, while the new process development project included initiating process flow diagrams, Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA), line layouts and interviewing potential suppliers of equipment.

“Seth is a very creative individual,” Turner said. “He is always thinking of ways to improve the projects he is working on.”

When Seth graduates in the spring he plans to work in the medical field. Seth heard about Mack Molding from a previous intern who also studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and decided to intern here this summer to learn more about manufacturing engineering.

“After working here at Mack, I have a better understanding of risk management and ergonomics, and will be able to use that knowledge at RPI, as well as in the workforce,” Seth said. “The best part of this internship is being able to do hands on manufacturing. We are able to, not only think of ways to improve processes, but also go out and implement those changes ourselves.”

He is also enjoying the great weather we are having this summer in Vermont.

“One of the best parts of spending my summer here is being so close to mountains for hiking,” he noted.