Brian Vang is a Quality Engineer at Technical Plating, Inc. in Minneapolis.
He has been with Technical Plating since 2020 and has an associate's degree in Industrial Controls and Robotics and a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.
Technical Plating was founded in 1975 and today has 30,000 square feet of space that houses 20 plating production lines.
How did you get your start in the finishing and coating industry?
I got my start after receiving a phone call from one of my mentors. Being a recent graduate, he knew that I had little-to-no knowledge of this industry but felt that the challenges could help jump-start my career as a quality engineer. And after discussing the details, I decided to test the waters, and here I am.
What does your job entail?
My job entails the continuous efforts of process improvements and managing the company’s overall quality system. But since we are a smaller company, you get to wear multiple hats at work. So, in addition to the typical duties of a quality engineer, I also get to dip my toes into a lot of other roles as well too.
Can you walk us through a typical day for you?
A typical day for me would be reviewing any issues that may have arisen and tackling those issues to avoid any possible ripple effects. Meanwhile, trying to tie up any loose ends on in-process work. I will then make time to catch up with the production associates throughout the day to see how things are going to gauge any potential issues. I also check in with my quality team throughout the day as well to provide assistance if it is needed. From there, I would usually end my day with the office work aspect of the job.
What do you like best about working in the finishing and coating industry?
I like the challenges that I have to face. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I enjoy the challenges of needing to think of abstract ways to improve the process. Also, this may sound cliché, but everyone I’ve met in this industry makes it enjoyable, from my team to others in the industry.
What preconceived notions about the finishing and coating industry have changed since you started working in it?
To be honest, I didn’t have any preconceived notions when coming on board. I was a fledgling coming into this industry, so I tried absorbing as much information and knowledge as I could. Everything that I am learning is pretty much the foundation going forth.
Can you describe a particular project you have been involved in that made you most proud?
I am most proud of my involvement in sustaining our company’s Nadcap accreditation. I had no prior experience or involvement with quality management system accreditation, which made me entirely blind to the process. I didn’t know how in-depth and detailed the background work took to maintain accreditation, but I was grateful I was involved and really enjoyed it.
Why would you recommend to a friend a career in the finishing and coating industry?
The finishing and coating industry is truly an inviting and positive industry as a whole, from my experience. Even your competitors have the willingness to help out due to being such a tight-knit industry.
What is the toughest part of your job?
The toughest part of my job is not having the answers to problems that I have not been exposed to. However, as with many other jobs, knowledge comes with experience, and I consider that a blessing in disguise as this is an opportunity to gain knowledge.
How do you describe what you do in your job to family and friends and the importance of it?
I describe my role to my friends and family as the person leading the defense team. And my job is to catch the problem at its initial point of occurrence, during the process, and resolve it if the problem is found later.
Are you involved in any industry associations or trade groups?
Not at this time, but I would love to be in the future.
What was the first job you had in your career?
My first job in the engineering field was Lean Manufacturing Engineer for concrete pump manufacture.
What type of college, school, or training have you had?
I received my AAS in Industrial Controls and Robotics and my BS in Industrial Engineering.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Career-wise, I see myself with Technical Plating, Inc. for the long haul. Technical Plating, Inc. has opened my eyes to an industry that has slowly grasped my interest. Currently, I don’t see this changing in the foreseeable future. Lifestyle-wise, I see myself just really enjoying life as it comes and spending as many moments as I can in it.
What is the most humorous day/event you have had in the finishing and coating industry?
I would say the most humorous day at work would have to be spilling my lunch all over me. Luckily, I was able to change into the gym shorts that I had. You can say that my associates definitely had a good laugh seeing me in my causal top, work shoes, and gym shorts.
What was your favorite subject in high school or college?
Growing up, I was always artistic and creative. I enjoyed doodling and drawing whenever I had the chance to, so Art was my favorite subject. Being able to express my emotions and creativity was limitless to me. But math definitely was a contender as well.
What motivates you to work hard at your job?
What motivates me to work hard at Technical Plating is knowing that I can be a resource to my peers, and they can depend on me as well as I depend on them.
Tell us about your outside hobbies and interests:
I have four completely off-the-wall French Bulldogs that I adore, and when the Minnesota weather allows, we try to enjoy any outdoor activities as much as possible. I also have competitiveness in my genes, so you can find me participating and making wagers in any sports or games that I’m slightly decent at.
What three things do you think of the most each workday?
The three things that I think of the most are: What can I do better? How can I do it better? Is this acceptable to me?
Who has been the biggest mentor in your career?
There are multiple mentors that are equally deserving of this acknowledgment, but the two that come to mind are. My brother, who is also in the engineering field, is whom I would go to when I’m having mental blockages and need some guidance. And the other would be Tyler Thomas; being able to learn the business aspect of this industry and gain knowledge from him has allowed me to use not only those in my career but also in life as well.
What is your favorite book you have read?
This may not be the typical answer, but my all-time favorite book has got to be One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, BlueFish by the great Dr. Seuss. I always find myself mentally repeating dialogues from the book and the book’s title when walking through any process. It also seems to be the book that I gravitated to when reading to my niece and nephews when they were younger. But being a dreamer and still trying to find one’s way, the next book in line would have to be, The Alchemist.
Visit https://techplating.com/
