Jim Andrews is president of Pneu-Mech Systems Manufacturing in Statesville, NC.
The company manufactures finishing systems and equipment for metal, plastics, wood, and composite materials. Pneu-Mech serves automotive, heavy truck and bus manufacturing, Tier 1, and Tier 2 suppliers.
Andrews and long-time business partner Jerry Trostle purchased Pneu-Mech in 2017 with an eye on expanding the brand worldwide. A year later, they formed a strategic partnership with European-based Aabo-Ideal that gives each company a global presence for its current and potential customers.
Jim Andrews tries to wrangle a snake that sound its way into Pneu-Mech offices in North Carolina.How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
I was involved in NASCAR and was introduced to coatings.
What do you enjoy best about the industry?
You get to visit many different industries and see how products are manufactured and coated. It is like being on an adult class field trip.
Is your glass half-full or half-empty?
Absolutely half full.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
Good music, cold beer, and a comfortable chair.
What was your favorite subject in school?
Economics.
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
I actually ate armadillo in the Boy Scouts.
Do you collect anything?
I probably have 500 different kinds of hats.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert.
What do you do to keep fit?
Walk and play golf.
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
Jim Andrews and his wife, Laurel, have been married 38 years in 2021.My family knows that my motto is: “Work hard, do good things, and be accountable for your actions.”
What three things do you think of the most each day?
My family, my religion, and how to make an honest living for my dedicated partners and employees.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Clint Eastwood.
What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
Cows and beautiful trees.
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are?
I would say I am a seven.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Not totally retired. I want to stay active in some kind of business.
What was your first job?
I was a courier for a large construction company. I drove all over town to banks and different sites. I learned a lot about how big business worked.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak City-Southern.
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
My oldest daughter, Rachel.
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
Jack Russell Terrier. I cannot sit still.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Never play golf in rainy, below 35-degree weather again.
Who knows you the best?
My wife, Laurel. We have been married 38 years and together for over 44 years.
