Fusing Tradition and Technology: PIAD's Human-Driven Success Story

For more than 50 years, PIAD Precision Casting’s people have become its heart and soul driving not only its success to date, but its eagerness to seize even more opportunities in the future.

Operating a 37,500 square foot permanent mold foundry in Greensburg, PA, and a 27,400 square foot machine shop in Latrobe, PA. PIAD is the world’s leading manufacturer of functional components produced using the chill mold casting process.

At the core of PIAD’s growth is an unwavering commitment to technological advancement and a keen eye for the evolving needs of the industry. "It's really about understanding where the market is headed," Audra Hier, Executive VP of Administration, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at PIAD, said. "We've embraced state-of-the-art casting techniques and integrated advanced materials that have positioned us at the top of the industry." This forward-thinking approach has not only solidified PIAD's status as a leader in precision casting but has also ignited interest and demand from a broad spectrum of sectors eager to leverage PIAD's expertise.

“Despite technology, some things have to be done by hand,” said George Latta, PIAD VP of Manufacturing and Chief Operations Officer. “We have some of the last mill jobs left. Copper is our oxygen!”

The growth narrative of PIAD is notably marked by the significant expansion of its workforce—a testament to its burgeoning success. Bringing on board this many passionate individuals in a relatively short time frame has been exhilarating for Hier. The recruitment strategy has been meticulously structured, not merely to augment numbers but to cultivate a rich tapestry of talent aligned with PIAD’s ethos and vision. "It's about hiring not just for today but for where we see ourselves years down the line. We're building a future, after all," said Hier.

Much of PIAD’s highly skilled workforce sweats it out on the foundry floor creating near-net shape castings made of pure copper, copper-based alloys and aluminum alloys for customers ranging from transportation to infrastructure to healthcare.

“Despite technology, some things have to be done by hand,” said George Latta, PIAD VP of Manufacturing and Chief Operations Officer. “We have some of the last mill jobs left. Copper is our oxygen!”

He explained PIAD’s unique culture does not rely on supervisors instead empowering group leads on the floor with backups.

“Production has gone up 11-15 percent,” Latta said. “People know what they have to achieve out on the floor. There’s not a workforce that can keep up with us. We operate in the highest fashion, just like the military.”

As the national Build Back Better Plan revs up, it has started to create more demand from some of PIAD’s biggest customers. Latta said PIAD hired a record number of people last year, a record for the company keeping Hier’s team quite busy.

PIAD offers various services to its customers, including assistance in optimizing casting design for functional components, mold design using 3D Unigraphics CAD-CAM software, mold construction using state-of-the-art CNC machines, and modern machining utilizing CNC machining centers. It also has alliances with plating and powder coating companies to offer a comprehensive range of services.

“Production has gone up 11-15 percent,” Latta said. “People know what they have to achieve out on the floor. There’s not a workforce that can keep up with us. We operate in the highest fashion, just like the military.”

Steering a company through phases of rapid growth requires a delicate balance between ambition and prudence, a balance Hier seems to have mastered. "Engaging our workforce and integrating them into the PIAD family has been crucial," she elucidated. This sense of belonging and appreciation has fostered a culture of innovation and empowerment among the staff, driving productivity and satisfaction in equal measure. Moreover, Hier has been proactive in managing the expectations and dynamics to ensure alignment and support for PIAD's strategic direction. She said that it's about being transparent and having those tough conversations, but also celebrating its victories together.

Looking forward, Hier envisions a bustling 2025 for PIAD, with enhanced capabilities, broader market reach, and a continued emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. "We’re not just looking to expand our footprint," she declared, "We want to lead by example with continuous improvement, automation, more employees, continual training, but also making sure that we don't forget about our customer!”