Talent Pipeline Program Mid-Year Event Review

TPP Frontier Flag Cohort Gathers for
Mid-Year Event at Major Tool & Machine

On March 5, 2026, participants in the Talent Pipeline Program (TPP) Frontier Flag Cohort gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana for their Mid-Year Event, hosted by Major Tool & Machine. The event brought together cohort companies, workforce leaders, and program partners for a day focused on collaboration, learning, and strengthening talent strategies within the metalcasting and manufacturing industries.

Representatives from Alcast Company, Ford Meter Box Company, and Batesville Products Inc. attended the event along with Bill Padnos, NFFS Director of Workforce Development and TPP Network Coach, who facilitated discussions and peer learning throughout the day.

The event began with a welcome and facility tour at Major Tool & Machine. The Major Tool & Machine team shared an overview of their operations and role within the advanced manufacturing supply chain before guiding participants through the facility.

During the tour, participants saw firsthand the company’s strong commitment to its people. Major Tool & Machine regularly recognizes employee accomplishments and creates avenues for employees to share ideas and contribute to improving the organization. The company takes pride in celebrating the contributions of its workforce and reinforcing a culture where employees feel valued and heard.

One example shared during the visit highlighted the company’s appreciation for long-term dedication. Two employees recently reached 50 years of service, and in recognition of their extraordinary commitment, Major Tool & Machine presented each of them with a brand new Cadillac. Stories like these illustrate the company’s deep respect for its workforce and the importance it places on loyalty, craftsmanship, and pride in the work.

Following the tour, attendees gathered for lunch and continued discussions about implementing TPP strategies within their organizations. These conversations are often some of the most valuable parts of the program as companies exchange practical insights and lessons learned.

Later in the afternoon, the broader Mid-Year Event session began. The meeting allowed cohort companies to reflect on their progress, discuss challenges, and learn from each other as they continue implementing the program.

During the breakout discussions, Ford Meter Box Company and Jesse Height received the TPP “Teammate of the Day” Award for sharing an example of how employee engagement supports retention.

Jesse explained that members of the Ford Meter Box team attended Disney Institute’s Approach to Quality Service training, which emphasizes treating employees as internal customers. Inspired by the training, the company strengthened its monthly employee newsletter to better engage its workforce.

One article highlighted a creative story inspired by an HGTV program featuring artwork based on historic New Orleans utility covers. The story connected the concept to the company’s own product heritage and was later shared on social media, generating several thousand impressions.

The newsletter also introduces new hires, highlights employees who volunteer in their communities, and shares personal stories about team members. These efforts help employees feel recognized and connected to the company.

Ford Meter Box also focuses on simple leadership practices such as recognizing employees by name, maintaining an open-door policy, and listening to feedback. The company’s culture of engagement has helped produce a remarkable retention record, with many employees retiring after 30, 40, or even 50 years of service.

The story reinforced an important message from the discussion. Strong communication, recognition, and leadership culture are critical parts of long-term workforce retention.

The day concluded with a reception and networking event, giving participants time to continue conversations and strengthen relationships across the cohort.

Events like the Frontier Flag Mid-Year gathering demonstrate one of the key strengths of the Talent Pipeline Program. The program brings industry leaders together to learn from each other while building stronger talent systems. By combining facility tours, structured discussions, and peer networking, TPP helps companies move beyond traditional hiring approaches toward a strategy focused on hiring for fit, training for skill, and retaining employees for the long term.

The Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society thanks Major Tool & Machine for hosting the event and providing participants with a valuable look inside their operation.

As the Frontier Flag cohort continues its work, gatherings like this highlight the value of collaboration and shared learning in addressing the workforce challenges facing manufacturing today.