The Falcon: JGM’s 2025 Q1 Newsletter

A Message from Our Founder & CEO

 

I love the winter months, but I am glad to see Spring arrive! The longer days bring more time outdoors and more opportunities to enjoy time with family. As we move into this new season, I want to reflect on some exciting changes happening at JGM.

One of the biggest updates this year is an evolution of our core values. JGM has always been known for our Uncompromising Safety culture, and now we are officially expanding this core value to Uncompromising Safety & Quality. This change reflects our belief that safety and quality go hand in hand—when we do things right the first time, we create a safer work environment, reduce rework, and improve efficiency.

In January, our leadership team met for our annual planning session, where we committed to driving quality improvement throughout the company. This is a key step in achieving our long-term vision of becoming the safest, fastest, and most effective industrial construction and fabrication partner in North America. To support this initiative, we developed a quality committee that meets monthly to establish our vision, set action items and goals, and review our progress.

This shift aligns with our 2025 focus on building a strong quality culture, not just compliance across every department—estimating, project management, purchasing, fabrication, construction, maintenance, transportation, accounting, Safety & Quality. Just as safety is non-negotiable at JGM, quality must also be ingrained in everything we do.

  • Safety & Quality Work Together – A job done right the first time is a safer job. Reducing errors and rework minimizes risks on job sites and in the shop.
  • Quality Drives Speed – The better we perform upfront, the fewer delays and fixes we need, keeping projects on track and delivering faster results.
  • Standardization Leads to Effectiveness – By improving our processes and setting clear quality expectations, we create consistency across all teams, making JGM more efficient and effective.

Our teams are hard at work putting this quality-first mindset into action. Here are some of those updates:

  • JGM’s Coatesville Fabrication Group – ASRS Project: The team is fabricating 2,000 tons of steel for an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS). This job requires extreme precision, with a 1/16-inch tolerance over 150 feet. The custom fixtures built by our team are a great example of our commitment to Uncompromising Safety & Quality.
  • JGM’s Sinking Spring Fabrication Group – New Lift Bridge Project: In preparation for this exciting new bridge project we invested in some new fixtures to streamline our overall girder fit up & welding operations, reinforcing our focus on quality and efficiency. It’s really cool watching the team’s innovation come to life! I’m excited to see it in action!
  • JGM’s Construction Group – Kentucky ASRS Build: Our team is preparing for a nine-month ASRS construction project in Kentucky. This massive structure—40 feet wide, 140 feet tall, and 440 feet long—will store up to 23,000 tons of product. JGM’s scope includes steel fabrication, steel erection, wall panel installation, and mechanical equipment setting. A project of this size demands the highest level of quality control, and our teams are ready to deliver. Our team will be using our new laser tracker to ensure we hit our 1/16” tolerance over 150.’

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for JGM. Our focus on Uncompromising Safety & Quality will help us work safer, deliver faster, and operate more effectively than ever before. Thank you to every JGM teammate for your dedication and commitment—you are the reason we continue to set the standard in industrial fabrication and construction.

Let’s keep pushing forward!

Joe Messner, Jr.

Founder & CEO

JGM SAFETY CORNER

 

JGM Launches CARE Campaign, Presents Good Catch Program

To kick off 2025, we launched our new CARE campaign, and all employees received a new sticker to add to their hard hat!

Another special note: we were asked by a large contractor in Philadelphia to share what our Good Catch Program entailed as well as how we utilize our online store to purchase swag. We were honored to present this to a group of employees and to create a partnership!

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

JGM Earns 2 Million Man Hours Award

In September 2024, the National Safety Council awarded JGM recognition for completing 2 million work hours without an injury involving days away from work. We’re proud to accept this award as a reflection of our unwavering commitment to safety.

JGM ON SITE: PROJECT UPDATES

 


 

Precision & Safety in Arkansas Pickling Line Project

Our construction group completed a 7-month project in Arkansas, where our team executed an 800′ long push pull pickling line which included steel erection, heavy rigging equipment setting and precision alignment all which were all self-performed. Zero incidents & Zero Injuries – Great teamwork by all!

JGM ON SITE: PROJECT WIN

 

Logan Aluminum Update

JGM is moving full speed ahead with the Logan Aluminum high bay automatic storage and retrieval system fab and erection. Now the really exciting part – erection of the storage rack. The anchor bolt survey will be started in late April by JGM’s metrology team and a crew of 30 to 35 men will start steel erection in mid to late May.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

 



What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Contest

One of our favorite events to kick off the New Year! This year we were partnered with Mrs. Myers’ and eighth graders from Penns Grove Middle School in Oxford, PA. The annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing video contest excites students to explore cool manufacturing careers and create a complete student-owned video. We were honored to showcase what our team does so COOL each day in and out!

GO BEHIND THE SCENES

 



PowerGEN Conference and EPIC

JGM walked through the PowerGEN Conference from January 20-22, connecting with technology experts, engineers and suppliers, while gaining valuable insights from industry projects.

We represented JGM at the Energy Progress & Innovation Conference (EPIC) in Bismarck, ND, from January 27-29. We joined over 200 exhibitors to explore emerging industry trends and strengthen key connections.

WELLNESS CENTER

 

Benefits with Benefits: Unlocking Hidden Perks 

Did you know that your health insurance plan may offer more than just doctor visits and prescriptions? Many insurance providers now offer exclusive portals where employees can access discounts on health and wellness-related items and programs. These benefits can help you save money while making healthier lifestyle choices.

Here are just a few examples of what you might find:

Gym Memberships: Reduced-cost or flexible fitness memberships to help you stay active.

Weight Management Programs: Discounts on plans and tools that support healthy weight loss.

Smoking Cessation Support: Access to programs that help you quit smoking, often for little or no cost.

Health-Related Items: Deals on fitness gear, wearables, supplements, and even footwear.

To make sure you’re not missing out, reach out to HR@jgmusa.com. They can provide guidance on available programs and help you get signed up. Take a moment to explore what’s available to you. Your health and wallet will thank you!

* Only employees and families that are currently enrolled in JGM’s health insurance plans are eligible for these benefits. 

Q4 RECOGNITIONS

JGM Is Committed to Self-Improvement

We are proud to announce the following employees have advanced their skill sets in the shop and have received certifications in the following areas.

AWS D1.5 /NYSSCM/FCM, 1G, FCAW

Patrick Shirk
Nathan Cooper
Guillermo Alverez
Raul Castano
Javier Camacho

AWS D1.5 /NYSSCM/FCM, 3G, FCAW

Cris Cisneros
Mike Quinn
Marco Escoto
Julio Bautisda
Zach Willey
Ray Reagin
Isac Castro

AWS D1.5 /NYSSCM/FCM, 1G, SAW

Thomas Ruiz
Cris Cisneros

AWS D1.1, 1G FCAW

Noah Grabill
Jimmy Mendiola

AWS D1.1, 3G FCAW

Juan Quiroz
Dalton Steel

AWS D1.1, 4G FCAW

Ryan Kernan
Cris Cisneros

 

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Tony Stutso, Sinking Spring Plant Superintendent 

1. Please describe your role and how long you have been with JGM? My role with JGM is to transform the Sinking Spring plant from a mostly structural steel shop into a fully integrated, modern, Steel Girder Bridge Fabricating Facility. I am also in charge of the day-to-day activities at the plant: Safety, Quality, and Production. I’ve been with JGM since early January 2025.

2. What was your journey to JGM?

I worked in bridge fabrication for 35 years and retired. Kevin Traynor and I exchanged a few messages on LinkedIn, and he told me of the plan to make Sinking Springs a plate girder shop. The idea of being a part of that and being able to share my 35 years of experience was something that I wanted to be a part of, so here I am.

3. What is one accomplishment you are especially proud of?

I am very proud to be the best father I can be to my beautiful daughter, Sofia. She is by far the best and most important thing I have.

4. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy being outside in the spring and summer doing yard work, going to the beach, the lake, and fishing. In the fall and winter, I enjoy hunting, cutting and splitting firewood. I also like DIY projects and auto mechanics.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

Q4 New Hires

We are proud to add safe, knowledgeable, and driven individuals to our growing team. Join us in welcoming the following new employees!

  • Justis Davis
    Shop Apprentice
  • Jimmy Mendiola
    Welder 1
  • Rolando Sanchez
    Journeyman Ironworker
  • Mizael Sanchez
    Journeyman Ironworker
  • Chris Palotta
    Laser Alignment Technician
  • Tony Stutso
    Plant General Superintendent
  • Syed Ali
    Plant Manager
  • Saul Garcia
    Journeyman Ironworker
  • Jeremy James
    Electro-Mechanical Maintenance Lead 
  • Brenden Wells
    Journeyman Millwright

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Q4 Anniversaries

1 YEAR

  • Sean Donovan
  • Maximus Cannon
  • Juan Cabrera
  • Mike Crane
  • Mike Zamora
  • Kirk Boston
  • Oswaldo Monroy
  • Ace Rivera-Garcia

2-5 YEARS

  • Dan Jones
  • Jaime Kevles
  • Jay Sinclair
  • Drew Ziccardi
  • Michelle Shipman
  • Ray Reagin
  • Josh Miller
  • John Vazquez-Otero
  • Salvador Garcia
  • Reed Leavitt
  • Javier Velazquez
  • Guillermo Alvarez
  • Jason Morovich
  • Tommy Ruiz
6-10 YEARS

  • Raul Castano
  • Isac Castro
  • Pablo Monroy-Castano
  • Pablo Monroy
  • Sasa Randjelovic

16-20 YEARS

  • Joe Messner, Sr.
  • Chip Ashenfelter

 

 

JGM BONUS REFERRAL PROGRAM

 

Refer a New Hire & Earn Up to $5,500

We are always looking for safe, hard-working, and talented people to join the JGM team and you can help! New hires who come to our company through employee referrals are excellent contributors and stay with the company for longer. If you have a friend, family member, or acquaintance who shares our core values and has pure talent, you could be awarded a referral bonus of up to $5,500 (less taxes)* if you refer the candidate and they are hired.

Team members must refer candidates to Human Resources through the Employee Referral Program by using the Candidate Referral Form to be eligible. Additional rules and eligibility guidelines apply. If you have questions, please reach out to HR@jgmusa.com.

If you have a job that you needed yesterday, contact JGM today.