BUSINESS

Photos: Manufacturing jobs demanding but pay well

Buddy Seager, a Milwaukee Forge finishing hammer operator, and Dale Walschinski (behind), a scale blower, work on trimming a forged steel billet that will be used for custom gearboxes and drive assemblies used in a conveyor applications.
Buddy Seager, a Milwaukee Forge finishing hammer operator, and Dale Walschinski (behind), a scale blower, work on trimming a forged steel billet that will be used for custom gearboxes and drive assemblies used in a conveyor applications.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A fork truck hauls cooling forged steel for custom gearboxes and drive assemblies used in a conveyor applications.
A fork truck hauls cooling forged steel for custom gearboxes and drive assemblies used in a conveyor applications.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Forged steel components cool.
Forged steel components cool.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
People gather in the lobby of Milwaukee Forge waiting to fill out job applications. Milwaukee Forge, 1532 E. Oklahoma Ave. in Bay View, has some tough, physically demanding work. But it pays well and many people stay with the company for 40 years.
People gather in the lobby of Milwaukee Forge waiting to fill out job applications. Milwaukee Forge, 1532 E. Oklahoma Ave. in Bay View, has some tough, physically demanding work. But it pays well and many people stay with the company for 40 years.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A 1,300-ton press makes components for the construction and agriculture industry.
A 1,300-ton press makes components for the construction and agriculture industry.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Steve Romel, a Milwaukee Forge hammer operator, runs a blocking hammer to flatten a billet in preparation for a finishing hammer. This summer, the company was advertising jobs that paid $12 to $25 per hour.
Steve Romel, a Milwaukee Forge hammer operator, runs a blocking hammer to flatten a billet in preparation for a finishing hammer. This summer, the company was advertising jobs that paid $12 to $25 per hour.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Rocky Herman, a Milwaukee Forge heater operator, pulls a forged steel billet from a box furnace heated to 1,800 to 2,000 degrees.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The control panel for a 1,300 ton press that makes components for the construction and agriculture industry.
The control panel for a 1,300 ton press that makes components for the construction and agriculture industry.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Forge is advertising its job openings with banners outside the shop on E. Oklahoma Ave. in Bay View.
Milwaukee Forge is advertising its job openings with banners outside the shop on E. Oklahoma Ave. in Bay View.
Jen Steele / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel