Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1501545
Thursday, June 15-June 21, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 13 A group of Isothermal students and instructors headed to Spain in late May to learn more about the world of international manufacturing. The trip was in partnership with the Rutherford County location of Befesa Zinc Metal, formerly American Zinc Products. The company, which reclaims zinc and other metals from a waste product of steel production, is a part of a larger company called Glencore that has a similar facility in Aviles, Spain, called Asturias de Zinc. "Our students spent the spring semester studying these manufacturing processes at our local plant, and then they went to the plant in Avilés to do a benchmarking exercise," said Anne Hardy, the coordinator of the international internship program, which is supported by a generous grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. "They plan to compile the information that they gathered in Spain, so that they can make recommendations to the leadership at Befesa Zinc Metal." The students on the trip were Jonathon Johnson, Austin Price, Kelly Newberry, Jessica Flores, Destiny Lackner, Dawson Powell, Valerie Evans, and Joe Burton. They were accompanied by Hardy, and instructors Nathan Fisher and Bobbi Hodge. Michael Almond, a Charlotte-based international business consultant who has helped with this program, also made the trip. During the trip, the students toured many other manufacturing locations, research and development centers, the engineering department of a Spanish university, and the Port of Avilés. "One of the manufacturing locations we visited was Cosermo, which designed and manufactured piping and structures for chemical plants," said Hardy. Our local Befesa Zinc Metal was actually designed, manufactured, and installed by Cosermo. Another plant we visited was Mefasa, which was a heavy equipment manufacturer. We also visited the Idonial Technology Centers located in Gijon and Avilés." Hardy said the group learned about 3D printing and additive manufacturing, robotics, mechatronics, the development of metallic materials, welding tests, and metallic characterizations. "We also visited the University of Oviedo Engineering School and met the Dean of Engineering," she said. "During this visit, we learned about many other engineering career pathways available in Spain. Lastly, we visited the Port of Avilés. We learned about zinc ore arriving from around the world and saw the raw material prior to it going into the AdZ manufacturing facility before it is made into zinc ingots and bricks." Throughout the week, the students and faculty experienced the Spanish food, the culture, the architecture, the history, the natural beauty of the beach, and the surrounding areas of the lush green countryside of Avilés. This trip was part of the same program that brought Isothermal students to Trelleborg, Sweden, last to visit and do work with a sister facility of the Trelleborg Coated Materials facility in Rutherfordton. For more information on this program or careers in manufacturing, contact Hardy at 828-395-4218 or ahardy@ isothermal.edu, Fisher at 828-395-1515 or nfi sher@ isothermal.edu, or Hodge at 828-395-4325 or bhodge@ isothermal.edu. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon Students who made the trip with the instructors and other leaders who made the trip possible. ICC students valuable international experience in Spain The Cool Springs Gymnasium was named the Larry K. Ross Gymnasium by Forest City Town Council recently in memory of Ross who passed away on April 10, 2023. Mayor Steve Holland said, "Larry made us all a better person. He was one of the most courageous, dedicated and caring individuals I have ever known." Family, friends, Forest City Town Council and town staff participated in the ceremony Monday, June 5 as the name was unveiled. Holland said he and Larry met in 1973 at Cool Springs Middle School and in 1974 they played on the school's basketball team. "Since that time Larry has had an incredible impact on so many lives in our community. Larry not only taught these kids about basketball, but he taught them about life," Holland said. Ross graduated from East Rutherford High School in 1978 and was employed with the Town of Forest City. He was also employed by Rutherford County Schools as a basketball coach of the East Rutherford High School Cavaliers. In 1998 he formed the Forest City Heat Basketball Club. Hundreds of young people from across Forest City and the County participated in basketball because of Ross and his dedication to the players and the sport. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photos Contributed. Gymnasium named in memory of Larry Ross "RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER" Eddie Holland was sworn in Thursday to the Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees by Leslie Blankenship, the college's assistant controller, while several trustees and Pres. Margaret Annunziata looked on. Holland was appointed by the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners and fi lls the board seat of the late Joan King. Pictured are Holland and Blankenship (front, left to right); and John Condrey (back, left to right), Chivous Bradley, Annunziata, Dave Hunt, and Grady Franklin. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Contributed Photo. Holland named ICC Trustee