# Built to Work Podcast

**Host: Colin**
Welcome to Built to Work, the podcast that gets its hands dirty, dives into the grit, and uncovers the heart of what makes the blue-collar world tick. I’m Colin, your host, and I’m sitting down with the people who keep our world running. From those tackling the tough jobs no one else dares to do, to the HR professionals working overtime to find the labor force we desperately need. Whether you’re in the trenches or behind the scenes, this podcast is for anyone who values hard work, determination, and stories that build the backbone of our workforce. So grab your gloves, your coffee, or your clipboard, it’s time to get to work.

**Colin**
Alright, today I’m sitting here with Jono. He is one of our awesome employees. We are here in Peru, Indiana, on part of a tour I’m doing to chat with as many of our employees as possible. I’m traveling over Ohio, Indiana, and some other locations getting to chat with them. So Jono, very nice to meet you. Thank you so much for all you do for Premiere.

**Jono**
Thank you for letting me have this opportunity to be part of your company and to have this interview with you. I’m excited to know you and meet you here. This is the first time I’m doing a kind of interview like this, and it’s amazing.

**Colin**
Awesome. Tell us a little bit about you, Jono, the person, and who you are outside of the work environment.

**Jono**
Well, it’s a long story. My background is in teaching. In my country, I used to teach different subjects like literature and English, among other languages. It was amazing to share different experiences with young people, old people, children. I have the spirit of working with different people and situations. I consider myself a leader because I can handle different temperaments. I also have some experience working on computers, which helped me a lot when I was teaching in my country.

Right now, I’ve been working at Metalex for about three years. It’s a great experience, and I’m learning new things. I’ve also learned how to drive a forklift, which makes the job easier now. At first, it was difficult, but now it’s good.

**Colin**
You came into working for Premiere with a completely different set of skills, right? Being a teacher is quite different from working in a melt facility. You’ve had experience around furnaces, heavy machinery, and you’ve driven equipment. It’s a whole new set of skills you’ve had to learn.

**Jono**
Exactly. It has been a challenging experience, but it’s exciting. The industry is cool; seeing how things are made is tactile and different from sitting behind a computer.

**Colin**
Where are you from originally?

**Jono**
I’m from Nicaragua. I came to the U.S. in 2022.

**Colin**
That’s awesome. I’m sure there are things you miss about home.

**Jono**
Yes, the food, the culture, the people, everything. Not having winters in northern Indiana was a big change.

**Colin**
Had you ever seen snow before you moved here?

**Jono**
No, last year was my first time seeing snow. It was quite an experience coming from a tropical climate where it never gets as cold as here.

**Colin**
Is there any food you miss from home?

**Jono**
Absolutely. We eat a lot of rice and beans, which is typical in my country. I miss the food, the different flavors and dishes.

**Colin**
Have you been enjoying the Mexican food here?

**Jono**
Yes, there’s a place close to my house that I enjoy.

**Colin**
You’ve been working in an aluminum melt facility, driving the forklift. Was this your first time around heavy industrial work with big furnaces and equipment?

**Jono**
Yes, it was my first time. I had never seen a forklift in person before, only on TV or in pictures. It was impressive.

**Colin**
I understand, my first time near the furnace, I was astounded by the heat. It’s significantly hot, over a thousand degrees.

**Jono**
Exactly. At first, it was difficult to adjust. I had never worked in such conditions. But now, I’m used to it and can manage it better.

**Colin**
Were those heavy ingots and slabs your first experience moving such weight with a forklift?

**Jono**
Yes, they are quite heavy, around 1,350 to 1,400 pounds, and moving them with a forklift was new to me.

**Colin**
You mentioned starting out with basic tasks and gradually taking on more responsibility. Has this been a slow process?

**Jono**
It was slow at first, but little by little, I learned the process and took on more responsibility. I started leading other employees who didn’t speak much English and gradually got comfortable with the roles.

**Colin**
Looking ahead, are you hoping for more opportunities at Premiere or at your current facility?

**Jono**
I hope so. It’s been a bit slow now, but I’m looking forward to more opportunities as they arise.

**Colin**
Across the metal markets, things have been slow, but we’re hopeful for a better upcoming year. So, I guess we’ll just wait and see.

**Jono**
Thank you for considering talking to us and understanding our work environment.

**Colin**
Absolutely. I wanted to get to know our employees because you all are the backbone of what we do, and it’s essential to have this connection. Is there anything you want to ask me?

**Jono**
Well, I’m excited to know you, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. What’s the goal of this interview? Is it just for social media or something more?

**Colin**
It’s a bit of both. We want to share stories and get to know our team better. It’s important to connect with those who work with us so we can support each other effectively.

**Jono**
It’s a great company, and we’re thankful to be part of it. We want to give our best and grow with it.

**Colin**
Thank you, Jono. Your contribution and willingness to learn and grow with us mean a lot. We are committed to providing opportunities for everyone, building a stable foundation where we can all thrive and support our families. Thank you for your time today, it was great getting to know you.

**Jono**
Likewise, I appreciate the chat and look forward to more interactions in the future. Thank you.