At Wal-Tek Industries, we understand that nothing is more important than having a supportive and growth-oriented company culture. Every success we’ve achieved stems from the foundation of trust and shared purpose that defines our people.
Every member of our team contributes to our culture of growth and collaboration. Continue reading to discover what this positive workplace looks like and hear from some of our Q2 MVPs about what working at Wal-Tek means to them.
Why Company Culture Is So Important
You can have the best CNC machining services, state-of-the-art tube laser cutting systems, and advanced fabrication equipment, but if your culture is broken, your results will be too. Poor culture leads to poor performance, low morale, and high turnover, and those three things are the stuff of every precision machine shop owner’s nightmares. While some companies manage to survive without a great culture, they rarely thrive.
At Wal-Tek, we’ve learned that when you create a place where people feel seen, heard, and valued, they give their best effort because they want to, not just because they have to. That mindset has shaped everything we do, from our production services to our relationships with customers and suppliers.
Leading with purpose and integrity
When President Brandon Brooks purchased Wal-Tek Industries, he knew the one thing that was most important to him: to preserve the company culture and put its people first. He knew that if the wrong leader took over, the integrity and heart of the business could disappear, and that didn’t sit right with him.
Brandon’s leadership philosophy is to be a leader worth following. It’s easy to tell people what to do; it’s harder to lead by example, with respect and accountability. But it’s the right thing to do.
He’s built a team where open communication and radical candor are the norm, where employees are encouraged to speak up about ways our organization can continue to improve.
Radical candor: Building stronger teams through open communication
The tough conversations aren’t always easy, but they’re critical for growing teams and improving outcomes. At Wal-Tek, radical candor means having open, honest discussions about what’s working (and what’s not), so every team member has a clearly defined path to grow. It’s about collaboration, not criticism, and ensuring each individual has the tools, training, and trust they need to succeed.
This approach has been instrumental in creating a culture where people feel a sense of ownership in their work. No matter their unique role, every employee understands how their efforts impact the final product and support our customers’ goals.
Investing in People, Technology, and the Future of Wal-Tek
Our company culture extends to how we invest not just in machines, but in our people. Through partnerships like our collaboration with Grand Canyon University, we’ve created career pathways for students interested in manufacturing.
Take Trace Scifres, a Junior Quality Inspector and GCU student. Trace joined Wal-Tek as part of our first intern class and quickly became one of our star performers. “I never came across a place that was so open and communicative,” he says. Trace has been grateful to be trained on impactful equipment like our CMM inspection tools. He also values working at a tech-forward company that invests in tools and processes to improve efficiency, including supplying each team member with a digital tablet. Moreover, Trace appreciates how Wal-Tek’s values of integrity and kindness align with his own faith and morality.
Then there’s Cade Pelton, a Setup Machinist who’s been with Wal-Tek for over three and a half years. He started as a shop hand and has progressed in his career by working hard and approaching new challenges with an open mind. Additionally, Cade took the initiative to pursue Mastercam programming training, and Wal-Tek covered the cost to support his career goal of becoming an engineer. “Knowing that Brandon will invest in his team makes me want to work harder for him,” Cade says.
How Culture Impacts Our Customers
A positive, stable workplace benefits our employees, but it also benefits our customers. We’re proud of our employee retention here at Wal-Tek Industries. Because people love working here, every job is handled with care and consistency.
Our customers can trust that their parts are in capable hands when they partner with our expert team. Cade says it best: “I think we have one of the best teams in the Valley.”
If you’re interested in partnering with a team of people who care deeply about their craft, their coworkers, and your success, don’t hesitate to reach out to Wal-Tek Industries today to get started on your next project.
