Company Announcement - Superior Industries, Inc., a major American manufacturer and global supplier of bulk processing and handling systems, recently hosted a high school welding competition at its corporate headquarters in Morris, Minnesota. More than 60 high school students from Minnesota competed in the event held at the manufacturer’s on campus weld training school. “It’s important for us to celebrate welding as a career choice and essential to connect our students to industries with welding career opportunities,” said Natasha Mortenson, the chief coordinator of the competition and high school teacher in the Morris, Minnesota School District.
The event proved to be challenging and very rewarding for the participating students, Mortenson said. “Based on the positive feedback, I expect the competition to grow in the future and offer students and industries a strong connection to one another.”
After judging, the top ten finishers were recognized for their strong welding skills with prizes. First place was awarded a brand new Lincoln Electric Welder, a welding helmet and one week of complimentary training at Superior’s welding school. Second place also received a new welder and third place received a torch kit from ESAB Welding & Cutting Products.
According to Superior’s weld training instructor, Dave Dybdal, students were given 35 minutes to weld a plate formed into a 90 to another plate, then weld pipe to one side of the plate and tube to the other. “Competitors were graded on proper weld bead placement and uniformity, plus blue print reading and other skills by a seven person professional judging panel,” he said.