Steel King People

For more than 28 years, Steel King’s Dan Wierzba has helped design such systems. It’s a job he loves, but hadn’t thought about in his younger days, noting that many people today still don’t understand the breadth of the material handling industry. Becoming an architect was one of his interests, which he got a taste of in high school drafting classes, where he gained a working knowledge of blueprints and design.

While he’s not an engineer, he has a deep knowledge of how various racking systems and storage products can be the best solution for a customer’s needs. Combined with great communication skills and a keen sense of how to work with people in various situations, he’s enjoyed a great career at Steel King – skills which have helped keep the company in the forefront of its material handling sector.

We asked Dan to describe his role at Steel King, and to share some insights about the company and its place in the industry.

What’s a day at work like for you?

I spend the majority of my typical day communicating and answering questions for our distributor salespeople, along with providing quotations to them for our various product lines. In addition, I work with our engineering group to correctly design and quote rack systems and also work with order entry to get orders entered into our system. Every day is different.

 What skills does someone in your role need?

There are five skills that are key to my work:

1. 1. Good communication skills, whether it be on the phone, in person or via email. I need to work with people within the walls of Steel King, as well as outside vendors and distributor salespeople.
   2. A good sense of humor. Things will not always go the way you think they will, so having a good sense of humor to deal with it all is a plus. It’s also important in working with people who have various skill sets.
   3. I deal with many different people – from entry-level positions to highly technical engineers, so I have to be able to adapt my techniques in communicating with whomever that may be.
   4. Good math skills. I use math skills in many things that I do each day, whether it be simply doing quantity takeoff counts on a project, to calculating more technical needs.
   5. Knowledge of working in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.).

What has kept you motivated to stay with the company for so long?

I really enjoy the variety of what my job entails, as it seems like no two days are ever the same. One day it might be very technical in working through a quotation request, to another day being much simpler needs of just trying to get an order into our system. It also has been very rewarding to see how our company has grown over the years, not only with quantity of people, but in our processes and capabilities.

I also enjoy the relationships I have built with some of the distributor salespeople with whom I have worked with over the years, while I help them solve their storage problems.

How has your role and work changed over the years? 

When I started everything was much more manual. We used to hand-write all of our quotes and orders, then turn them over to someone who typed them up on a typewriter and physically mailed them out. Shortly after I started, we purchased a fax machine and that was a huge step in communication, especially as far as quotes and purchase orders are concerned. Receiving or sending quotes and purchase orders within the same day became a reality.

I used to spend more of my day on the phone, people had to call for everything they needed. Now, digital communications are important, such as for someone being able to take a photo of something with their cell phone and emailing or texting it.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while working here?

Probably the stress of doing what we do each day, while trying to obtain and provide needed information both ways in the chain of events that a project goes through. Like any occupation, there will be stressful days trying to work through a situation with deadlines and expectations, and other days when I can secure an order and sit back for just a few minutes to feel good about what I’ve accomplished.

Based on your work, how have you seen Steel King evolving over the years?

Absolutely we’ve evolved, not only in the products that we provide but also in our internal systems. Our manufacturing processes – especially our boltless style racking product line – probably has seen the most automation in manufacturing over the years. Those advancements would include automation in the painting process, robotic welding and handling of material in general while manufacturing, all for the betterment of the end product. By continually improving our processes, it’s allowed us to have probably have the best boltless style racking product line in the industry that includes a fully closed tubular design and durable powder coat paint finish.

From your perspective, how has the industry changed over the years?

Because consumers want everything more quickly than in the past, warehousing and storage rack systems need to accommodate this demand, which requires smarter systems. Racking systems over the years have become much larger and taller, as real estate is becoming more expensive. Automation is also a requirement with many storage facilities now as warehouses are more complex to meet the quicker needs.

Steel King is very involved with industry organizations like RMH, MHEDA and so on, which I believe keeps us on the cusp of all of the latest trends in the market, both from the consumer needs and our manufacturing advancements.

What advice would you give to someone just starting at the company?

The material handling industry has huge opportunities available for someone who wants to put in the time to better themselves. I believe it all starts with building relationships within the industry and with distributors and their customers, as deep down these people are striving to have someone help them solve their storage problems, but they need someone who is willing to teach them and they can place their trust in. The more you build their trust, hard work builds success in what you can accomplish.

What did you want to be growing up?

As a child I wanted to be a firefighter like one of my uncles or an architect like (dating myself here) Mr. Brady on “The Brady Bunch” TV series.

What’s the best advice you were ever given?

Continue to be humble, no matter how great you think you are. If you need to continuously tell people how great you are at something, you probably aren’t that good at it. If you’re truly good at something, people will take notice and gladly compliment you along the way.

Who have you looked up to in your career?

In my years here at Steel King, there are two people who I have looked up to:

1. 1. Garry Grzesiak, who retired from here several years ago was a design engineer. He worked at Steel King from its inception and eventually. Garry was a no-nonsense kind of guy who came to put in a hard day’s work every day and was self-taught in many ways. I always found Garry to be an excellent source of knowledge and willing to go the extra mile if I was willing to do the same.
   2. Kevin Curry, who also retired from Steel King a few years ago, was one of our national account managers. He put in countless hours on weekends and evenings to sell our products, with some of the largest known domestic and international companies out there.I always felt like Kevin had the keen ability to build many relationships throughout his career, relationships that allowed his contacts to trust him and prosper their companies. These relationships that Kevin built over the years, clearly allowed him to reap the benefits for our company and him personally, which I admire.

What do you do away from work? (hobbies, volunteering, etc.)

I bike 3-4 times a week and enjoy it not only for exercise, but also to just get out and see what’s going on in the community. I enjoy working in my yard, as I find it very relaxing for the mind. I also enjoy collecting sports memorabilia and attending local and state sporting events.

I believe that everyone should find the time to volunteer for something that they enjoy doing, as communities need volunteers to keep programs running. I personally find volunteering very rewarding and have volunteered over the years for Special Olympics, teach Junior Achievement classes, coach youth sports and mentor middle school and junior high students.

Something most people don’t know about you?

I have been a girls’ assistant high school basketball coach for the past seven years. I enjoy coaching youth sports and have done so now for the past 18 years. I first started by coaching our son in flag/tackle football, league/travel baseball and travel basketball, while also coaching our daughter in league softball and travel basketball. I was asked seven years ago to join the girls’ high school team here in Stevens Point and have entered my seventh year this summer.  Keeps me extremely busy during the winter months, as I spend 6-7 days a week in a gym somewhere, but it also helps the winter months fly by faster.

Family info:

My wife Tammy and I have been married for almost 34 years and have a son and daughter. Our son attended college for two years and currently works full time at Menards, but will be going back to school this fall. Our daughter will soon be starting her third year of college at UW-La Crosse and is planning a career in the medical field, hopefully in radiation therapy. We have a 2-year old goldendoodle dog named Cooper that keeps us well entertained.

• What’s a day in the life at work like for you?
  Manage and support a clear, obtainable manufacturing schedule that aligns with customer expectations.
• What’s the best advice you were given?
  Know thyself.
• What skills does someone in your role need?
  It is very important in my role to have great communication, and organizational skills. Being able to manage multiple projects and meet vital deadlines are crucial in providing exceptional customer service.
• What do you do away from work?
  As a father of 2 boys my days are always full of activities. When I do get free time I enjoy a round of golf, and spending time with friends and family.
• What made you choose Steel King?
  I chose Steel King based on the core values it was built upon. I enjoy being apart of a company that cares about its employees and offers room to grow within.
  

• What’s a day in the life at work like for you?
  “Working on projects/orders that are assigned to me, reviewing all the sales info from the distributor/customer to see what’s needed. Interact with sales and/or customers to get a full understanding of what the distributor/customer wants. Designing any new parts that need to be created (models and mfg. drawings). Building rack layouts and detailed drawings of all the racking details and accessories for customer approvals and installation drawings. Once approved by the customer, complete paperwork that includes all hardware needed for the job and closing out all internal tasks.”
• What’s the best advice you were ever given?
  “Keep an open mind to all things and have a constant thought of others.”
• What skills does someone in your role need?
  “Having a mechanical eye or be mechanically inclined.”
• What do you do away from work?
  “Look after my 95 yr. old mother (which is a blessing), volunteer building things in a large community garden, and hanging out with childhood friends and cooking.”
• What made you choose Steel King?
  “I didn’t choose Steel King; Steel King chose me. I got a call one day from a job agency
  for Steel King. He found me on LinkedIn due to my pallet racking experience in Ireland.”
• Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?
  “I would like to give the next 5-10 years to Steel King and help in the continuing success of Steel King.”
• If you could visit any place, where would it be and why?
  “Japan is on my to do list of places to go. They have an incredible history.”
• What did you want to be growing up?
  “I wanted to be a U.S. Marine.”
• What celebrities do people think you look like?
  “Spike Lee.”

• What’s a day in the life at work like for you?
  “A day in the life as a Recruiter is filled with diverse tasks. No two days are ever the same, which keeps the role exciting and fast-paced. My day typically starts with reviewing resumes and screening candidates, identifying top talent that aligns with our company’s needs and culture. Throughout the day, I may conduct phone screenings, schedule interviews, and coordinate with hiring managers to ensure a smooth recruitment process. I also spend time networking, reaching out to potential candidates through various channels, attending Hiring events, and much more. Additionally, I handle administrative tasks such as updating job postings and facilitating the onboarding process for new hires.”
• What’s the best advice you were ever given?
  “The best advice I’ve ever received is to remember that ‘your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, and how you leave others after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.’ This quote resonates with me deeply because it emphasizes the importance of authenticity, kindness, and leaving a positive impression on others. I strive to embody this advice in both my personal and professional life, understanding that the way I interact with others shapes my reputation and impacts the relationships I build. By prioritizing genuine connections, empathy, and positivity, I aim to leave a lasting and meaningful impact on everyone I encounter.”
• What skills does someone in your role need?
  “In my role, being a people person is essential. Building relationships with candidates, understanding their needs, and effectively communicating with them are crucial aspects of recruiting. Additionally, the ability to multitask is indispensable. Recruiting often involves managing multiple tasks simultaneously, from sourcing candidates to coordinating interviews and managing job offers. Being able to prioritize and juggle these tasks efficiently ensures that no candidate falls through the cracks and that hiring processes run smoothly. Adaptability, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail are also valuable traits for success in this role.”
• What do you do away from work?
  “I am the Co-Founder of a non-profit organization, SiStar Society Academy of Excellence in Appleton WI. Where we offer a supportive community for young minority girls to thrive and learn valuable life skills. In addition, I am a new GiGi (grandmother) to a bouncing baby boy so my plate is full!”
• What made you choose Steel King?
  “Choosing to work at Steel King was an easy decision for me. The company’s culture immediately resonated with me, and I found myself surrounded by supportive colleagues who understood my passion for recruiting. Additionally, the stability that Steel King offers in doing what I love gives me the confidence to excel in my role and make a meaningful impact. Overall, Steel King provides the perfect combination of culture, people, and stability, making it an ideal fit for me professionally and personally.”
• Something most people don’t know about me?
  “One aspect of my life that many people may not be aware of is the health challenges I’ve faced. In 2005, I was diagnosed with a rare condition known as Chiari malformation, which led to multiple brain surgeries and a permanent VP Shunt (a permanent tube inserted into my brain to help regulate pressure). Navigating through these difficult times was certainly not easy. However, overcoming these obstacles has instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude, reminding me to cherish every moment and embrace life to the fullest extent possible.”
• Family info:
  “I’m the fourth of five siblings and a proud mother of three wonderful children: two boys aged 25 and 23, and a lovely 13-year-old daughter. Recently, I’ve had the joy of becoming a grandma (GiGI), to a precious baby boy born on April 22nd.”

• What’s a day in the life at work like for you?
  “Majority of the day is spent working with customers to figure out what type of rack they are looking for and getting them a precise quote with the materials they need in a timely manner. Other parts of my day are spent working with engineering to see how we can support very heavy loads or out of the ordinary products. Also, working with design on orders to make sure we have functionality built into every order we send out.”
• What’s the best advice you were ever given?
  “It’s essential to keep in mind that no matter how bad your day can be, it should never spill over into your interactions with other people around you. As good leadership involves keeping a positive attitude with everyone you meet.”
• What skills does someone in your role need?
  “Ability to use AutoCAD, mathematical skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office, Be able to make quick decisions. Works well in a team environment.”
• What do you do away from work?
  “In my free time I enjoy going skiing, hiking, hunting, anything outdoors, and working on vehicles. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.”
• What made you choose Steel King?
  “Steel King to me is reputable company with opportunities to grow and support me in growing my career. The people here are amazing to work with, very helpful, and friendly.”