Local Jobs - job08

POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008

MARITIME: Welding an up-and-coming demand

No matter how much the business grows, one need remains constant for the boat builders at All American Marine: more aluminum welders.

"It's a specialty within welding, and there's not a big amount of experienced aluminum welders out there," says Del McAlpine, the company's controller.

All American Marine has worked with Bellingham Technical College and Skagit Valley College, both of which have added aluminum welding segments to their programs.

BTC offers a two-year welding program where students can work toward a general welding degree or specialize in areas such as pipe welding or aluminum welding. It introduced the aluminum option in 2007.

"We knew it would be an up-and-coming demand," says Susan Parker, the school's interim associate dean. "It's key in providing welding to refineries and other businesses that need it."

All American Marine has been building aluminum boats since 1987: passenger ferries, eco-tour boats, work boats and research craft. On average, it produces four or five vessels a year, usually ranging from 65 to 85 feet in length and selling for $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

In the past five years, revenues averaged about a 25 percent annual jump, CEO Matt Mullett says. That has led to good job growth - the addition of four or five positions a year, an increase from 23 to 42 employees during that span.

Mullett says the company much prefers building a stable, year-round work force over the method of urgent hiring in busy times that often results in layoffs. It's part of a larger business approach: going smooth and steady.

"We're not looking for the home run," Mullett says. "We're not revving up for one contract or to sell to a big company. We're satisfied with the base hits."

The company has three main divisions of labor: welders and fabricators (15 in all); systems installers (including plumbers, electricians and hydraulic specialists) and a finish crew that does carpentry work and painting among other tasks. Workers typically earn $18 to $22 an hour.

"Flexibility is a real benefit for us," McAlpine says. "Getting people who are able to cross over to other crafts areas. The more cross skills they have is better for them and us."

Mullett and McAlpine do some networking to ask about possible hires, occasionally use a recruiter and at times benefit from word-of-mouth connections, including suggestions from employees.

Turnover hasn't been a big problem.

"We've taken a smaller, family-type approach to running a business," Mullett says. "And the variety of work is huge. You're not doing the same work every week."

Bob Carter is a White Rock, B.C., freelance writer and former editor for The Bellingham Herald.