Women in Manufacturing: Kristina Gleeson — MECCO
In honor of national manufacturing month, we’re highlighting women in Southwestern PA working in manufacturing.
AlphaLab Gear offers the Scalable Innovation Program to take your product to the next stage of scale. We connect our network of experienced entrepreneurs to manufacturing experts in the region. Have questions on how to create your product locally in PA? Meet with our staff during our office hours, click here to reserve your time.
Name and Company: Kristina Gleeson, MECCO
Can you give us the elevator pitch on what your company does?
We partner with our customers to develop part marking solutions that help manufacturers prevent and/or minimize the impacts of adverse events, such as product recalls, mislabeled parts, and counterfeiting.
How did you develop this company or get involved in your role?
I started with MECCO four years ago as a content specialist. I had very little manufacturing background at that time. Over time, I got more involved in the technology details and overall marketing strategy, so when the opportunity arose to advance to the Marketing Lead position, I took it.
What types of companies do you work with?
We work with a range of manufacturing companies, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and O&G. We also serve the integrators and machine builders who help manufacturers develop and connect their processes.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Everyday I’m working on a different project and learning something new. We have a small but growing team, so we’re all used to tackling multiple projects at once. Above all, though, the people and our culture are what I most enjoy. MECCO has a very family-friendly vibe, and everyone helps each other. If I don’t have a babysitter one day or something is going on in my life, MECCO has been there for me. That’s not something you find with every company.
What is a challenge in manufacturing that you would like to tackle?
I have several thoughts here, including a wider adoption of digital marketing practices. Fortunately, MECCO is open minded in this area and invests in our marketing projects. But I’ve seen other manufacturing companies where marketing seems to take a back seat
However, I reached out to some other women at MECCO and asked for their opinions on this question. Many of us agreed the industry would benefit from a greater percentage of women at all levels of the organization. Our Director of People and Culture, Laura Buck, said she worked for manufacturing most of her career, and at the leadership level she was typically the only woman.
Can you tell us about a lesson you learned in your career?
Be assertive. Don’t be afraid to ask for more, to state your ideas, or to get a seat at the table.
What is one myth or common misconception people have about manufacturing?
It’s dirty or dull. Being from Pittsburgh, the image that always came to my mind was grinding gears and the smog of the steel mill days. Today, however, manufacturing is more about technology. MECCO laser markers use less power and zero consumables.
To learn more about MECCO, visit their website.
