Spotlight: Eddie Peterson

More than 15 years ago, at just about the time Andrew de Janasz brought the manufacturing of Deves piston rings to California from Sweden, Eddie Peterson joined the company. His early work in the aerospace industry gave him a deep interest in precision metal work with mechanical equipment, so the Deves operation presented an intriguing opportunity. Peterson became instrumental in developing the manufacturing procedures the company uses today.

As shop manager, Peterson is responsible for quality, production scheduling, training personnel, equipment maintenance and repair. He and his crew of four, however, function as a quality team. He says, "We have to think together," explaining that the team adjusts their assignments to meet a current goal. His biggest challenge is to make sure that each person is kept busy productively, not in the sense of someone standing around, but in seeing that the right task assignments to meet, say a rush job deadline, are made.

"Everyone covers everyone else," says Peterson, "so it's knowing which of my guys does what the best. We are always striving for quality of product," he adds, "always striving for improvement."

Away from the shop, Peterson relaxes with his drums, a serious avocation that includes playing with a rock band for a number of years. Rock'n roll in any form is his choice of music, including, ironically enough considering his daily work, heavy metal.