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57-year veteran tool- and diemaker “started somewhere”

Diemaker makes his mark … as a teacher

Before he became a tool- and diemaker apprentice program manager for Weiss-Aug, East Hanover, N.J., Paul Rettberg was an engineering and tooling manager. Before that, a customer service manager, account manager, and toolroom manager. Before that, a design manager, designer, and draftsman. A tool- and diemaker before that; an apprentice tool- and diemaker before that.

And before he worked in all of those positions, he had never worked on a machine before “other than my car. I had no idea what was in store for me,” Rettberg said.

You gotta start somewhere, right?

“I graduated from high school in 1959 and spent the next two-plus years doing odd jobs. My mom saw an ad in the paper for a tool- and diemaker apprentice opening and she handed it to me. Not knowing anything about what it meant, I called and set up an interview, and I was hired. Just as it is today, the apprenticeship was a four-year program,” Rettberg recalled. “From the first day, it almost felt like this opportunity was meant for me.”

Rettberg worked as an apprentice tool- and diemaker at Republic Tool, then worked for Troy Tool Products, and then for Dieter Weissenrieder and Kurt Augustin at Weiss-Aug since 1969.

Rettberg’s expertise is well-known in the industry. Although he has not sought awards or special attention, the U.S. Department of Labor has asked him to speak on numerous occasions on tool- and diemaking as a career path. “My hope is that anything that promotes opportunities in the manufacturing trades will give others who are looking for a path to their future a direction to follow.”

But most of the recognition he has received has been from his grateful and respectful apprentices.

“Having the opportunity to work for Paul has been simply life-changing. It is an experience that I would not trade for anything. He taught me how to become a tool- and diemaker with passion and an understanding that nothing comes overnight,” apprentice Derek Hart said, adding, “I will always be grateful.”

Rettberg, too, is grateful. “The fact that the company saw something in me which allowed me to have the many positions that I did over the years is the only recognition I needed.” He added, “Being with just one company for 47 years is something I am very proud of.”

Of all of the positions Rettberg has held, he has enjoyed his current one the most, he said, (See “Have a tool- and diemaker shortage?” Jan./Feb. 2016 STAMPING Journal, p. 24.)

“I think the best one has been what I am doing right now—teaching and preparing individuals in the art of tool- and diemaking—being in a position to help someone else to learn what I have learned. Just like me back then, they grow from not knowing what a milling machine is to running CNC, W-EDM equipment with tremendous skill and doing it flawlessly. I get so much satisfaction from that.”

Rettberg added, “These individuals are the future of this company. Knowing that I helped put them in a position that they can flourish in is the greatest reward I could receive.”

Images courtesy of Weiss-Aug Co., East Hanover, N.J.

Weiss-Aug Co., 973-887-7600, www.weiss-aug.com

About the Author

Kate Bachman

Contributing editor

815-381-1302

Kate Bachman is a contributing editor for The FABRICATOR editor. Bachman has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor in the manufacturing and other industries.