Tags: Who’s Who Series
Throughout our 47 years, The Macomb Group has acquired and cultivated some of the best talent in the PVF industry. The Who’s Who Series aims to shine the spotlight on these icons whose years of expertise and experience have proven to be invaluable in our growth as a company and whose legacy will help the future of this company.
Our Who’s Who Series continues with Steve Mouat. While he wasn’t always in the PVF industry, Steve found his way to The Macomb Group through doing roofing on the side. His Uncle Gary Stabile was working for a mechanical contractor, a customer of The Macomb Group and as luck would have it, owner and President Bill McGivern needed a new roof. Gary recommended that Bill reach out to Steve Mouat and his team to install the roof. When the time came for Steve to find a new career, the natural choice was to work at a growing company with great opportunities. Steve works at our headquarters in Sterling Heights as the Warehouse Manager and has generously offered up some insight to the longevity of his career and the PVF industry itself.
Q: How did you get into the PVF Industry? How many years have you been in the industry?
A: I was working for Wells Fargo Security Company, which was located in Ann Arbor and about to merge with another company. I lived in Roseville at the time, so I decided to look elsewhere for a new job. My Uncle Gary Stabile, who worked for a mechanical contractor at that time, told me about Macomb Pipe and Supply. I met with Bill McGivern. It wasn’t the first time we had met because I had recently put a new roof on his house. Ever since that day, I have been part of the Macomb group, which marks 31 years this month.
Q: Was there a mentor or someone who helped show you the ropes when you started out? What is the best piece of advice they gave you?
A: When I started at Macomb Pipe and Supply, we were a lot smaller. Bill McGivern, Keith Schatko and Doug Howe were my biggest mentors. I was new to the industry, but all 3 were very patient and took me under their wings and taught me the ins and outs of operations.
Q: Sometimes we learn the most when things go wrong. Do you have an example of that in your career?
A: Some tasks were new to me, like loading and unloading pipe trucks. One day we had stacked some pipe against a brick wall and there was a residential neighborhood on the other side. The pipe started to roll, it tapped the wall, and a loose bundle of 6-inch pipe broke the wall and landed in the neighbor’s backyard. What a mess! But the neighbor was understanding because he was a customer of ours and he was thankful his dog wasn’t outside at the time.
Q: What advice would you give newcomers entering the PVF Industry?
A: Work hard and learn as much as possible, because knowledge is power. You can be helpful in multiple departments and help customers at the will call counter and in the field. Situations can change in a moment, and you need to be quick and adaptable.
Q: What would you say has changed the most since starting in the industry?
A: Technology, products, and our company’s growth have changed since I started in this industry. We have expanded into multiple states, and we are able to service our many customers throughout the country. We take pride in our service and knowledge.
Q: What do you think has made you most successful in your position?
A: I think being able to listen and communicate with others, make decisions (right or wrong) and learn from them are important for success. So is earning the respect of your coworkers and knowing the bosses support you.
Q: What has kept you in the industry for so long?
A: I’ve been offered different opportunities during my time at the Macomb Group, but I chose to stay because I learned that everything runs through a pipe. This industry is here to stay. Once we started to expand and grow, that’s when I realized this would be a career in which I would be able to provide for my family, and going forward. I wanted to be part of the success.
Q: What is different about The Macomb Group? What makes them the best choice for the customer?
A: The difference is the size of The Macomb Group now and what we can do. However, we haven’t changed the personal customer service that we have always provided. As we grew, we started new divisions for example, fabrication, hose manufacturing, and valve actuating. We can provide many different services to our customers. We are built to say Yes!
Q: What is one of your favorite customer success stories?
A: All the deliveries to our customers are a success but there is one special delivery that stands out in my mind. Back in 2012, on a Sunday morning, we made a delivery to our customer, Western Mechanical, in the First National Building in downtown Detroit. They used a helicopter lift to raise a 14-inch carbon steel pipe on to the roof of the building. There wasn’t any other way to bring this pipe inside the building, so it had to be lowered onto the roof for installation. With the help from the city, police department and the mechanical contractor, this delivery was a huge success!
Q: What would you tell the younger version of yourself when you were starting out based on what you have learned over the years?
A: To learn EVERYTHING about this industry, because throughout the company, there are many different departments that you can move up to. But also take time with family. Succeeding in my career has always been important to me but so is my family and spending quality time with them.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, my family and my grandchildren. I also love BBQing, smoking meats and making homemade sausage. Once a year my family, friends and I make around 1200 lbs. of sausage. We usually make 4 different kinds of sausage and are starting to try new flavors.
Q: Is it true you are known as an “icon” in the PVF industry?
A: I don’t think I’m known as an “icon”. I’m just a guy who started in the industry, who wanted to work, and liked to work and wanted to succeed. As we grew as a company, I realized I wanted to make it my career, not just a job. Some days are harder than others and sometimes it may seem impossible to get through, but with a good team behind you, problems get solved. I would like to thank all The Macomb Group team for making my career here
About The Macomb Group:
The Macomb Group is a leading wholesale distributor of pipe, valves and fittings. Founded in 1977, the company now has 30 service branches and over 700 employees in 11 states including Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The Macomb Group serves a diverse mix of end markets, including automotive, food and beverage, general manufacturing, hospitals, schools, power plants, and general industry.
For more information, please call (888) 756-4110 or visit us at www.macombgroup.com.
