Ajax Metal Forming Systems—A METALFORM EDU Fan from the Start

In its 80th year, Ajax Metal Forming Systems boasts 100-plus employees across three U.S. locations: its headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, as well as plants in Wilson, NC, and Tucson, AZ. The Ajax team is versed in all facets of sheet metal-part production and assembly, including stamping, laser cutting, CNC turret punching, press brake forming and welding, as well as tool build and maintenance for all of its processes.

Ajax management developed its apprenticeship program in 1993, and since has remained dedicated to enhancing the skills of its workforce. Today, the Ajax training lineup includes PMA’s METALFORM EDU online training program.  

Designed specifically for new and existing employees in the metal forming industry, METALFORM EDU provides more than 850 training courses—from foundational skills in core math, communication, problem-solving, soft skills and personal development, to industry-related skills in precision measurement, blueprint reading, SPC, CNC, Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, safety and more. Of the available courses, more than 60 were developed by PMA subject-matter experts on stamping press and press brake operator training, die setting, die protection, lockout/tagout, and other key topics.

First User in 2019

“We’ve used PMA’s Onboarding ME video for years before investing in METALFORM EDU in 2019,” says Brandon Holmes, Ajax VP of operations. “Prior to that, we used the local technical colleges as resources for sheet metal stamping and fabrication courses. Unfortunately, the colleges discontinued those courses.”

The lack of available outside training led Ajax to develop its own training regimen, the Ajax Academy, which still runs through Pine Technical and Community College, about 1 hr. away from the Ajax Minneapolis location. Academy instruction, 90% online and 10% hands-on at Ajax, includes Ajax-specific safety, machine, policy and procedure courses.

As a complement to the Ajax Academy, in 2019 the longtime PMA member became the first user company—Holmes actually was the first individual enrollee—of newly introduced METALFORM EDU.

“It’s ease of use and cost-effectiveness is spot-on,” Holmes says, noting that Ajax employs METALFORM EDU for new-employee onboarding and orientation, and so much more. “We also use it as 30-, 60- and 90-day check-ins for all of our trial-for-hires. After satisfactorily completing all of the courses for the 90-day check-in, we can hire them full-time. Ajax makes a time investment (and a monetary investment, as this training—a couple of hours per week—takes place on the clock) in the trial-for-hires, and they also make time investments and invest in themselves. The check-in training shows who is engaged and who wants to learn, and we place those people on the team full-time going forward.”