Tim Hutchinson
Tim Hutchinson, Maintenance Manager, Olympic Steel, Winder, GA
Epitomizes Olympic Steel's Core Values. Dedicated to finding a solution. Believes your work ethic guides your success.
Tim Hutchinson began his career with Olympic Steel in 2014 as the Maintenance Manager for the Winder, GA location. While working full-time, he also attended school to earn his industrial and electrical certifications. With over 35 years of experience in maintenance, Tim is an important part of what keeps the division running smoothly.
Rodney Whidby, Operations Manager at Olympic Steel Winder, GA facility, says this: “Tim epitomizes Olympic Steel’s Core Values through his dedication to Safety, Quality, and Integrity. His proactive maintenance strategies ensure a secure work environment for our people and processes. His leadership fosters Teamwork and his focus on Employee Development showcases his role as a mentor and advocate for growth. He holds himself accountable and is committed to delivering superior results - setting a high standard for others to follow. Tim is an invaluable resource in the South, and I can safely say we would not be the division we are today without his help.”
As a maintenance team member, Tim gets to experience big and small projects. And he’s proud of every project, as long as it’s complete and there’s a positive outcome. When asked to recall his proudest moment or significant contribution, he recalled his involvement in the opening of the Buford, GA division.
He explains, “We (Tim and Rodney) led the process of moving equipment from Winder to Buford. It took us three months, working with vendors and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to make it happen. At Winder, we kept the processing equipment and added stamping presses – installing those machines at the same time the equipment moved into Buford. It was a big challenge with a lot of moving parts.”
When asked what programs or support have helped him most during his career, Tim said, “Maintenance is a little different from other departments, because we have to have support from everyone. Machine operators help us troubleshoot issues, and Supervisors, operations, scheduling and leadership support is essential in allowing us to do our job successfully.”
Tim likes coming to work each day because every day is different and offers a new challenge. He tackles those challenges by “diving into it!” He explains, “I try to look at what’s required. Then, I start picking away at it. I don’t like to let problems get the better of me, so I don’t stop until I figure it out.”
Luckily, Tim has a great team that he relies on to help get things done. In fact, Teamwork is the Core Value he feels he best represents because “we always have two or three things going into our projects and we need to manage all of that at once. We can’t do it without relying on our team to work well together.”
Tim shows his dedication to the team in all things, not just when maintaining the facility. He’s a regular supporter of the division’s Working for Wishes campaign, often donating fishing trips to help raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
Tim looks forward to eventually retiring and spending his days fly fishing. Until then, he says he’ll keep enjoying what he’s doing and offers this advice for others who want to build a successful career and enjoy what they’re doing, too: “Don’t let other people’s setbacks or attitude get in the way of your success. Have a strong work ethic, and always do your part to keep things moving forward.”
