Sean Rezin
STI/SPFA recently spoke with Sean Rezin, Executive Vice President of USEMCO, about his career in the steel fabrication industry.
STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of your company.
Sean Rezin: USEMCO is a family-owned business founded by Robert Rezin in 1963 right here in Tomah, Wisc. Back then, we operated out of a single building.
Fast forward to today, and things look a lot different. We’ve grown to over 100,000 square feet across four large facilities, and we’re still expanding. All our manufacturing is done in-house, which gives us total control over quality and customization.
When we first started, our focus was on building products for the municipal water industry—helping communities manage their water and wastewater needs. Over the years, our capabilities and expertise have grown, and so has our reach. Today, USEMCO’s branded products also serve industries like transportation, HVAC, energy, and oil and gas, providing innovative solutions for a wide range of challenges.
What began with just a handful of employees has grown into a team of a few hundred, and our workload and capabilities have evolved in ways we couldn’t have imagined. But through all the growth, we’ve stayed true to our roots—delivering reliable, high-quality solutions for our customers.
STI/SPFA: How did you get your start in the industry?
Rezin: I was always interested in USEMCO since it was our family business, so I went to Engineering school at the University of Wisconsin for Mechanical Engineering. Out of college, I went to work for Mechanical Systems Inc. in Madison, Wisc. My experience there with fabrication and construction grew my interest a little bit more.
In 2014, I decided to come home and work for USEMCO. When I started, I was very focused on the manufacturing side of things. In the last 3 years, I have moved into my leadership role.
STI/SPFA: Who has inspired you in your career?
Rezin: My dad, Pat Rezin, was a role model for me. Naturally, I was always interested in what he was doing and trying to be more like him. Being able to see him work a little bit in the summers in college was really when I started to picture myself having a lifelong career at USEMCO. Seeing the leadership in action is always really inspiring to me.
FLAMESHIELD Aboveground Storage Tank
STI/SPFA: What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Rezin: I think the biggest challenge so far has been finding ways to effectively communicate to team members and customers from different generations. There is such a wide range of age groups in the workforce, particularly in manufacturing, and they all respond differently to different styles of communication.
STI/SPFA: What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the industry?
Rezin: I’ve learned the importance of being more patient and listening attentively. Even if what others are sharing doesn’t seem significant to you, it may hold great importance to them. It’s crucial to give people the time and attention they deserve, acknowledging their perspective and what’s meaningful to them.
STI/SPFA: What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the industry in the next three to five years?
Rezin: Without a doubt it is replacing the experience and skills of the previous generation. We have started to see some of that and in certain instances, we are figuring out ways to apply new technologies and processes to accomplish this. In other areas, it is more difficult.
STI/SPFA: How has STI/SPFA Membership helped you and your company succeed and grow in today’s marketplace?
Rezin: STI/SPFA has provided many resources that help us, but the major benefit to us is the relationships. Having that network of fabricators and affiliates has been such a huge benefit. We collaborate and help each other with different issues that we face every day.
