STI/SPFA recently spoke with Steve Munn, President of Pressure Vessel Engineering (PVENG), about his career in the steel fabrication industry.
STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of your company.
Steve Munn: Pressure Vessel Engineering (PVENG) is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm specializing in pressurized equipment. The company was founded in 1999 to help fabricators with ASME code calculations and CRN registration, and we have grown to include many additional services including various stress analyses using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Pipe Stress Analysis.
We have grown because we focus on our people, and our people are dedicated to delivering solutions to our clients. We value being able to adapt and learn, developing collaborative relationships that strengthen both our customers and PVENG.
We support fabricators, end users and other engineering firms by providing as much or as little assistance as required. We can provide a full solution or help your team with any part of their design. Many companies have their own engineering department to support them, but sometimes they run into a design element that is out of their comfort zone and that’s when they get us involved.
STI/SPFA: How did you get your start in the industry?
Munn: I have worked in a variety of steel fabrication facilities over the years, beginning with an OEM equipment manufacturer of snowplows, dump bodies and soil compactors. From there I spent a couple of years at a spring forming facility before joining a custom fab shop that had a U stamp and occasionally built hydrocyclone pressure vessels. It was here that I was first exposed to the ASME Code.
This led me to PVENG working as a technologist on code calculations. I remember in the early days running an FEA on cyclones that were being built at the fab shop where I used to work, the same ones I had drawn up in the past. I was one of the early employees and as a small company, we all wore many hats. This allowed me to continue to grow and 22 years later I’m still with PVENG, helping others grow too.
STI/SPFA: What do you like best about working in the industry?
Munn: Hands down, the people we work with. The people surrounding us have a huge impact on happiness. Being able to surround yourself with genuinely good people that treat others right and take pride in their work makes coming to work enjoyable.
Secondary would be the variety of work we do. We are constantly involved in different types of projects, in a wide variety of industries. This keeps things fresh and always provides opportunities to learn and grow.
A detailed 3D rendering of a heat exchanger similar to ones designed by PVENG, illustrating its internal components and engineering design. Image courtesy of API Basco.
STI/SPFA: What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Munn: Getting everyone to work together for the best interest of the company. It’s easy for people to have individual goals or team targets. Getting everyone to pull in the same direction by putting the company needs ahead of personal interests is challenging, and highly rewarding when it happens.
The greatest example of this for PVENG was probably during the recession in 2009. We had just experienced a growth phase, and we wanted to keep the people that gave us the best chance for future success. We all came together and chose work sharing over layoffs to get us through a difficult time while keeping us ready for a successful future.
STI/SPFA: What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the industry?
Munn: Take pride in your work, be open-minded, curious, willing to learn, roll up your sleeves, and get involved.
Taking pride in your work goes a long way towards doing it right the first time, and those around you will notice. You never know what the future may bring or what direction it will take you. Opportunities come up at the strangest times, be open to them. You will be surprised how many people are willing to help you succeed if you put the time in to learn, so ask questions. Do the work. Nobody but you is responsible for your personal growth, so do the things you need to do to learn and grow.
Take the opportunity to get involved in support organizations. ASME, STI/SPFA, and other peer groups are all opportunities to learn from others and bounce ideas around. Getting involved with mentoring others is beneficial for everyone and rewarding for you.
STI/SPFA: What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the industry in the next three to five years?
Munn: Finding and retaining talented people will be the biggest challenge. However, trade wars caused by tariffs and the unpredictable cost for raw materials, not to mention rising electricity and fuel costs will also be factors.
STI/SPFA: How has STI/SPFA Membership helped you and your company succeed and grow in today’s marketplace?
Munn: STI/SPFA membership has provided an opportunity to network with clients and other associate members. We’ve done a number of webinars on CRN Registration and FEA which has allowed us to reach a broader audience than we would have been able to otherwise. And attending some of the other webinars has helped us stay informed as well.
