Q&A with Scott Reese, Mayville Engineering Company plant manager
By George Berkheimer
Scott Reese serves as plant manager for the Mayville Engineering Company in Bedford. He developed considerable experience and skills working for a variety of large-scale manufacturers throughout Pennsylvania. Reese credits the Mechanical Engineering Technology Computer Aided Manufacturing program at Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School in Cambria County with preparing him for a successful career. He now uses his experience to mentor, train and encourage a new generation of students to develop and pursue their own manufacturing skills and passions.
Q: What steps along the way led you to your current position?
Reese: I started as a machinist at a local machine shop, then moved up to quoting and estimating. I earned my Manufacturing Engineering degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology, was a manufacturing engineer and supervisor for Miller Fabrication Solutions in Brookville and focused on new product development and tooling design at Defiance Metal Products in Bedford before it was acquired by MEC. Working as a plant manager at MGK Technologies relatively early in my career prepared me for my current role with MEC.
Q: What services does MEC provide, and what industries do you support?
Reese: MEC is a value-added manufacturing partner that provides comprehensive design and fabrication solutions. Our services include welding, machining, laser cutting, stamping, tube bending, assembly, and various coating options that include military-grade Chemical Agent Resistant Coating painting. We serve various industries, including heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicles, construction and access equipment, powersports, agriculture, and military sectors. Our customers include John Deere, JLG, Caterpillar, Navistar, Paccar, and Cummins.
Q: What do you enjoy about your work?
Reese: When I started working for Mayville Engineering, I felt like I was part of a team that was focused on a shared mission and common goals. Every day I get to work with talented individuals who truly care for their team members and the community.
Q: Has your experience helped you make any changes at MEC?
Reese: We’ve been able to reduce overtime by working more efficiently, allowing our associates to have more of a work-life balance.
Q: How does MEC engage with local schools to educate students about career opportunities?
Reese: This year we collaborated with Tussey Mountain School District on their Middle School video entry in a contest called “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” The students spent a full day at the plant, and I think everyone agreed that they were truly great kids. I look forward to seeing what they do in the future. I attended the award ceremony, and it was no surprise that Tussey Mountain won the best overall video for the Southern Alleghenies region. We then traveled to Harrisburg with the kids for the 2024 Best of PA awards. Our team was very proud of the video that the kids worked so hard to shoot and edit.
Q: Are you involved in any programs or initiatives that prepare the local labor pool for success?
Reese: The Bedford County Technical Center and Bedford County Development Association do a great job promoting our high-paying stable manufacturing jobs in Bedford. This year we partnered with BCTC to further their welding program and made some material donations to help prepare the weld students for the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exams. I was able to collaborate with the weld instructor and administrative director on their vision for that program’s future. As someone who began my career through vocational education, I recognize the importance of investing in opportunities to encourage future generations to explore manufacturing jobs in our communities.
Q: How else does MEC get involved with the community?
Reese: I meet with community leaders in the Borough to work on community projects and potential donations to fund them. I also work closely with BCDA participating in surveys and meetings focused on ways to improve the lives and opportunities for our current and future employees.
Q: What makes Bedford a good location for MEC?
Reese: The proximity to the turnpike is convenient. We are also in close proximity to some of our customers, which facilitates relationships and problem solving, and there is an abundance of skilled laborers in the area.
Q: What makes Bedford special to you?
Reese: Bedford offers lots of high paying jobs in many different industries. I have found that people will drive from rural areas all around to come to work in Bedford. The town has a beautiful historical appearance which draws a large crowd, especially for events like the Fall Foliage Festival. My wife and I enjoy window shopping and HeBrews Coffee. Its hard to ignore the appeal of unique places like Old Bedford Village and Bedford Springs, each offering so many different things that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.