Even with almost four decades of experience with heavy machinery and industrial equipment, Steve Roberts still gets excited when a prospective customer calls in with a problem.  Steve is Precision Machine & Manufacturing’s Director of Sales, and the satisfaction of tackling customers’ manufacturing problems keeps him energized.

He likes to delve into the details of customers’ applications and look for ways to help their plants run better and make their equipment last longer.  

Steve started out as a machinist apprentice in 1969 and grew in experience to where he had his own shop for five years, before joining an OEM that made presses. After enjoying the experience of participation in a company trade show exhibit, he decided to give selling a try and has never looked back.  

“Being a machinist myself, I can understand what customers are talking about more than others who don’t have that background,” says Steve. 

One of his favorite customers is biomass power generator Covanta Mendota in California. “The company has bought Precision Machine’s feeders, screws and valves for years, but we don’t rest on past successes,” says Steve. “After several visits and discussions over the years with their maintenance group and our engineering department, we were able to make several improvements in the way we manufacture and the material used in all their equipment to make it run more smoothly and last longer.” 

“I love it when we can come up with a creative solution to help our customers,” continues Steve. “They can usually see the results immediately in increased productivity and lower costs.” 

When he’s not helping customers, Steve enjoys hunting, fishing, playing golf and spending time with his growing family, which includes two grown children and six grandchildren ranging in age from 22 to one year old.