Meet The Team: Annette Williams

“I’m the only one working the Dial Tine and Hand Tine.” That’s what Annette Williams, a factory employee of Liberty Tabletop/Sherrill Manufacturing said when asked what machinery she specializes in. If you’re not an expert in flatware you probably don’t know what this means but, what you should know is this is the one woman in a factory of about 50 people who can run these flatware making machines.

Now that’s a pretty important woman to have on your manufacturing team!

Annette Williams is a flatware making veteran. She was employed with Oneida Limited for 17 years prior to working for Sherrill Manufacturing/Liberty Tabletop. Unfortunately, she was one of many who was let go from Oneida limited when thefactory previously closed its doors. Then, about five years ago, Williams learned about Liberty Tabletop. That’s when she came back to the factory to continue working for Sherrill Manufacturing.

Williams operates several machines including the Dial Tine, Hand Tine, and Coin Press. If you’re scratching you head wondering what these processes are no worries…will explain.

• The Dial Tine is an Automatic cutting press that cuts the tines into forks and washes them.
• The Hand Tine is a Manual press that cuts tines into serving forks, pierces pierced serving spoons and pastry servers.
• The Coin Press is an automatic press that stamps the designs into flatware handles and bends spoon bowls and fork tines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Williams also steps in as needed to help run the wash and the furnace. The wash cleans the flatware in-between manufacturing processes and the furnace heats up and hardens the stainless steel.

With any job Williams admits that some days are better than others. “These machines have a mind of their own, some days you get them going and they run good and other days they don’t,” said Williams. Right after speaking with Williams she went back to work on the coin press and about five minutes in she had to stop the process due to a technical hiccup but it was back up in running in less than ten minutes after a minor fix.

Williams says she enjoys working for an American Made company and she understands that it can mean a higher cost for a product. “I’m glad it’s Made in America and I hope people continue to buy our flatware. I know it costs a little more but we have all kinds of patterns for everyone’s taste.”