Answer extracted from the Empowering Industry Podcast - A Production of Empowering Pumps & Equipment podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What advice does Paul Gifford offer to newcomers considering careers in traditional manufacturing industries?
Don't let outdated perceptions fool you—manufacturing industries like fire hydrants, gate valves, and foundries are driven by state-of-the-art technologies and modern automation that make them far more innovative and engaging than they appear from the outside. Experiencing the reality of molten iron, precision machinery, and advanced processes reveals an industry full of genuine challenge and possibility.
When newcomers think about careers in traditional manufacturing, they often imagine repetitive, unchanging work in older facilities. But as Paul Gifford, Product Management Group Representative at Mueller Water Products, explains in the episode, the gap between perception and reality is enormous.
The lost-foam foundry technology represents exactly this kind of innovation. This advanced casting method allows manufacturers to create complex components with precision that would have been impossible decades ago, transforming what outsiders might assume is an antiquated process into a cutting-edge discipline. Walking through a modern foundry—watching molten iron being shaped with computer-controlled precision—fundamentally changes how someone views the industry.
Gifford's own journey illustrates why this advice matters. Starting his career at a valve and hydrant company in Elmira, New York, where he worked in the foundry, product development, and quality control, he discovered that hands-on manufacturing work offers genuine technical depth and the satisfaction of building infrastructure that serves entire communities. After a circuitous career path, he returned to this sector at Mueller Water Products in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he now drives innovation in product management.
"Never be satisfied with the way things are. There's always something better."
Paul Gifford — Product Management Group Representative, Mueller Water Products. Paul started his engineering career at a valve and hydrant company in Elmira, New York, working in the foundry, product development, and quality. He has returned to the hydrant and valve industry after a circuitous career path, now based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he identifies market opportunities and develops innovative solutions like the Hydrant Renewal program. His daughter also works as an engineer at Mueller Water Products.
The advice carries particular weight because Gifford understands both worlds. He grew up taking apart his parents' appliances and fixing them, always drawn to engineering. His return to the valve and hydrant industry wasn't a compromise—it was a conscious choice to work where innovation in manufacturing directly impacts essential services that millions of people depend on daily.
For anyone hesitating about a manufacturing career, the full episode offers concrete examples of how companies like Mueller are investing in their foundries and modernizing their operations, creating opportunities for engineers and technical professionals who want to do meaningful work in a dynamic, evolving industry.
See also
How has Mueller Water Products invested in manufacturing capabilities over the past decade?
Mueller has invested heavily in three of its foundries over the last 10 years, with employees involved in those investments expressing enthusiasm about the modern capabilities and innovation driving the business forward.
What are the maintenance advantages of proactive hydrant renewal compared to reactive failure management?
Proactive maintenance, similar to automotive oil changes every 3,000 to 4,000 miles, can help water distribution systems work better, last longer, and avoid costly emergency repairs and service disruptions.
What is the average age of fire hydrants in municipal water distribution systems?
In a survey conducted at a trade show, utilities provided ages ranging from 10 years old to 40 or 50 years old. In a more detailed assessment, Paul Gifford found that fire hydrants up to 75 years old can be rebuilt through the Hydrant Renewal program.