Carpenter Technology Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology as an intern for less than a year

Pros – The process modelling business unit was great to work for as an intern. I had a few diverse projects, and wasn't merely logging data from analog instruments all day like some of my friends on the mill floor were. My project advisers and coworkers were helpful and treated the interns with respect, and taught me a lot over the months I was there.

Cons – There was limited hands-on experience in the modelling unit. This is a pro for some, and a con for others. I like a mix of both hands-on work and modelling, so I would have appreciated a bit more shop and floor time. The location isn't bad, but there are not many places nearby to get lunch.

Former Employee – worked at Carpenter Technology as a contractor for less than a year

Pros – strong ethical committment, committment to local economy, demonstrated ability to change

Cons – can be stodgy, slow to react to new ideas

Advice to Senior Management – leverage the knowledge of former employees

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology full-time for more than a year

Pros – fair pay for EMT's $15.00/hour, uniforms provided, 5 days off period (if fully staffed and no overtime is available), occassional free hot dog days

Cons – contracted security with minimal interaction with actual employer, 12 hour weekend shifts mandatory, rotational hour schedule, must wear body armor, no shift differential, no yearly bonus, expensive insurance, very low morale, new hires quit early and some dont even complete their training period before quitting, retention problems, almost non-existent advancement opportunities, minimal training opportunities, extreme amount of added responsiblities on top of EMT duties for the actual level of compensation, pay freezes, seemingly always understaffed, local City of Reading commuter tax, mandatory assigned overtime if not taken, no perks of an actual Carpenter employee yet we wear the logo and words Carpenter on our uniform which feel like an attempt to hide from others that we are actually contracted and recieve no Carpenter benefits

Advice to Senior Management – consider offering contracted security temp to hire opportunities or a better starting hourly pay, this department could operate so much better and more efficient as we are the eyes and ears of the entire operation as well as the well being of actual Carpenter Employees when emergencies arise, more management needed to assist or at least supervise, department employees fear loss of job if they speak out, do an actual performance based raised instead of percentage based, sit down with entire department and do anonymous interviews that guarantee job security, we have ideas that could benefit the company.....constructive criticism can be helpful.....I actually fear losing my job just posting this...and will be sure to post and additional review if I do. It has been rumored that our departments budget has been cut this year when really it needs an increase if it was properly managed due to the company acquiring the former "DANA" property. We have outgrown the Communications Center and office area. Higher level management PLEASE feel free to stop in anytime and during off hours to meet us as we are here 24/7!....our last Health & Safety Director who actually seemed to care about us and would come to visit us was terminated and we were given no explanation, I've been told the entire Safety Department used to be contracted as well. Maybe its time for an in-depth department audit. I hear so many things that makes me shake my head...but we are forced to keep our mouths shut. This job has so much potential but I too now I too am losing my motivation. I once saw a bright future here but now I think its starting to become another stepping stone for my resume. If you're going to contract us out, let that company due to hiring and interviews as well as our performance evaluations.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Carpenter Technology full-time for less than a year

Pros – It paid better tan previous jobs that I held. Coworkers were quirky and entertaining

Cons – The company employed half of its workforce through a temp agency. A single safety violation would get you fired and workers hid fairly serious injuries and grotesque scars because of the legitimate fear of termination. The company offered little in the ways of job security unless you passed the 18 month gauntlet of being a temp and the 6 month permanent employee probation period.. After having worked for a company wit a very sympathetic and hands on corporate structure, I was fairly appalled at the lack of humanity applied to the employees

Advice to Senior Management – People are not numbers. If you wish to employ educated individuals with a potential to improve the company, you need to start treating employees like people

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – This company has been in business for over 100 yrs, without a labor union. It occupies appr. 300 acres of land on the outskirts of Reading. We make a decent wage for the labor that we provide, and our benefits are fairly compatible to other company's plans.

Cons – The only 2 drawbacks that I perceive here are the lack of vacation days and the outrageous timeframe it takes a person to reach just 5 wks. In addition, working 6 and 7 days a wk can get old real fast.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology

Pros – The Career Growth opportunities within Carpenter are unmatched for a company of this size. The company also offers an exceptional benefits package. The work environment is very positive employees work well together, and there is widespread acceptance among coworkers. The company is moving forward and rapidly developing.

Cons – Carpenter is synonomous with long hours. Expect to work whatever hours are needed and to be pushed by management for everything you can offer. The work is also physically demanding and the job can be dirty at times.

Advice to Senior Management – Carpenter is a great company to work for management is for the most part very responsive to issues and the company is constantly moving forward.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Carpenter Technology

Pros – Carpenter provides steady work (and sometimes too much of it) and pays an above average rate for the work that salaried employees do. The benefits package is fair and they are willing to pay tuition costs if you are interested in furthering your education. Working conditions are good and management is generally reasonable in their requests.

Cons – Working three rotating shifts is really tough on most production workers. There is some resentment that most of the salaried staff is all day shift, which results in bad feelings sometimes. As with anyplace the demand for performance is high, and sometimes beyond possible. People are quick to point fingers when things go wrong, and many suggestions from the floor get ignored. Granted some of those suggestions are unreasonable, but the supervision and management should take more time to explain the reasoning.

Advice to Senior Management – Listen more to the people who do the hands on work. Some of the lower level engineers and all of the production workers have lots of great input, but that seems to go by the wayside. The employee communication team is mostly made of people who either are ass-kissers or are perceived that way. Adding random employees to that team might let some issues surface.
I left the company under amicable conditions, but a few years later desired to return and my old job was open. I did not even get a call or an e-mail saying thanks but no thanks or anything. I could have stepped in there with literally no training and done the job well, and appreciated it more. Maybe someone should be looking into things like that. i have a general good feeling about the company and have many friends and colleagues who still are there, so nothing I've said here is done mean-spirited. I wish you the best of luck.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology

Pros – Carpenter pays their employees well

Cons – The company is too large to keep under control

Advice to Senior Management – Take a survey of employees to find the problem departments and managers.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology

Pros – World class company. Unequaled exposure to wide array of specialty alloys and metallurgical expertise. The company carries a reputation that is second to none in the industry. Customers or potential customers familiar with Carpenter come with respect because of that reputation. The metallurgical and commercial talent at the company will rival any other.

Cons – Currently, the executive management is beyond incompetent. The President and CEO left a failing company, brought numerous co-employees with her, and clearly does not understand the business she runs. People spend more time running around putting together information that an insider would know and understand. Dissenting points of view are punished and most executives from the “traditional” Carpenter family were dismissed. As such, morale is at an all time low. People spend more time doing meaningless information gathering instead of focusing on the company. The customer base is quickly becoming weary of the lack of responsiveness as a result. This feeds the low morale because the worker bees are between a rock and hard place with no voice to stop the madness.

Advice to Senior Management – Anne Stevens must go. She is clearly incompetent to run a heavy manufacturing facility. The board has made a dreadful error in placing their confidence in someone who does not understand the business she attempts to manage. The additional executive management that she has brought on board is equally inept. Major changes need to happen and soon.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Carpenter Technology

Pros – They are completely dedicated to their employees, from hourly temps all the way up through management everyone is treated like an equal. The non-monetary compensation and benefits offered are second to none. The company has a commitment to growth. The products we produce are recession resistant. It seems like the company has truly embraced continuous improvement and are always striving to do everything better. Creative and technical input is accepted and encouraged regardless of your job classification or how many years you’ve had at the company. The human resources department is also extremely helpful in relocation assistance. In closing while it is a public company it feels like working for family.

Cons – The real downside to the company is that you truly invest yourself in your work so that you can work 50+ hrs a week and not even realize it. The downside is that not every salaried employee qualifies for overtime. The working conditions are also a question mark. It is a converted steel mill and the nature of the product produced is messy. To say the least it isn’t for everyone. As my boss told me when I interviewed, expect to get your hands dirty from time to time.

Advice to Senior Management – My advice to senior management would be "Don't try to enforce a policy unilaterally unless it is universally applicable".

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend