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22 VO L . X X V N O. V I M A R C H 1 8 , 2 0 1 9 A niche in the truck business e Magnum name, along with Duramag, now trade under the F3 umbrella. e truck bodies are what you might see on a trade vehicle — the back portion of an electrician's truck, the "box" on a box truck or a towing company's flatbed. F3 was using aluminum at a time when many such truck com- ponents were steel. Galea makes the case for aluminum being better than steel because it's much lighter, resulting in increased fuel economy, reduced tailpipe emissions and smaller carbon footprint. Although raw aluminum is more expensive than raw steel, F3 maintains competitive product pricing. Tariffs affected both aluminum and steel. As F3's sales revenue has grown, its workforce has grown as well. For Galea, it's about putting Maine people to work by providing them with train- ing and support to achieve financial security and marketable skills. "A big part of F3 is the people we hire and train," she says. "We have an unbelievable crew." Galea is active in talent attraction and retention, providing in-house training to the entire workforce. Despite the state's labor shortage, F3 has been able to find workers through employee referrals, online postings, job websites and connec- tions with trade schools. "We have a great training pro- gram, our pay scale is above market, and we offer 401(k), health insurance, paid vacations, holidays and over- time," she says. "ey gain a trade, they've got a job where we won't lay people off, and they're working indoors throughout the year." She also hires people who need a second chance in life. "Some people have made poor choices in their past but they come in and they have a strong work ethic," she says. "I see a glimmer of hope, a lot of times, in people when they don't see hope in themselves. But they want a second chance and they do a good job." She recalls one employee who "knew" she wouldn't hire him once she saw his background check. "I said, 'Well, if you're honest with me and tell me what you did and that's what shows up on your background check, we can talk,'" she says. Since then, he's become a line leader and went from couch-hopping to rent- ing an apartment and, recently, purchas- ing a home — life steps accomplished with Galea's guidance. "It's the most gratifying aspect of my job," she says. "My biggest concern is to keep everyone employed and to keep this business going because so many people and families rely on us." Galea still thrives on the hustle- bustle. "One day I'm writing a check for thousands of dollars for alumi- num and that same day I'm seeing a finished product loaded on one of our trucks," she says. "It's noisy, nobody's standing still. I'm the type of person who likes to have many balls in the air all the time. I couldn't sit behind a desk and just do the same thing day in and day out." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz BUSINESS LOANS In It Together For Moments Like These Personal Banking | Business Banking Insurance 1 207-284-4591 | sbsavings.bank 207-283-1486 | insurancepc.com 1Insurance products and services offered by P&C Insurance are: Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value 5 QUESTIONS Age: 49 Leadership icon: I admire many people for individual qualities. Some people have incredible vision, others are great philanthropists. I also admire people who make it their life's work to help others. Maine's biggest business challenge: It's extremely expensive, tax-wise, to do business in Maine. Our geo- graphic location also makes shipping expensive. Maine's biggest business opportunity: Employees who have that native ingenuity and creativity, people who know how to put in an honest day of work. Best business advice: Make an impact in every single assignment you are given. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Joyce Galea P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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