OMS Indianapolis kicked off the new year with its annual King Cake feast. These delicious and colorful brioche cakes are part of a tradition enjoyed by their team for the past ten years. Finding the baby in their cake was an added bonus!

What is a King Cake?

This delightful confection is a cross between a French pastry and a coffee cake. Its braided cinnamon-flavored dough is topped with sweet icing and adorned in royal colors of purple, green, and gold sugar. The colors signify justice, faith, and power. In Mexican culture, the cake is called Rosca de Reyes. The French refer to it as galette de rois.  Though many countries enjoy their own version, the common element of these cakes is the gem, of fève, hidden inside its decadent layers. Each person who takes a slice of King Cake looks for a tiny plastic baby hidden inside. Discovering the baby has become part of a light-hearted competition, for the one who finds it is honored with good luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

History of the King Cake

When and where did the King Cake fun begin? It is believed the cake itself originated in France and was presented in the U.S. in 1870. The French version is an almond puff pastry topped with a paper crown. Introduced to New Orleans, Louisiana more than 150 years ago, today’s cakes are ring-shaped, symbolizing a king’s crown. Traditionally served on January 6, known as King’s Day, these tasty delights are consumed from the beginning of Carnival season through Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, February 21.

Whatever prompts you to partake in this delectable tradition, tasting a King Cake is an experience you don’t want to miss.

Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Reliability, Perseverance, Excellence

These are the characteristics that represent the corporate values of OMS and are carried out each day by our team members across North America. Throughout our ten locations, employees were asked to nominate a team member to receive special recognition for their dedication to our goals and values. These individuals set themselves apart by their actions, words, and abilities. We were honored to present them with the OMS Magnolia Award.

The Magnolia Award was designed as an homage to the magnolia tree planted by the O’Neal family on the grounds of our founding headquarters more than 75 years ago. It is a testament to our strong roots, resilient nature, and adaptability as a company.

From these winners, one individual was identified for his outstanding service and selected to receive the Craft O’Neal Award. Named for the Chairman and CEO of our parent company, O’Neal Industries, this award was presented to a distinguished employee whose dedication to our corporate values has been instrumental in making a positive impact on our company. It was our pleasure to celebrate the outstanding performance of all our winners. Together, we will continue to thrive and succeed. Congratulations!

OMS tube laser cutting solutions reduce the time, waste, and overall cost of your project. Read this story and more in our monthly Market Insight. Access the complete newsletter here: January OMS Market Insight.

Included in this issue:

• Tube Laser Cutting Support For Original Equipment Manufacturers
• Key Economic Indicators
• Architecture Billings Index
• Industry News
• And More!

Experience unparalleled production of complex parts with 5-axis laser cutting from O’Neal Manufacturing Services. In a single setup, our 5-axis laser tilts and rotates producing multifaceted parts and complex designs.

Stampings, spun parts, hydro-formed parts, and welded fabrications can be laser cut from virtually any angle with speed and precision. OMS provides optimal manufacturing efficiencies by delivering high-quality parts with tight tolerances.

Serving original equipment manufacturers in industries including material handling, power generation, truck & trailer, construction equipment, renewable energy, railroad equipment, and more, our state-of-the-art laser cutting system and 2^nd and 3^rd-step fabrication services support repeatable production of your complex parts.  

O’Neal Manufacturing Services (OMS) offers fully automated steel punching services for high-volume manufacturing. Utilizing CNC machinery, OMS makes the most of your tooling budget by producing parts with a high pierce count. Read this story and more in our monthly Market Insight. Access the complete newsletter here: December OMS Market Insight.

Included in this issue:

• November Jobs Report
• Key Economic Report
• Architecture Billings Index
• Steel Capability Utilization
• Purchasing Managers Index
• Steel Supplier Inventories
• And More!

Since 2015, MetalForming magazine has published its Women of Excellence list to promote the importance of women in the metal forming and fabricating industry. Based on the criteria of longevity, accomplishments, and personal attributes, The Women of Excellence list recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding talent in a manufacturing career.

Karen Phillips, a 25-year veteran of O’Neal Manufacturing Services has been named a recipient of this year’s Women of Excellence award. Karen has displayed leadership, team support, and approachability that have been invaluable in the industrial safety arena. In addition to her professionalism and strong work ethic, Karen’s dedication and experience have earned her multiple awards and certificates of achievement that have contributed to the creation of a world-class safety program at the OMS Pittsburgh facility.

“I am truly humbled by this recognition and greatly admire all the women I know who are expert welders, machine operators, and office employees in metal fabricating businesses.”

Karen’s experience in the metals industry began in administrative support and grew to include roles of shipping supervisor, production supervisor, ERP expert, safety specialist, and environmental health and safety manager. In her 25-year tenure, Karen has demonstrated on-the-job excellence and a commitment to manufacturing.

“A lot has changed in 25 years,” said Phillips. “The sky is the limit for women in the steel industry.”

MetalForming magazine, in conjunction with the Precision Metalforming Association and Women in Manufacturing Association, created this acknowledgment not only to recognize individuals who make our industry progressive, dynamic, and innovative but also to help support those females that may be interested in a similar career. It is their hope that these awards celebrate the achievements of women in manufacturing and inspire other women to pursue manufacturing opportunities.

Karen Phillips, a 25-year veteran of O’Neal Manufacturing Services has been named a recipient of this year’s Women of Excellence award. Read this story and more in our monthly Market Insight. Access the complete newsletter here: November OMS Market Insight.

Included in this issue:

• U.S. Unemployment Rating
• Architecture Billings Index
• Steel Capability Utilization
• Purchasing Managers Index
• Dwindling Diesel Reserves
• And More!

Subscribe to our monthly Market Insight for the latest economic and industry news delivered to your inbox.

City leaders from Fayette, Alabama joined executive leadership from O’Neal Industries and the team from O’Neal Manufacturing Services as they held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newest OMS fabrication facility. Read this story and more in our monthly Market Insight. Access the complete newsletter here: October OMS Market Insight

Included in this issue:

• U.S. Job Market
• Architecture Billings Index
• Steel Capability Utilization
• Purchasing Managers Index
• U. S. Factory Orders 
• And more!

Subscribe to our monthly Market Insight for the latest economic and industry news delivered to your inbox.

City leaders in Fayette, Alabama participated in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event as one of the newest O’Neal Manufacturing Services facilities was formally unveiled.  The 130,000-square-foot steel fabrication plant is located at 1015 Temple Ave. South in the West Alabama town.

The Honorable Rod Northam, Mayor of Fayette, shared his gratitude for the company’s investment in the community and welcomed members of the Fayette Economic Development Team and City of Fayette District Representatives to witness the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Kent Brown, President of O’Neal Manufacturing Services remarked, “It was a great day for the City of Fayette and O’Neal Manufacturing.  We celebrated bringing a good facility back to life and some skilled, hardworking people back to work.” 

Attendees toured the OMS facility and had a first-hand look at the CNC plasma cutting machines, beam line, wet paint booth, saw cutting and forming equipment, and multiple manual and robotic welding cells. The Alabama heavy-industry manufacturing facility currently serves the truck and trailer, material handling, racking, building construction, and industrial equipment industries.

“Demand is strong for American-made fabricated steel parts out of this new Fayette location,” added Brown.  “We are hiring.”

Pictured with the grand scissors is Craft O’Neal, Chairman and CEO of O’Neal Industries (ONI), the parent company of O’Neal Manufacturing Services (OMS). Accompanying him from ONI was President and COO, Ruffner Page, and Executive Vice President, Stephen Armstrong.

Matt Moon, Regional General Manager for OMS was pleased to host the event.  “From the moment I first met with the city leadership, their pride for their community was strong.  OMS is a great fit in the City of Fayette, and I am excited to be a part of their future.”

O’Neal Manufacturing Services recently launched two new North American fabrication facilities. Located in Fayette, AL and Burlington, KY, our new strategically located facilities are primed and ready to serve your fabrication needs!

Access the complete newsletter here: OMS Market Insight September 2022

Included in this issue:

• U.S. Job Growth
• Architecture Billings Index
• Steel Capability Utilization
• Purchasing Managers Index
• U. S. Labor Market 
• Green Energy
• Aluminum Demand

Subscribe to our monthly Market Insight for the latest economic and industry news delivered to your inbox.