Meet The Team - Dave Newell

In the latest instalment of our Meet The Team series, we spend some time getting to know Dave Newell, our Director of Applications – Digital Cutting, based at our North America HQ in Miamisburg, Ohio. 

What is your role at Kongsberg PCS?  

I manage the team of experts in Digital Finishing that assist with all pre-sales activities. This includes our North America Customer Experience Center here in Miamisburg, and everything that happens inside of it. I am also responsible for supporting synergy sales across both brands of Kongsberg and MultiCam machines. 

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?  

I really enjoy the fact that my team and I are looked at as trusted advisors in this industry to our customers. In a nutshell, our job really is to make sure the customer is 100% happy with their decision.  Representing our brands, our products and our capabilities in the best way possible is enjoyable to me.  Being creative with solutions to the customer’s problem can be challenging, and I love the collaboration in our team to solve these issues and find a solution that works.   

What has been your favorite project at Kongsberg PCS?  

Working on the Automation portfolio has been quite enjoyable. Working with our partners at IMC on the automated Feeder & Stacker and Enigma on the Robotic Material Handler has been a true joy for me, and bringing these solutions to our customers shows our commitment to innovation. This automation coupled with our new product, the Kongsberg Ultimate, has really been an amazing project to see come to life.   

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Kongsberg PCS, whose job would you want? 

I love anything mechanical and working with R&D would be a dream for me. If I could switch with them, it would really be exciting for me to have a hand in some of the new exciting things we have coming on the horizon for finishing. 

How did you get started in the business?  

I was looking for a job 18 years ago and a friend here told me to apply. I had no experience in this industry, as I came from the Pipe Inspection Camera industry prior, but I had skills in electronics and production. I was eager and excited to learn, and it was a good fit for me as I came into the Service team. Through the years, the company was acquired by others and I became part of this much bigger family of Kongsberg. I’ve grown through the service organization, training, and into the sales organization over the years.  

How would you describe the company culture at Kongsberg PCS? 

Family.  We are all part of the Kongsberg family, and it really showed with our split into our stand-alone organization. Everyone stepped up and pitched in where ever needed to make sure we succeeded. It felt like we were back to the small company mentality and that we all wanted the best for each other.  Adding MultiCam to the family has reinforced that feeling, bringing a new group of incredibly talented individuals that I am so happy to work with. 

Outside of work, what’s your passion?  

I have a large workshop at home full of machines and equipment where I do all sorts of metal fabrication. As a kid I loved trains, and now I build large scale replicas of trains for fun - fully detailed like the real thing, that you can ride on around the yard with working sound and everything. 

What is your favorite quote or personal mantra?  

I have a horrible memory, so remembering quotes was never my thing. As I have gotten older, I have tried to live my life by valuing the things that make me happy. I surround myself with good music and great friends, and those have created the best memories in my life!   

What is the best advice you've ever received?   

“Treat others how you want to be treated.”  This timeless rule encourages empathy, kindness and respect in everything you do.