At Daman, we like to think of ourselves as a family. However, for some of our employees, this relationship takes on a more literal sense of the word.
For the McIntyre family, working at Daman has become a rite of passage. All six McIntyre brothers work for the company and two of their children have recently come on board. With eight McIntyres working under the same roof, it’s interesting to see how the family dynamic is affected both at work and in their personal lives.
The McIntyre legacy started 28 years ago with eldest brother Mike. “I was on disability playing softball with a guy who was a first-year foreman,” Mike explains. “He told me they were hiring and I needed a job. That’s how we started.”
Once Mike was hired, he recruited his brothers into the company one by one. Richard had just graduated high school when he was hired at Daman and has now been with the company for 26 years. “I started in packaging which eventually evolved to running machines. When we moved the facility, I became shift leader on second shift. I’m now currently shift leader in Cell C on first shift.”
Next was James, who made the switch to Daman after getting married. “I realized I couldn’t have a family working at a grocery store and Mike said he could get me a job.” Now 26 years later, James is the team leader of Cell D and has brought his son J.J. into the company.
“I worked in the restaurant industry as a cook for a couple years before this and I just needed a change,” J.J. explains. “About 2 years ago, I told my dad I wanted a job and he said, ‘All right, come in and interview.’”
Similar to James and J.J., Tim and his daughter Ashleigh both work at Daman. Tim came on board after James and he has been with the company for 25 years. “I have a similar story to the others,” Tim notes. “I said to Mike, 'Call me when you have a first shift job and I’ll come work there.’ So that’s what happened.” Throughout the years, Tim has worked as an inspector, team leader of Cell D and A, and has been Cell B team leader for the past 13 years.
Now, his daughter Ashleigh has joined the ranks serving as an HR intern for the past month. Long term, Ashleigh plans on pursuing other interests. “I either want to go into physical therapy or sonography... the 'not-gory side' of the medical field,” she explains.
“Yet, Daman could use a physical therapist,” her uncle Daniel jokes. Having recently returned to Daman after a 20-year hiatus, Daniel is technically the newest addition to the McIntyre crew. “20 years ago, I worked here for a couple of weeks. And now I’ve been here a couple weeks again,” he explains.
The final member of the McIntyre crew is Bob, who has been with the company for 21 years. “I started when we had our programming area,” he recalls. “We did our tool setup for about six months until they built this building. I came down with Cell D on first shift for two months. Then, I moved to Cell C where I’ve been ever since.”
Why have they all stuck around so long? They all agree that it’s the Daman company culture. “You have a job where you know you’re respected,” says Mike.
“What Mike says is true,” adds Tim. “For me, it’s the trust in the leadership at Daman. They trust me to do my job. They pay me to do something and, if I’m doing that, no one comes to question me.”
In terms of disrupting the family dynamic, the McIntyres agree that working together has been an overall positive experience. “I don’t think as a group we have challenges with each other,” explains Mike. “I think for the most part, we’re usually on the same page. If not, we have enough respect for each other in the jobs that we do that it’s not even an issue. When I talk to Tim or James or Rich, I know they’re going to give me an honest answer and that there is no ulterior motive behind it.”
“I guess we don’t even really think about it,” adds Bob. “We’re not going to go home and say ‘Tim didn’t talk to me today. ’” Richard agrees. “It’s the same as when you have arguments with people at work who aren’t your family. You just move on.”
These positive attitudes and commitment to Daman has made the McIntyre name famous throughout the company. For the younger McIntyres, this has created a higher expectation to succeed in the company. “I feel like I have to do my best,” explains Ashleigh.
Her cousin J.J. agrees, adding that his situation is a bit different as he works for his dad. “I feel that the expectations for me from my dad are a little higher because I’m his son. That’s just how it is and how it’s always been. The five guys who have been here for 20 plus years, have worked really hard to make the McIntyre name what it is today. You know the job’s going to be done right and that you are receiving their best effort. So, for me, I just want to continue on what they’ve built on already. I just want to continually do whatever I can to improve Daman, like these five guys have achieved over the last two decades.”
With over 20 years of Daman loyalty, the McIntyres will forever be attributed to the growth and success of the company. They have set the bar higher for future generations of employees and, with their impressive leadership and work ethic, they will continue to do so for years to come.
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