03 Apr Q&A with Cortland Biomedical Fabricators: Insights from Linda O’Neill and Jeff Mack
At Cortland Biomedical, our fabricators play a crucial role in transforming raw materials into innovative biomedical textiles. We spoke with two of our experienced team members, Linda O’Neill and Jeff Mack, to learn more about their journeys, daily work, and what makes Cortland Biomedical a great place to build a career.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Cortland Biomedical?
Linda O’Neill: I spent 15 years working in a sewing factory before it went out of business. I started at Cortland Cable through a temp service, not knowing much about the company at first. Over time, I moved into a full-time position at Cortland Biomedical and have been here ever since. I’ve been here for 22 years, and have been promoted to a fabrication lead.
Jeff Mack: I came from a customer service background but felt like I had reached my limit in that field. My brother worked at Cortland and encouraged me to apply. I wanted something more skill-based, and now I’ve been with Cortland Biomedical for over two years.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you as a fabricator?
Linda: My day is varied—working on different fabrication tasks, inspecting products, cutting labels, and scouring. Right now, I’m working on a project that involves three stations, assembling components that go into suture anchors. Everything I do is hand-done and part of the final production steps before quality control.
Jeff: I start my day with our 3:30 p.m. daily planning meeting for second shift. Then, I focus on one product at a time, especially for big orders. I’ve also worked in different areas, including non-clean room and clean room areas, fabricating parts for endoscopy devices and other medical textiles. The work is hands-on and detail-oriented, which I enjoy.
Q: How does your role contribute to the final product?
Linda: I work in post-processing, making sure every detail is perfect before a product leaves our facility. It’s my job to meet delivery times and ensure we follow all clean room requirements. The work is meticulous and essential to delivering high-quality products.
Jeff: My role involves precision and consistency. Whether I’m operating a braider or working in fabrication, I take raw materials and help turn them into something functional and reliable. It’s satisfying to know that the work I do directly impacts the quality of the final product.
Q: What do you love most about your job?
Linda: The people. It’s like family here. Many of us have worked together for a long time, and we have great managers who care about our safety and well-being. The work environment is clean and supportive—it’s just a great place to be.
Jeff: I love the variety of work. There’s always something new to learn, and I never get bored. I’ve had opportunities to work in multiple departments, and the company really encourages growth. The cross-training keeps things interesting and allows me to expand my skills.
Q: What’s the best thing about working at Cortland Biomedical?
Linda: The opportunity for growth. I started as a temp and worked my way up to a fabrication lead. The company welcomes new people and supports their development.
Jeff: The people and the teamwork. Everyone looks out for each other and works together to get things done. It’s also really rewarding to see separate components come together into a finished product—it gives you a sense of accomplishment at the end of each shift.
Join Our Team
At Cortland Biomedical, we’re always looking for skilled and dedicated fabricators to join our team. If you enjoy hands-on, detail-oriented work in a supportive and innovative environment, explore career opportunities with us today!