Decades into their careers at Mansfield-based Trinity Forge, Richard Hughes and Don Moody recently celebrated their golden anniversaries at the forging and precision machining company.

Hughes was the first employee in Trinity Forge’s 71-year history to hit the 50-year mark, the company said. Moody followed shortly thereafter.

At a time when the U.S. is coping with a labor shortage in the skilled trades, the two men represent “a combined century of experience, dedication and institutional knowledge,” the manufacturer said. Skilled trade workers include electricians, plumbers, welders and auto mechanics.

‘Growth, change and challenge’

Founded in 1955, family-owned Trinity Forge makes forged and precision-machined metal parts for various industries, including aerospace, defense, transportation and manufacturing.

CEO John Fairbanks said in a statement that over five decades, Hughes and Moody “have made lasting contributions that have strengthened our organization through periods of growth, change and challenge.”

“Both are valued members of the Trinity team,” Fairbanks said. “Their knowledge, dedication and commitment to quality represent the values that have helped Trinity Forge succeed for more than seven decades, and we are incredibly proud to recognize this extraordinary milestone.”

The company, which Fairbanks said employs 110 people, marked Hughes’ and Moody’s milestones at an Aug. 25 celebration.

An early start

Hughes joined Trinity Forge just out of high school in 1976, a few years after the company moved from Hurst to Mansfield. He started his career in the forging department alongside his father and brothers.

As Hughes gained experience, he developed an interest in the tooling side of the business. He eventually worked his way into the die shop, where he served as supervisor for a number of years. There, he helped oversee a key part of the company’s manufacturing operations.

Hughes later went to Trinity Forge’s engineering department, where he now works as an engineering technician.

At Trinity Forge, Hughes has witnessed the evolution of forging. The industry moved from traditional mechanical equipment and labor-intensive processes to computer-assisted methods, the company said in a statement. Strict engineering and quality standards now guide the work.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have spent my career at Trinity Forge and for all the people who have helped me learn and grow along the way,” Hughes said in the statement.

“When I started here out of high school, I never imagined I would be celebrating 50 years,” he said. “I’ve seen a tremendous amount of change in our industry and at Trinity, but what has always stood out to me is the people. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and thankful to have been part of it.”

Assuring quality

Moody’s path at Trinity Forge started earlier. He initially joined Trinity Forge in 1967 before serving two years as an Army infantry soldier in Vietnam.

Fairbanks said the company kept Moody’s employment active until he returned from the war. Moody left Trinity Forge in 1992, then rejoined the company in 1993. He left again in 1998, but came back in 2006 and has remained there.

Moody’s tenure at Trinity Forge has put him in various roles in manufacturing and quality assurance.

After returning from Vietnam, he operated a forging hammer before moving into quality control, becoming one of Trinity Forge’s first quality control inspectors, the company said. Moody later worked as a forging supervisor, using his shop-floor experience to oversee production.

Today, Moody applies that knowledge as a quality assurance specialist, helping ensure products made by Trinity Forge meet rigorous quality requirements and customer specifications.

“Trinity Forge has been an important part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here and the people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years,” Moody said in the statement.

“I’ve had the chance to work in many different areas of the company, from the forging floor to quality and supervision, and each role has given me a new perspective,” he said. “I’m proud to see how Trinity has grown and changed, and it means a great deal to be recognized for 50 years of service.”

Addressing the shortage of trade workers

Trinity Forge said the men’s 50-year milestones come as manufacturers must focus on developing and retaining skilled workers to fill a talent gap. They also must work to spread generational knowledge being lost to retirements.

The U.S. shortage of skilled trade workers could reach 2 million by 2030, the U.S. Department of Education said. For every five skilled trade workers retiring, only two enter the trades, the Bring Back the Trades initiative said.

Hughes and Moody “demonstrate the value of experience, mentorship and institutional knowledge in the skilled trades,” the company said.

Ultimately, Fairbanks credited much of the company’s success to the people of Trinity Forge — people like Hughes and Moody.

“Richard and Don are an important part of that history,” Fairbanks said. “Their experience and willingness to share what they have learned are invaluable to the next generation of our workforce, and it is a privilege to celebrate this milestone with them.”

So, is retirement on the horizon for Hughes or Moody after reaching the 50-year milestone? “Not at this time,” Fairbanks told Dallas Innovates.

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.