Minnesota Lab Supervisor Has a Passion for Precision

Whether he’s mastering the art of metrology or baking his first loaf of bread, Kevin Swalchick is always looking for opportunities to learn. As he embarked on his career journey, Kevin discovered that one of the best ways to learn what you want in life is to experience what you don’t want.

“In my first two weeks working as a machinist, I knew it wasn’t for me,” recalls Kevin, who graduated from Anoka Technical College with an associate’s degree in Machine Tool Technology in 2008. “My supervisor suggested I try quality work, and I’ve been working in manufacturing quality ever since.”

Kevin quickly found a passion for the precision involved with quality control, also known as metrology (the science of measurement).

“I am fascinated by the precision of what we do,” he says. “In metrology, we care about differences in size that are less than half the thickness of a human hair. I think that’s really interesting.”

After working for several different manufacturing companies in Minnesota, Kevin joined The QC Group in 2012 as a Master Inspector/CMM Programmer. Located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the metrology lab was acquired by Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) in 2016.

The Minnesota lab provides unbiased, third-party dimensional metrology services, including coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection, reverse engineering, computed tomography (CT) and laser scanning for defense, medical, aerospace, and other highly regulated industries.

“We work in industries that touch everyone’s lives in some way — whether it’s medical devices for surgery or jet engine components that help to ferry people and products around the world,” says Kevin, a Certified Quality Technician (CQT) and Certified Quality Inspector (CQI). “Our largest metrology customers are involved with U.S. government projects, like the DOE’s nuclear retrofit programs. We’re proud to provide services that help our country remain safe and secure.”

Always eager to learn and grow, Kevin left IIA in 2020 to gain more experience in the manufacturing world, but never lost touch with his friends at IIA.

“That was a really great experience for me because I was able to reconnect with the world that IIA serves,” recalls Kevin. “It opened my eyes to the current climate in manufacturing and how a third-party metrology lab could better serve manufacturing customers.”

Kevin brought those ideas and enthusiasm with him when he returned to IIA in 2022 as Lab Supervisor. He savors the variety and challenges that each day brings.

“I love the variety of work that I get to do – from the hands-on technical stuff to customer service and business development,” he says. “I really enjoy a challenge, so finding creative solutions to customer problems is one of my favorite things.”

Perhaps most of all, Kevin appreciates the teaching aspect of his job.

As he says, “It’s a lot of fun to show someone the ropes and watch them grow and develop and become self-sufficient.”

In his free time, Kevin also finds great fun in the Great Outdoors. If you don’t find him hiking, biking, or kayaking the state parks of Minnesota, you may see him cruising in his Corvette, or strolling the river walk in quaint, historic downtown Anoka, where he lives.

“I love being outside,” says Kevin, a lifelong Midwesterner with a need for speed. “I also really like to have a fun car. I have a Corvette right now, and it gives me a lot of joy just to go for a drive.”

At home, Kevin enjoys hands-on work ranging from do-it-yourself remodeling projects to cooking and baking. (A recent kitchen victory involved baking his first loaf of bread).

In all areas of life, Kevin is driven, intentional and dedicated to learning and growing.

“Learning is so important, and I believe you can learn something from anyone - whether it’s a little kid being brutally honest about something or a new person who looks at a problem with a fresh set of eyes. They may be able to solve a problem in a way you’d never think of just because they have a different perspective. Don’t underestimate the ability to learn from others.”