“I didn’t mind it, so I stayed.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
When asked how he stayed with Ripley Tools for 50 years, Bob Aletta’s answer was surprisingly simple.
His decision to stay wasn’t driven by ambition or a carefully mapped career path. Instead, it came from getting comfortable with the work, building relationships with the people around him, and taking pride in what he did every day.
This isn’t a story about career planning. It’s a story about quality work and good people.
Bob Aletta’s career began in 1976 when he was hired as a machinist into the UtilityTool division of Ripley Tools, at that time The Ripley Company. He never planned to stay for 50 years.
Like many people starting a new job, those first years were spent learning the work, becoming familiar with the environment, and getting to know the people around him. Over time, what had once been unfamiliar became routine.
Getting along with the people around him and becoming comfortable with the work eventually became some of the most rewarding parts of his career – and among the biggest reasons he stayed.
“You know a few people, then you get to know them all. You just get comfortable.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
When Bob started at UtilityTool in 1976, every machine in the shop was manual. Today, nearly all that equipment has been replaced by CNC machinery.
In fact, only one piece of equipment remains from when he first walked through the door to today as Ripley has joined the Hubbell family of brands: the drill press table.
When asked to reflect on Ripley’s 90th anniversary and how much has changed since he first started, Bob didn’t hesitate.
“Night and day. Things have changed night and day.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
At the end of the day, Bob is fondest of the work that challenged him most.
Throughout his career, he worked across virtually every product line in the shop, but some projects stand out more than others. In particular, he recalls producing blades for the original Banana Peeler.
The process required grinding blades from large coils before they were stamped into individual components. Matching blade profiles on opposite sides of the coil meant constantly adjusting setups and maintaining tight tolerances throughout production.
“It was a nightmare.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
Yet those are the jobs he remembers best.
For Bob, the most satisfying projects have always been the ones that demanded the greatest precision, attention to detail, and patience. Difficult work wasn’t something to avoid – it was often the work worth remembering.
Throughout the interview, Bob returned to the same theme repeatedly: people.
He credits much of his longevity to the relationships he built over the years and the comfort that came from working alongside people he genuinely enjoyed being around.
Jobs changed. Equipment changed. Technology changed. But getting along with the people around him remained one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
“Being comfortable with the job and getting along with people. That’s really what kept me here.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
A job well done. Satisfaction in the work you do. Going home knowing you’ve done your best each day.
When Bob reflects on his career, he doesn’t talk about titles, promotions, or accomplishments. Instead, he talks about the work itself.
Throughout the conversation, he returned to the same theme time and time again: quality. Whether he was discussing the most complicated blade projects or his day-to-day in the shop, his greatest source of satisfaction has always been doing the job well.
When asked what he was most proud of after fifty years, his answer was immediate.
“The quality of work I do.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
After fifty years in the same shop, Bob’s advice isn’t complicated.
Much of it comes back to the same themes that kept him there in the first place: get along with people, follow the rules, focus on work, and give yourself time to settle in. New jobs can be uncomfortable at first, but comfort comes from time, experience, and familiarity.
He also believes it’s important to keep personal matters separate from work and focus on the job in front of you.
When asked what message he would leave for the next generation of employees, his answer was simple:
“Get along with people.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
Most people would consider fifty years with one company an extraordinary achievement.
Bob doesn’t necessarily see it that way.
When asked what the milestone means to him, his answer was as straightforward as every other answer throughout the conversation:
“Everybody tells me it’s a big deal, but… you’re working. That’s it.” – Bob Aletta, Veteran Machinist, Ripley Tools
On October 26, Bob celebrated 50 years with Ripley Tools. His career spans decades of change, growth, and technological advancement, yet the things he values most have remained remarkably consistent: quality work, good people, and the satisfaction that comes from doing the job well.
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