Meet Hank Baes

About Hank

Hank Baes serves Niagara Specialty Metals with a simple mindset: do whatever is needed to grow capabilities and help get quality steel out the door. His technical role is Sandblast Operator, but he takes pride in stepping up wherever the team needs him to support consistent, high-quality product.

Why Ownership Culture Matters

What he values most about working at a 100% employee-owned company is the ESOP created by former owner Barry Hemphill, which allows every employee’s hard work and dedication to quality steel to directly contribute to the growth and value of the company.

What Customers Might Be Surprised By

Hank believes customers would be surprised by how a relatively small, employee-owned company has made such a significant impact on the knife and steel industry both in the United States and abroad.

In the Plant

Hank’s favorite “tool” in the plant has always been the people. He believes Niagara’s team is the company’s greatest asset— a group that keeps growing personally while also growing the value of Niagara Specialty Metals as a whole.

Hank would trade roles with his friend and mentor, Andy Sharp. Andy taught him a lot on the production floor and later moved into the Quality Control Manager role—something Hank believes is essential to the products Niagara provides.

Outside of Work

Hank’s first job was with a roofing and siding company, where he learned early how hard work connects to good pay. Outside of NSM, he has a long list of interests—church, strength training, running, yoga, mechanics, ice hockey, and playing and singing in his band, UNKEPT. He also loves spending time with his wife, Bonnie (who jokes he’s not allowed to start any new hobbies because he already has so many).

Advice for New Team Members

Stay open to learning and to be willing to shift roles based on what the company needs on any given day. He sees the job as a blessing—not only for employees, but also for their families and the community. He likes to end with a quote you might recognize: “Be good, do good, God bless!” – Josh Allen.

Favorite Memory at Niagara

Hank’s favorite memory is seeing coworkers’ family members—whether during a walkthrough visit or at a Christmas party. He enjoys putting faces to the people most positively affected by Niagara’s work, income, and benefits.