Weir - ESCO Division

Meet Sophie Ricketts, our 2026 Canadian scholarship recipient.

Weir scholarship programs award our employees’ dependents funds to move confidently toward their academic careers. Sophie was selected for her outstanding scholarly achievements.

A bright and accomplished student who recently graduated from Port Hope High School, Sophie soon will begin the paramedic program at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. We are honored to support her in following her dreams.

Congratulations to Sophie and her parent, Dave Ricketts, stores receiver at ESCO’s Port Hope, Ontario, site.

Oh, the pride we feel when we see ESCO product in the field! Tucked away in the northwestern U.S., an ESCO® construction excavator bucket was recently spotted helping to keep the city of Sammamish, Washington, running for an improvement project along Southeast 4th Street.

Meet Damien Demmings.

Before Damien Demmings joined Weir’s ESCO Division site in Port Hope, Ontario, in 2018, he knew he was ready for something new. He’d already built a successful career in grocery chain retail management and was facing some big next steps that came with a few personal risks he found unappealing.

Damien knew someone who worked at the Port Hope site who told him the company recognized talent and skill and liked to promote from within. Damien applied and, before long, was working in the grinding and finishing area of the foundry.

“Being in an industrial setting and working in grinding and finishing was a bit of a culture shock, but also very interesting,” says Damien. “I saw an opportunity to solve problems and opportunities to advance. I began asking, ‘How do I make myself a grinder/finisher?’”

And that was just the beginning. Damien soon became a fitter in the foundry where he learned everything he could about the importance of fit, form and function in precision manufacturing for the mining industry. He took advantage of training opportunities and helped out in other functional areas to expand his knowledge of foundry operations. Within a few years, he became a certified inspector and was then promoted to team leader. In 2023, he joined Port Hope’s methods group — the liaison between engineering and production — as a technician.

“I’m a go-getter,” says Damien. “The road is before me and I’m willing to put in the work and the time. I’m interested to see the next steps for me.”

Damien adds that he likes his work, sharing “the work culture among the technical folks is great and working with teammates on the floor is really enjoyable.” He also takes pride in what Weir does.

“What we make goes out into the field and advances industry,” adds Damien. “We make a difference in keeping things running. I find that very rewarding.”

In his spare time, Damien is fond of the outdoors, including hiking and camping. He also plays guitar, enjoys reading and likes to get involved in community activities. One of his favorite hobbies is rockhounding with his daughter, a shared enthusiasm that began when she was young. Together, they search for rocks, agates and other stones and fossils.

Damien points out that their joint hobby now has a connection to his work: discovering earthly treasures. “We both get a kick out of that,” he says, smiling.

SPOTTED: An ESCO bucketful of books! After a two-week “Keep Portland Reading!” themed drive, ESCO Division customer account representative, Courtney Morrow, loaded up her car brimming with bags of books, generously donated by Portland employees, for a special delivery to Boys & Girls Aid.

This book drive stemmed from a desire to increase access to educational, entertaining and inspirational reading material that local children could enjoy this summer. What better way than through the gift of a good book! Our drive is one of many causes we support annually alongside our nonprofit partner, Boys & Girls Aid.

Thank you to our employees, Courtney and Boys & Girls Aid for the meaningful work they do in our community.