A Leap Across the Ocean: Sabrina Schiefelbein at Three D Metals
By Charlie Pistone, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- From Germany to the United States, Sabrina Schiefelbein’s journey has been one of growth. Schiefelbein is the Commodity Manager at Valley City’s Three D Metals, a metal company that processes and distributes metals throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. Her role entails ensuring quality, strategically sourcing, and maintaining a reliable supplier.
Born and raised in Germany, Schiefelbein moved to the U.S. when she was offered a new position that interested her. She decided to take the leap as she originally thought the job would only last three to five years, but she stayed longer. However, the move was not easy. She came to America alone without family or friends. Schiefelbein explained starting over in a new country felt intimidating and uncertain at times, and adjusting to a different culture and way of life brought its own challenges. Despite those early fears, she said, “The positives were the friendliness of everyone and how welcoming everyone was, the nature of the country and travel opportunities.”
Although the move came with challenges, those experiences ultimately helped shape her career as well as connect her with new opportunities. Schiefelbein wouldn’t have been a part of Three D Metals without a special organization named Association of Women in Metal Industries (AWMI). AWMI supports career development and advancement for women working in the metal industries. It provides networking, education, mentoring, events and leadership opportunities.
“A former vendor of the company I used to work with introduced me to the AWMI and invited me to one of their events,” explained Schiefelbein. “That's when I knew I wanted to be part of this.” Through the organization, she came in contact with Three D Metals and started her new role.
Now Schiefelbein has been in America for quite some time, and has reflected on her time here and grown personally. She explained that Three D Metals has impacted her by pushing her beyond her comfort zone. “I’ve become more confident, stepped out of my shell, and challenged myself in ways I might not have otherwise,” Schiefelbein said.
Now, because of her experiences she is a part of Leadership Medina County (LMC), an organization that connects future Medina County leaders to the county and each other. She became involved because Three D Metals is very active in the community and they also had an Alumni from 2025 that 'recruited' Schiefelbein for it. Today, Schielfelbein continues to grow as a leader, showing how big changes can lead to even bigger opportunities.
Visit https://threedmetals.com/ to learn more about Three D Metals.
Charlie Pistone, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Schiefelbein inside/outside Three D Metals; Inside Three D Metals production area.