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The Workforce Specialists:
Centralina JobLink Career Centers
Commitment to workforce excellence
Meet our happy customers!
Cochrane Furniture, Lincoln County
Company Description: A manufacturer of solid wood household furniture and case goods, the company was started over 100 years ago and it has developed a reputation of producing fine solid wood furnishings made primarily from oak and pine. The majority of the items produced are used in bedrooms, dining rooms and entertainment areas of a residence.
JobLink Services Utilized: With funding from the Incumbent Workforce Development Program, 65 employees were trained in Lean Manufacturing Principles, Value Stream mapping, 5 S System Workshops, Set Up Time Reduction, Cellular Flow Manufacturing, and a facilitated 5-Day Standard Work Event (Kaizen) to improve productivity.
Training Impact: As a result of the training, Cochrane has gained a unique and strategic advantage by being able to deliver small orders of custom products to customers with a fairly quick turnaround time.
Employee Comments:
“We couldn’t have survived if we had not exposed our employees to this
training. It has made a world of difference” – Mr. Hobe Bradley, Vice President.
“The training has helped me tremendously and I notice that the attitudes of the
employees are better.” – Mr. James Wese – D&D Assembly Lead
“We need communication to do our work better. It’s key to have other people
know what you are doing, and to know what they are doing. The more you
learn the better you can enhance your future, and I’m willing to learn”. – Ms.
Vivian Moncree – Machine Operator
“I’ve been here 29 years and it [the training] is far and away the best thing the
company has ever done. “We can see the results,” – Mr. Alphonso “Bobo”
Alexander – Product Engineer
“The training is helping me be a better employee and (all of us) a better
workforce.” – Ms. Kay Warren – Front Cell Assembler
Steele Rubber Products, Lincoln County
Company Description: A small closely held corporation operating on a single shift that produces rubber parts for the automotive industry.
JobLink Services Utilized: With funding from the Incumbent Workforce Development Program, 54 employees were trained in Achieving Communication Effectiveness. This step was taken to bring additional operations in-house rather than outsource them. The company realized the value of having a well-trained workforce and believes that providing their employees with the skills and abilities to positively impact the company will enhance each individual’s position.
Training Impact: As a result of the training, company management is seeing immediate results and believes that it is the foundation for future ISO Certification that places them in a more competitive position. During the last year they have upgraded their machinery and added the capability to produce a sponge rubber product. The standardized training has been utilized to cross train workers in a systematic way and not rely as much on subjective training methods. The skills gained from the training resulted in several employees receiving wage increases at the time of their employee evaluations.
Employee Comments:
“The training has greatly improved the communication skills of the employees.
They are now more aware of the functions of other departments and have
begun communicating with each other and with management to share ideas on
efficiency. They have gained valuable portable skills that can be used on any
job.” - Mr. John Dancoff - Plant Manager,
“The training has improved my ability to communicate with others, be more
organized and operate more efficiently.” - Ms. Macil Crowe - Press
Operator
“The training gave me ideas on how to perform my job easier. Other businesses
need to have this type of training…it makes a world of difference”. - Ms.Carol
Leonard - Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Vanguard Supreme, Union County
Company Description: A supreme is a manufacturer of circular knitting machinery. This machinery is used by the textile industry to produce cloth for underwear and outerwear as well as specialty fabrics.
JobLink Services Utilized: With funding from the Incumbent Workforce Development Program, 103 employees were trained in Lean Manufacturing. They effectively trained key management and supervisors in more intensive Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt training. These employees have been given lead roles to implement changes in production and will train others in the processes they have learned so the whole company will have a basic understanding of advanced manufacturing principles.
Training Impact: As a result of the training, the company has realized immediate benefits. Thousands of dollars are being saved each month through waste elimination and improvements in product quality. They expect to capitalize on the improved communications and team atmosphere that has resulted from the training by allowing employees to be an integral part of the continuous improvement process.
Employee Comments:
“The training will benefit me as an employee because I will have more tools to
use, such as better communication skills, statistical tools and techniques to
systematically solve problems”. - Mr. Ron Clair - Manager of Manufacturing
Engineering and Cylinder Production.
“The training offered a lot of good problem solving tools, and was nothing that
anyone would learn in college. The results have been positive.” - Mr. Joseph
Fabrizi - Manufacturing Engineer/Safety Director.
“The training has boosted my morale, and I see that employees can make a
difference by reducing inventory.” - Mr. Marty Snodgrass, CNC Machinist
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© Centralina Workforce Development Board, 2007
Proud Partner with JobLink Career Centers |
