HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 12327C
GSS/Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1986
Jack race
the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
During that term, the union initiated
and formed a bloodbank program
through which all employee's blood
types were recorded and volunteers
would donate on a voluntary basis if
transfusions were required at the
hospital. The union did not charge
for the service.
The union also organized a Buck of
the Month Club, in which members
were urged to voluntarily contribute
$1 a month to help purchase seeing -
eye dogs for the blind. Jack
estimates two or three dogs were
kJId11.11Q5Cu nv> L"_'�!'r!!i!g th oiigh the
program.
Today, he administers two
important employee programs at
Champion; quality circles and the
suggestion program. While quality
circles is at a low ebb now, the
suggestion program is experiencing
phenomenal participation and
subsequent savings.
"The programs have a big impact
on the company and they should
compliment each other," he said.
"Quality circles relates more to the
quality of work life and environment
while suggestions are cost-saving
ideas offered by employees.
Brought in to revive the program
two years ago, Jack has it
functioning far beyond expectations.
People power
The company has realized over $i
million in savings and employees
have shared thousands of dollars for
their input and usable suggestions.
Jack has handled more than 2,100
suggestions since he came out of
retirement to administer the
program.
"If I was able to select a
retirement job, it would be the one
I've got because I get to deal with
people and things that are
mechanical," he said. "Because of
my background here, I can examine
the suggestions and immediately
turf about 50 per cent I know won't
work. The others I take to
engineering to see if they'll fly."
A man whose leadership
Lapabiiities were used .to advantage
by the company, Grace claim it's;
the company that produces the
communities leaders.
"This company has always
encouraged the involvement of
employees in community affairs,"
he said. "Our employees are on
council, they are boy scout leaders,
church leaders and firemen. The
company produces leaders and
community involvement is
encouraged by management."
Jack is a fine example of the
leaders the company produces and
the fact he was lured out of
retirement offers testimony to his
capabilities and the respect he
earned at Champion.
wining
plays a role
at Champion
"We're a progressive company and
training shows we're interested in
the employees, which means a lot."
The job development program was
a major step for Champion but the
creation of the training centre will
dividends 1)1111/ pay IAa YAtAG11US i4VliaNi 1.;4u11J.
"We will end up with some damn
good people out of this program and
we will be able to use the centre for
our own people too. Champion is
committed to training and has
capitalized on its own expertise. The
company is committed to
participative management."
Employees are becoming involved
in the day to day operations of
Champion and becoming an integral
part of the operation through
training programs and quality
circles.
That kind of participation and that
kind of investment in its people, will
certainly prove to be a prudent
investment on Champion's part.
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CONGRATULATIONS & HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY CHAMPION ROAD MACHINERY
From the Management and Staff of Akromold (Goderich) Ltd.
Two of the original partners have since retired, and the business
is now carried on by Ernst and Paula Tafeit.
In 1982 the facility was enlarged and up to date CNC & EDM
machinery has since been installed.
Of course, no success story in our line of business is possible
without skilled and dedicated employees. While most of our long-
time Employees were recruited from Central Europe, we at
Akromold had also an apprenticeship program almost from the
very beginning. Over the years a number of young men have
become trained in the skills of their older co-workers, and are
now proficient Tool & Die and Mouldmakers.
This program is being carried on with very gratifying results.
Working under the guidance of our very able Foreman Mr. Herbert
Haas, are at this time:
Established in 1956 as a 3 -way partnership (Erich Mueller, Ralph
Neville and Ernst Tafeit), Akromold Ltd. has its own modest suc-
cess story to tell.
We manufacture steel moulds to produce Automotive, Industrial
and Mechanical Rubber Parts. The motor of your car might very
well hang on a mounting produced out of a mould by our firm.
Virtually hundreds of rubber -seals, grommets and cushions etc.
for which we manufacture moulds, are going into the average car.
Most of our finished products go to various large rubber com-
panies, but having general machineshop capabilities, we are also
able to help many farmers or contractors, making replacement
parts for broken down combines or other machinery.
Messrs: Manfred Popernitsch, Heinz Sartori, Earl
Hoy, Jim Riley, Waldemar Schulz, Bill
Campbell, Kurt Helmer, David Smith,
Greg Baer, Harry Thompson, Ken Reid
and Harald Sartori.
Absent: Wayne Boland
or