HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 14517D
HIIMPION
GSS/Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1986
"MRP is forcing us to change our
Manufacturing way of doing business," he
Continued from Page 16 explained. "It's giving us foresight.
However, while the company We used to react but now we can see
. a light in some areas. We're working
smarter and the system is telling us
so much that we still ten -1 to react."
An integrated manufacturing
system, MRP puts sales,
engineering, purchasing and
manufacturing on the same
wavelength. Forecasting is a key to
the success of the program but
standardization of the product has
helped in that, area.
"We only build to orders," Million
said. "It takes about 45 days to get a
grader through the system. MRP
'forces us to be accountable in all
areas of the company_"
Champion has made a major
out," he said. "This program was financial investment. in the
not restrictive. and we had more manufacturing sector in the last two
freedom than with most government years as purchased new
update the comhas pany's
programs. It was good because we p p p y
were able to teach people away from capabilities.
downsized one operation,' it had to
address a skilled labour problem in
Goderich. To accomplish its dream
of establishing its own training
facility, Champion worked with
Employment and Immigration
Canada to set up a comprehensive
job development program in
Goderich this year.
More than $2.5 million will be
spent in providing training for more
than 115 people over the course of
the year. Million suggests the
program is,the best the government
has offered.
••'i'fG program is a succus and is
the best the government has put
Wring
production.""In Goderich and South Carolina
Receiving theoretical, practical ' we used to produce four graders a
and on-the-job training, the day with 135 machinists," Dave said.
participants will have acquired new "We manufacture four and three
skills, and possibly new jobs,..when quarters now with 112 machinists.
the year-long program wraps up in We have realized a gain in
February. "We're going to end up productivity."
with some good employees out of Robotics will be introduced to the
this program and if we're still welding department early next year .
producing four and three-quarters and Million suggests there could be
graders a day they should hae jobs." many applications for robotics at
The introduction of the Champion. However, his main goals
manufacturing resource planning are to improve efficiency, cut costs
(MRP) system has had a major and keep an attentive eye on quality.
effect on the production of graders in "We have to modernize but we
Goderich. A formalized method of have to move into technology
doing business, MRP impacts on slowly," he said. "Now we can teach
every. department and individual in technology at the training centre and
the company and allows for tighter, 'move it into the shop. And we also
inventory control. have to spend more time on
For Million and his staff, the quality."
implementation process has been a The competitive nature of the road
testing experience, but the merits, of grader business has placed hefty
the system outweigh the aggravation de adse on
manufacturing,qual o but
tas.
he contends.
The company has spent millions of dollars upgrading its manufactur-
ing fecheno6ogy oases tfie last few years. _