HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 147CHflMPION
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GSS/Wednesday, Nov 5, 198E
Malluf ctuoring
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ill Dobie meets man
Continued front Page 18
the guy on the floor because he'll
have the parts to complete the job."
Now producing in excess of 1,000
graders a year, Champion is also
manufacturing most of the
components for the product. Dobie
suggests that it's not only cheaper,
but gives the company control on the
quality.
"We build most components for
the grader, and only the engine is not
built here," he said. "Some worked
is farmed out but only because we
lack the floor space. We've kept jobs
here in Goderich and we have the
most capable people in all trade
classifications.
"The training centre program was
a good move. It allowed us to change
over the work force and move people
into different jobs. Foremen could
work with people on a one-to-one
basis and while there were problems
with quality, we've reached the point
where we've brought quality and
production efficiency back."
Last year the company invested
factoring challenges
Today, 43/4 graders come off the line dally
millions of dollars to upgrade
machinery in the shop and Bill has
been involved in the process of
buying new equipment. The
expenditure has. enhanced both
quality and productivity.
"Last year we updated equipment
but it had been seven years since we
had done anything in that regard,"
he said, "It helps us to be a self-
contained ^ eration and we'vef uuijd
that no manufacturer can better our
prices on components. We're
reaching our goa1S with the new
machinery but we have to look for
changes in the .product and way we
do things to continue to improve
quality."
Robotics will be introduced to the
manufacturing process in the .
welding department and some
employees will be involved in new
job opportunities there.
The face of manufacturing has
changed dramatically since Bill
Dobie joined the staff in 1959. But
Champion, and people like Bill, have
always met the challenge.
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