HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 150�CNpMPION
GSS/Wednesday. Nov. 5, 1986
illions of manufactured and
purchased parts flow
through the Champion
system anti materials manager John
Stoll ensures the proper inventory is
on hand to complete the job.
The former purchasing manager
moved into materials management
over a year ago, a job that ties in
outside purchasing, inventory and
traffic. A former Timberjack
employee, Stoll came to Champion in
1973 and worked in the purchasing
department under Frank Clement.
He was named manager of the
department in 1982.
With the implementation of the
oiuthrturing
system pending, it was imperative
the company develop a more rigid
inventory control system.
The job of materials manager
evolved over a period of time and
was a natural progression for Stoll
from purchasing since it involved
inventory, traffic and purchasing.
MRP now means that the entire
system is accountable.
"MRP is a formalized way of
doing business. First, in
manufacturing, you have to decide
what you need to build the product.
Achill of material. We knew what we
needed to build the grader but we
always carried a bunch of other
parts. Now, we can provide an
accurate bill of material.
It's important to know what you
lv
have in inventory and closed stores
has a 95 per cent demand on
accuracy. There is also a demand
from marketing for forecasting
accuracy. Ten years ago, MRP
provided accurate bills of material
and inventory control. But MRP II
ties in finance, marketing,
purchasing the guys on the shop
floor, the whole company."
Accountability was lacking before,
Stoll claims, adding that the MRP II
system drives itself to
accountability. "Everyone is on the
same song sheet. It's called a closed
loop system so if there's an error,
it's exposed."
For the system to work requires
the commitment of everyone at
Champion and to that end, the
company has ensured that everyone
has received at least basic training.
It takes time to educate 750 people
but every employee has been
exposed to at least two hours of
training while others put in 80 hours
of classroom time.
"There are some bugs in the
system but it requires,discipline and
it takes time to educate everyone.
We have a task force set up that's
working on the problems and
everyday they select a random part
and check on the quantity and
location.
"Tie old system was frustrating.
This system represents change, it
represents control and it represents
a commitment. We can see that the
end result is well worthwhile. It will
mean less inventory and the
inventory that's there will be
consumable."
Control of inventory to that degree
is important to Champion since it
only builds motor graders it sells
while competitors will build
machines and simply sell from
•
stock.
A vertically integrated company,
Stol>-.,bie.,.es..rhampiion is_more_self-
contained. than most C nadian
manufacturers. About 50 per cent of
the cost of the grader is represented
in outside dollars he said.
A member of the Champion team
for over 13 years now, Stoll is
impressed with the company's
commitment to its employees.
"I've never been associated with a
company that is as proactive with
developing and promoting people
from within. Logistics says that it
makes sense from a geography •
standpoint but, typically, Champion
promotes from within," he said.
"We're probably more vertically
integrated than anyone. We are a
large Canadian manufacturer with a
large assembly operation."
KENNAMETAL
CARBIDE METALWORKING PRODUCTS
We are proud to have been part of the continuing
success story of Champion Road Machinery. Both
management and staff extend congratulations on
the achievement of a century of business and best
wishes for the future.
IEKENNAMETAL
000srr
1, .v -
�Toronto plant & offices:
i
Kennametal metal Ltd.
1425 The Queensway
Toronto, Ontario M8Z 1T4
phone: 416-252-7851
BorgWarner
Automotive
Congratulations to
Champion Road Machinery Limited
on their
_ 100th Year of Excellence!
s
BORG-WARNER ...........
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OFF -HIGHWAYS SYSTEMS INC.
1200 WINDSOR ROAD
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 611257007
TELEPHONE: 815-633-7460
We supply Rockford °
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Road to help make
them a World Leader.