Training Gives Car Manufacturers Efficiency Boost
A global car manufacturer is reaping the benefits of training, after updating the skills of its workforce.
Calsonic Kansei has put 64 of its staff through plastics polymer training with the Polymer Training and Innovation Centre, based in Telford.
The move has enabled the Sunderland-based company to move into cellular manufacturing, a step that has seen a dramatic increase in quality levels.
Trevor Metcalfe, from Calsonic Kansei, said: “Two years ago, when Calsonic Kansei took over Magna we took a close look at our operations.
“We realized we had two groups of staff with very distinct job roles, and that this wasn’t necessarily the most efficient way to run our factory.
“We decided to put our operators through plastics polymer training to broaden their skills and work more efficiently. Operators can now perform their own machine changeovers and previous machine setters perform the role of a Lead Operator.
“As a result of the training we were able to break the mould shop into smaller cells, each one staffed with multi skilled workers who can perform all roles within the cell. Cellular manufacture gives us more control over our key performance indicators such as efficiency, quality and morale.
“The training has been so effective that our quality performance has improved from a 10,000 PPM process defect rate to our most recent 50 PPM performance – this has made a huge difference to our competitiveness and customer satisfaction.”
The Polymer Training and Innovation Centre was formed in February 2010 after City of Wolverhampton College purchased the assets of Polymer Training Limited following its collapse.
For more information please contact Charmaine on 01952 610101.