8/3/2019 Case Study - Kenyon Manufacturing Company

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Kenyon Manufacturing Company

The Kenyon Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of precision radio and television parts for three popular makes of

radios and two makes of television sets, began operations in 1946. The firm is owned by Robert F. Brier and Milton S.

Tobey. Mr Brier, an industrial engineer, graduated from college in 1941 and spent four years in the military service as a

weapons designer. Mr Tobey is the more experienced, having been connected with radio manufacturing for nearly

twenty years.

The plant, located on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico, occupies a two-story building along the Santa Fe

Railroad tracks. The twenty-year-old brick building is in excellent condition both inside and outside. The company, which

started with 32 workers, has grown to 86 employees.

Mr Brier spends most of his time in the designing department with his two assistants. Mr Tobey is in charge of

manufacturing. The office force consists of five employees headed by Samuel H. Holden, the office manager, who is Mr

Tobeys brother-in-law.

The manufacturing process requires much precision work. Many processes require minute details. The foreman, Joe

Fanella, believes this close, detailed work is the cause of increase absenteeism. Recently, Joe told Mr Tobey that there

were numerous complaints about lighting conditions in the plant. He also stated that his records show that during the

past year absenteeism increased on an average of from 3 to 5 workers a day.

Mr Tobey instructed Mr Holden to study the absentee problem and to submit a possible solution. During the next two

weeks Mr Holden conducted a thorough investigation. A summary of his major findings follows:

1. Present fluorescent light fixtures, installed two years ago, are adequate.2. Forty-nine employees wear glasses.3. Shades on the thirty, large, factory-type windows are drawn most of the time since glare interferes with the

employees work.

4. A talk with employees who were absent during the past month revealed the chief cause to be eyestrain andnervous fatigue.

Mr Holden proposed two possible solutions: (1) paint the window glass and use artificial light at all times; (2) replace the

windows with glass block. Each window is 4 feet wide and 8 feet high. Since the building stands alone, he favours the

second recommendation because the glass block will best reduce the intense glare cause by the bright New Mexico sun.

Mr Holden states that the theory behind glass blocks is to diffuse light, control contrast, and eliminate glare and shadow

He further favours this measure because it will provide improved insulation, which will reduce the high cost of heating

and air-conditioning and permit more even manufacturing temperatures.

After reading the report, Mr Tobey concluded that the windows should be painted. He believed that the cost of glass

blocks in the thirty windows would not justify the results attained. Which one of Mr Holdens proposals should be

adopted? Why?

In my opinion the 2nd

recommendation is the best solution. First, absenteeism is a liability to the company. 3 to 5 absent

workers a day is a loss to the productivity and profitability of the company. If we only painted the windows, the electric

consumption will still increase due to the artificial lights, air-conditioning and heating. The paint will not last longer.

Then, if we put the glass blocks, electric expenses will become lower due to the reduction of heating, air-conditioning

and lightings. Thus, making the environment will be more suitable for the machineries to work efficiently. It will lessen

the absenteeism because workers will become healthier. The cost of the glass blocks may be high but it can be earned

due to the increase in productivity and profitability. Lastly, health is wealth.