EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER€¦ · process of producing the wide fabric on a Picanol Loom and Juarez laser...
Transcript of EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER€¦ · process of producing the wide fabric on a Picanol Loom and Juarez laser...
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EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER
WE SAVE LIVES
A Leader in Mobility Safety
Machinery and Equipment
This Month we will be focusing on programs that
highlight the critical role equipment plays in our
work environment.
Mostly we focus on the nature of machines as the
way we get work done, when the machines stop,
work stops, our production is stopped, and unplanned
“breakdowns” demand the attention of our resources
to get up and running again. But there is so much
more involved with the topic of equipment. Is it
safe to operate? Is it making good quality parts? Is it
performing to the environmental and energy
parameters set for it? We are fortunate that much of
our machinery today is self-diagnosing or even self-
correcting in many aspects. We do, however, need to
remain vigilant, particularly after machine downtime
to make sure the equipment is totally safe to operate
and capable of producing parts within the designated
quality specifications.
Operation of manufacturing equipment in this factory
is important. It is a team responsibility to clean it,
monitor it, and maintain it. Through our production
“TPM” programs and our maintenance “Equipment
Ownership” programs we will develop world class
approaches to keeping our machinery in top notch
operating order. With a network of specialists and
documentation of best practices for operation we will
learn and build on our knowledge base.
We have made good progress in our efforts to expand
5s and improve the presentation of the facility. Please
keep up the good work and embrace our equipment
focus in the same enthusiasm.
Mike James
KSS Plant Manager
Equipment Ownership
As we continue into the new year, we aim to
think bigger, challenge complacency, and
continuously improve every aspect of our
business. The Equipment Ownership Program
means taking responsibility and pride in your
area and equipment. By taking ownership you
have taken on the task of keeping it clean and
functioning to the best of its ability. This
program teaches individuals to invest their time
and energy into improving and maintaining a
small part of a bigger picture. By doing so, one
begins to value each step of the process and
contribute their efforts to overall plant success.
Here are some important things to know as you
learn more about the Equipment Ownership
Program:
Eliminate unscheduled downtime and product
quality issues created by running equipment out
of specifications, providing predictable output
and stable quality.
When everyone follows standard work, wasteful
down time and constant fire fighting will be
eliminated.
A successful TPM/Equipment Ownership
Program relies on TEAM WORK from
everyone.
Lean manufacturing is the relentless pursuit of
eliminating waste in every process and
procedure.
5s is the first major building block for
continuous improvement.
Equipment Ownership; as part of our Total
Preventative Maintenance program, it is
designed to ensure each piece of equipment
meets or exceeds its original specification.
Knoxville, TN– March 2017
Editor: Mitzi McCammon
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March 2017
Ribbon Loom Expansion
Recently Joe Davis and Dr. Ma collaborated to
come up with a more efficient solution to
produce fabric ribbon at an improved cost.
Through their teamwork and collaboration, Dr.
Ma was able to design something to enhance the
6 head loom machines and ultimately better suit
the needs of KSS and its customers. We were
able to purchase these machines at a fraction of
the cost compared to our previous way of
producing. In fact, the concept was so effective
that KSS has decided to purchase 6 more Ribbon
Looms! Please see page 3 for full diagram and
objectives.
Left to right: Joe Davis, Tim Hunt, Dr. Xiaofeng Ma
Think Big - Take Risks
The take off unit allows us to produce ribbon directly into boxes that are ready to ship to our customers rather
than on spools. This has proved to be more effective and efficient for the product we are producing and
consumers we are providing for. This new design provides flexible packaging to better meet our customer needs.
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6 Head Loom Expansion Update
We have purchased 6 additional Ribbon Looms from DKY. These looms are 6-head looms and will produce
7.5 million yards annually. This project is substantially more cost effective in comparison to the current
process of producing the wide fabric on a Picanol Loom and Juarez laser cutting it into 1” ribbons. We have
been running our 1 DKY Loom for 4 months with almost 100% uptime. The new looms will arrive in March
and we plan to be running production by mid-April. This also allows ~ 2 Picanol looms to change to other
fabric and further support for the growing demand for flat fabric. KSS is excited to welcome this product and
begin achieving new objectives set forth for our company!
If you have any questions about the addition of these machines please see Ross Smelser.
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2016 Environmental News
We implemented a number of green initiatives in
2016. Some of the more prominent ones are listed
below:
1) Installation of the new steam generator – The new
steam generator reduces the use of nature gas and
provides a more efficient source of steam verses
the old boiler system used in the past. Steam is
required for both the Slasher operation, heating the
drying cans, and for the Finishing Range, heating
up the wash tanks. Estimates are the steam
generator will reduce gas usage by about 35%-
40%. Focus on results and build long term
success!
2) Elimination of MEK chemical for Finishing Range
bar code cleaning – Robert Collins worked with
Textiles Management and Engineering to find an
alternative chemical to use for the Finishing
Range bar code cleaning process. The new
chemicals provide a more environmentally
friendly alternative to MEK. Be empowered and
deliver on commitments.
3) Energy Management Team – a cross functional
team was created in 2016 to review our energy
usage (electricity, natural gas, water and
wastewater) and look for ways to reduce our
energy consumption. The core team members are
Mike James, Plant Manager, DJ Neil, Facility
Manager, Ross Smelser, Engineering Manager,
Shannon Harris, HS&E Specialist, Robert
Lafollette, Maintenance Team Lead, Doug
McNamara, Assistant Controller, and Mitzi
McCammon, Human Resource Manager. We look
forward to the contributions this team can
implement in 2017! Please let anyone on the team
know of suggestions for reducing our utility usage.
Win as ONE team!
Some of the projected green initiatives for 2017 show
great promise in continuing our environmental
improvements as a Company.
Some of the initial items we are implementing are:
1) Actions to improve recycling and reduce trash sent
to the landfill – Some of you may have noticed
work at the textile’s dock recently on the old trash
compactor. We will be moving to a new trash
vendor who will sort through all trash and pull our
anything that can be recycled prior to sending to
the landfill. This should drastically reduce our
landfill quantities and improve our recycling
numbers for CY 2017. We hope to have the new
compactor operational by the end of March!
Charts detailing our 2016 recycling numbers are
included on the following page. Challenge
complacency and embrace change.
We want to thank everyone for their efforts to meet
our environmental objectives. We will soon have new
environmental objectives set for 2017 and will
communicate those to everyone sometime in the next
few weeks. If you have any suggestions to improving
our environmental or safety initiatives, please see
either Shannon Harris or Mitzi McCammon.
Our ISO audit is tentatively scheduled for April 13th
and 14th. However, we are hoping to change those
dates due to the Good Friday holiday on April 14th.
We will keep you updated on the finalized date.
March 2017
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March 2017
KSS February Anniversaries
Paula Smith
Assembly General
28 Years
Betty Poole
Assembly General
24 Years
Diane Riden
Assembly General
24 Years
Lynnette Reed
Assembly General
24 Years
Jennifer Flores
Shopper
3 Years
Ingrid Elmore
Assembly General
2 Years
Seth Luedtke—
Maintenance Tech
3 Years
Donald Allen
Shipping/Receiving
24 Years
John Austin
Utility
3 Years
Joyce Luttrell
Quality Tech
29 Years
James Whillock
Loom Tech
24 Years
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Happy Birthday!
David Carter Robin Hatcher Heather Burke
Sebahate Dauti
Shinae Wampler Rodney Hensley
Leanne Webb
Samantha Hardwick Perry McKee Julie Shaw
Lakeia Wells
Scott Killebrew Bradford Beckam
Alice Sanders
Jerry Strickland
Mira Kim Lynnette Reed
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March 2017
5s - Employee Spotlight– Win as One Team
Keleigh Garret has been with us for 2 years. She does a great job keeping her weaving zone clean. She is
seen sweeping and mopping her zone frequently. She makes sure that the scrap yarn is in the garbage can and
not hanging out everywhere to prevent trip hazards. She is a wonderful example to follow and we appreciate
all that she does to better KSS Knoxville. Keep up the good work, Keleigh!
Sara King began working with us in 2014. She is an extremely hard worker that will go out of her way to
help any individual. Sara is currently the 5S Area Champion in two areas of the plant, the forklift charging
area and packaging. Her drive to always work hard and be involved is a great asset to 5S and Key Safety
Systems. We can always count on her to get the job done and have a positive attitude while doing so! We
appreciate all that you do, Sara!
Keleigh Garret
Textiles General
Sara King
Utility
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March 2017
5s– Open Areas
What does it mean to be a 5s Area Champion? Being a
5s Champion means that you are “responsible” for the
5s score for the area. It is your job to drive the culture
change to support outstanding 5s practices. This
program encourages ownership and willingness to
learn, grow, and lead those around you in order to
make Key Safety Systems a better work environment
for all. Please see the list below for areas that are in
need of a 5s Area Champion. If you are interested in
getting involved and bettering your workplaces, please
contact Marci Lubs, Betty Spedowski, or Caroline
Testerman.
Get Connected - Stay Connected
In addition to the Facebook and Twitter page, KSS has
also welcomed a blog! What is a blog you might ask?
A blog is a regularly updated website or web page,
typically one run by an individual or small group, that
is written in an informal or conversational style. Our
blog allows us to keep all Employee Newsletters in
one place easily assessable for YOU! Other
information, photos, and upcoming events will also be
presented on the blog. We are excited to present new
ways in which we can interact with employees and
receive feedback. You can access Key Safety Systems
Knoxville blog at:
https://kssemployeenewsletter.wordpress.com/
5s Quiz Winner:
Chong Shindledecker
LIKE our Facebook page or FOLLOW us
on Twitter for a chance to WIN!
Those who have already liked our Facebook page OR followed our
Twitter page will also be entered for a chance to win!
Facebook: @KeySafetySystemsKnox
Twitter: @KSS_Knox
Lambda LH OPEN
LF PAB OPEN
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March 2017
Job Bid / Shift Bid Awards
Bo Harrell has been awarded a shift bid from second to first shift. Congratulations!
Bo Harrell
Textiles General
Brandon Phillips
Assembly General
New Hires
Welcome to KSS!
Andrew Cornelius
Textiles General Austin Brumitte
Loom Tech
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March 2017
Be transparent and confront facts
Focus on results and build long term success
Be empowered and deliver on commitments
Win as one team
Challenge complacency and embrace change
Think big, take risks, and learn from mistakes
Key Safety Systems Knoxville
Core Values
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“When a flower does not bloom
you fix the environment in
which it grows, not the flower”