Operations Initiates “World Class” Teamwork
3/21/2006

WE ARE COMMITTED TO WIN/WIN OUTCOMES THROUGH TEAMWORK

DETROIT, MI – Detroit Chassis LLC, an automotive manufacturing company of niche vehicles and RV chassis, announced today that it has set sail to achieve new and improved milestones for safety, quality, and productivity through cross-functional teamwork and total associate involvement. As the lean principles have continued to transform the organization, DCP has become a leader, adapting to change and challenging the standard.

The operations division has deployed teams to provide rapid improvements or what are known as, “KAIZEN EVENTS”, driving cross-functional teamwork and improvements in the areas of safety, quality, and productivity. We developed data based improvement standards and incorporated these items into the F-53 operations team incentive plan for improving & sustaining safety, quality, and productivity levels. The plan was implemented the week of March 13, 2006 during the reassignment of production teams.

The operations business units (Team 1 & Team 2) performed at the top of their game the first week but we all know that lean is a never-ending journey in search of perfection. In reviewing the week’s data, areas for improvement were targeted, and teams were dispatched. Each team consisting of union & non-union associates utilizing the six-sigma / lean tools to determine contributing factors and root cause of the issues at hand. Leaders led the teams utilizing the fishbone diagram and the five why tools to review each process enabling the group to re-create the failures and understand important contributing factors with the team collectively providing solutions.

The events of Friday, March 17th could be considered as the most powerful exhibition of teamwork and transformation of knowledge to ever take place at DCP. Associates from across the company shared expertise and drove solutions while developing an understanding that each tool is proactively applicable from process through safety, quality, productivity, operations, finance, and HR. Congratulations to all, I am very proud to be member of the Detroit Chassis Team.

Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com