By now, you are well acclimated to the enhancements in the production system that will aid in helping to improve our quality performance. I am glad that we weathered the 2020 pandemic and that we are here to talk about it, but at the same time, we suffered great losses and in so many ways we will never be the same again. Yet, we must pick up the pieces remembering God is with us. We must move forward with more determination to produce the best class A Motorhome chassis and commercial step-van chassis in the industry.
While we were out adjusting to lay-off, many of us ran into difficulty successfully filing for and receiving unemployment payments. Many tried and were unable to contact anyone at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) for assistance. After holding on the line for hours, we learned that UIA had a large backlog of UI claims, suffered from a lack of staff, and had computer system problems. All of this contributed to delays and denials. Frustration was high and morale low.
The Human Capital Team learned of the massive problem and went above and beyond the call of duty behind the scenes working tirelessly with the UIA on the weekends and after work hours when necessary to identify and resolve issues with claims.
Thank you (Edwina Milligan, VP, Human Capital and team) for caring about the well-being of all of the Associates. We appreciate your efforts.
“Thank you for going above and beyond to make this happen…” Michael J. Guthrie, Co-Chairman
“My thanks for this extraordinary service…” Carlton L. Guthrie, Co-Chairman.
GETTING BACK TO PRODUCTION
Now that we are back to regular production and the world around us returns to normal, let’s remember the valuable lessons learned over the past 15 months. Life is fragile. Be careful and stay aware.
Some are still at-risk. Those that received injections are in a better position to help protect our community, but everyone did not get inoculated and they may have legitimate reasons, but everyone is not protected against Covid. Do not misinterpret what the “Powers that Be” are saying by relaxing restrictions associated with the pandemic. Know that people still die daily from Coronavirus, so please be careful. You are an important part of the DC family. You are loved, appreciated and needed.
Due to residual effects of the pandemic our HR team constantly hires new Associates. We expect to see some stability soon. In the meantime, the cross-functional team focuses on Quality because a well-trained Associate is extremely valuable to the production process.
Michael Hinton, VP Human Resources wants to highlight the efforts of Jim Terry, Senior Engineering Warranty Specialist, for stepping up to the plate to assist the team with New Hire Orientation. The sessions are spirited and engaging and emphasizes Safety and following processes.
Jim took the opportunity when asked to mention the hard work of Quality Operating System Coordinators, Verlyn Hodges and Ed Mobley, who are doing an amazing job conducting the Day-3: Tool-Use Hands-on Training. Great Job Verl and Ed. Keep doing what you Do!
Thank you, Jim for being a CHAMPION by acknowledging the efforts of other team members. We appreciate your unique style that is making training more effective. Kudos to everyone involved in New Hire Orientation and Training. Your efforts are helping DC to staff up to build the “BEST” Motorhome and Commercial Step-Van Chassis in the industry.
QUALITY TRAINING
The week of June 16th, the Quality and Operations teams conducted training to improve the Quality Operating System (QOS) and exceed Customer Joy. Initially, the Gatekeepers team grumbled that the tablet training was too difficult for them. Yet, after several more training sessions with Maurice Lucas, Data Analyst and Dr. David Ogbuaku, C3 Quality Engineer, the group shared during a daily reflection how much they enjoyed the tablet training, which motivated Nayeesha Conway, Chief Steward, to take the tablet training class.
LynAngela Tipton, Quality Associate, shared during a daily Quality Training Reflection meeting with the entire training group that she cringed when she heard that she had to attend the visual training class led by Tim Meadows, Assistant Plant Manager, because she thought that he was too hard on the team. Yet, after taking his training class she has established the upmost respect for Tim Meadows as a manager and a person. The training improved associates’ learning development, communication and team building.
The sessions:
Tablet Usage: Maurice Lucas, Data Analyst and David Ogbuaku, C3 Quality Engineer
Visual Confirmation Mapping: Tim Meadows, Assistant Plant Manager
Torque Markings/Quality Alerts: Claudio Enriquez, Assistant Quality Manager and Matt Freeman, CAL Supervisor
ISO 9000: Aslam Saeed, C2 Quality Engineer
CAL Calibration to NFS inspection, Matt Freeman, CAL Supervisor
Gatekeeper Calibration to CAL inspection: Janice Johnson, Gatekeeper/Team Leader
Quality Tip Levels: Ranson Smith, Senior Manager – Quality
UAW Representatives Nayeesha Conway, Kenyetta Boudreaux, and Jimmy Perryman, began walking to the front of the group during a reflection meeting. Carolynn Lofton, Executive Quality Champion grabbed her pen and paper. She prepared to document another UAW concern, when to her surprise, the UAW leaders complimented Detroit Chassis’ management team. They were impressed with the training and shared the high level of confidence they have in the management team’s ability to drive quality improvement.
Caring, focused, kind, hardworking and humble are words I could use to help describe Cynthia Sanders, the latest long-term Detroit Chassis UAW Associate to retire, January 2021. She made it clear that there was no interest in having a celebration of any kind. Still, after hearing her story, I convinced her to let us applaud her diligence and noteworthy love and respect for family and the Detroit Chassis community. “I must retire due to health reasons because I can’t physically give it my all, but make no mistake, I love my job. I still do!”
Cynthia came to Detroit Chassis after gaining two years of production experience at another facility and identified as a high-performer along with others that transitioned from that plant. Cynthia prayed that God would bless her with a job and enjoys sharing how her heart’s desire was realized through the opportunity to work at DCPM.a Fteorri alth Haat,ndl serhe committed to never missing work, showing up before start time, and always doing more than expected. “The Lord gave me a job, and I was so excited. Other Associates tease me because my car is alone sitting in the parking in the morning.” Cynthia willingly shares her knowledge and helps other Associates.
Cynthia described herself before coming to Detroit Chassis as a misplaced housewife. She was a mother of five children (four boys and one girl, including a set of fraternal twins). She had gotten them to the point of nearing independence when she lost her sister to Lou Gehrig’s disease. Cynthia opened her heart and home to her nieces and nephew after their mom passed away. The youngest was just two years old. “I determined that I was going to work no matter what! Nothing was going to keep me from doing my job.” Cynthia explained that her check went to pay babysitters and daycare costs. Still, her mission was to remain employed while caring for this extended family graced with an energetic and cheerful little girl, and keeping them safe and happy. She successfully raised all eight children and rejoices because that beautiful girl is now happily married and has a family of her own. Cynthia shared that she convinced the older niece to apply for work at DCP, and she became another high-performing DCP UAW Associate.
“Please say good-bye to Mike and Carlton, and everyone else. Remember to send my special regards to Dennis Edwards. One day he passed me working on the line, and he could tell that I was stressed out. He asked what he could do to help me do my job, and I responded, “I needed a cart.” I am impressed that he took out time to ask me how I was doing, and he made sure that I had what I needed. So, please tell him that the little lady at the end of the Bird Cage said, “Thank you.” I appreciate him, and I am so glad that I got to know him.” – Cynthia Sanders, Retired DCP Associate Enjoy retirement, Cynthia! You earned this accolade.
Thank you for your many contributions and tireless dedication to Detroit Chassis. The best motorhome chassis is built in the Motor City because of Associates like you!
Happy Holidays to the entire Detroit Chassis Community of Associates, Suppliers and Stakeholders,
This year has been immensely challenging for many reasons, but most of all because of the tremendous impacts the Covid 19 pandemic has had on our community.
We have been blessed. However, many in our community have lost health, employment and loved ones. We are saddened by the wide-spread suffering we see.
Rather than coming together for a holiday gathering as we have done in previous years, we, as a company, committed to marshal our resources in an effort to assist others in need. We decided to partner with three deserving community organizations, who have a well-established track record in serving basic community needs such as food, shelter and family: Gleaners, United Community Housing Coalition and The Children’s Center. Their services are in great demand. These organizations could not hold their traditional premier fund-raising events, so we sought to help fill the gap.
We partnered with UAW Local 155 to conduct a 2020 Charitable Giving Campaign with a commitment from our owners to match Associates’ giving. Our goal was $10,000. By the end of the 2020 Charitable Giving Campaign, which ran from Monday, December 7th through Friday, December 18th
We far exceeded our target by nearly 60%!
Our total raised is $16,935.00.
“Gleaners’ emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic came swiftly and on a substantial scale, starting in March,” said Terry Collia, director of marketing with Gleaners Community Food Bank. “Given that our monthly food distributions have grown from around 3.5-4 million pounds of food, to nearly 7 million, the support of community partners like Detroit Chassis is essential. On behalf of Gleaners, I want to personally thank the Detroit Chassis team and look forward to your continued involvement with our mission.”
Detroit Chassis Avon partnered with UAW Local 2000, Unit 5, to raise $420.00 for the Genesis House Domestic Violence Center, which was also matched by the owners. In addition, they conducted a food-drive that collected two hundred forty-six (246) pounds of food for The Mission Services of Goodwill Food Pantry and gave the Marines, Toys-for-Tots a full box of new name-brand toys and a beautiful bike.
Detroit Chassis is…
Committed People Delivering
World Champion Performance
to Achieve Customer Joy
On Time, All the Time, Every Time.
Detroit Chassis LLC celebrated 20 years in business with a formal program on Friday, December 13, 2019, featuring VIP guests and a delicious luncheon. The company also celebrated 32 associates who achieved 20-year work anniversaries, along with culmination of the 2019 model year, launching of the 2020 model year, and the Christmas holiday! Detroit Chassis is proud to be an automotive manufacturing partner of Ford Motor Company, through production of the Ford F-53 motorhome chassis and the F-59 step van stripped chassis.
Michael and Carlton Guthrie, Co-Chairmen shared their personal mission statements and spoke about the journey and Detroit Chassis’ future in manufacturing with optimism. Thank you to everyone who attended. We realize that there are many demands on your time, but you prioritized your schedule so that you could be at Detroit Chassis for this momentous event.
20 YEAR CELEBRATION
The following Associates were recognized for the milestone achievement of 20 years of service:
Victor Johnson
Reginald Debold
Gregory Scott
Will Bass
Ronnie Alexander
Pete Vasquez
Rozita Stewart
Jeffrey McCoy
Winston Dennis
Brandon Johnson
Deirdre Dudley
Cynthia Sanders
Karana Harrell
Deborah Jones
Michael Smith
Tamara Johnson
Sharon Humphrey
Gregory Miller
Odell Vaughn
Chuck Watts
Janice Johnson
Willie Harris
Frank Thrasher III
Betty Jones
Prozo Green
Leonard Sanders
Debbie Morris
Linda Casaigne
Juliette Grifn-Tyus
Brenda Trice
Avis Wallace
LaShandra Williams
Guests in attendance from Ford Motor Company were:
Gary Johnson, Chief Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Ofcer
Steve Pintar, VLD C Segment Vehicles, NA LVEA Segment, PDC
Tim Young, Director of Manufacturing
John Scholtes, Chief Engineer Commercial Vehicles (retiring)
Michael Pruitt, Chief Engineer Commercial Vehicles
Fred Hallway, Commercial Vehicle Program Manager
Mike Shashlo, Forward Model Optimization GVP,
Manufacturing and Labor Affairs
Prashant Javkar, Manufacturing Business Manager
Emcee Anthony Neely, CEO of Neely Media Group, shared his early experience of meeting the Guthries in the 1990s. Tim Young from Ford provided uplifting comments, and John Scholtes noted that the Detroit Chassis team makes an amazing chassis. John noted that the event would be his last ofcial meeting at Detroit Chassis, due to his retirement on December 23, 2019, after 36 years. John has worked closely with us for several years to deliver the best engineered and best built product on the market. We wish you well in retirement. John indicated that Michael Pruitt will succeed him as Chief Engineer. Michael was introduced and waved to everyone. We look forward to his support and leadership as we move into 2020 and beyond.
John Ritchie, Chassis Control Manager, Thor Motorized Vehicles, requested an opportunity to participate and was a welcomed representative of motorhome body manufacturers. In his statements, John shared positive sentiments about Detroit Chassis, based on his experience as a 20-year customer and purchaser of the F-53 chassis.
Other guests included Aubrey Lee and Julius Readus of Merrill Lynch, Stephanie Fries of the Michigan Economic Growth Corporation, Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, Executive VP, and Lauren Strickland, Business Retention Manager of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Duana King, President, and William Verdier, Jr. Financial Secretary and International Servicing Representative of UAW Local 155, Pastor Shelby Hunter, Kingdom on Earth Ministries, Pastor Lance Pittman and Lance Pittman II, First Praise Pentecostal Church, Ed Prentice, CEO of YEP Nation, Keith Beasley, CEO of Channel One Productions, Tanisha Bronaugh, WorkBased Learning Placement Coordinator of Breithaupt Career and Technical Center and 350 Detroit Chassis Associates.
Rachel Adenaas, Mrs. Michigan 2019, was also in attendance and was a gracious participant throughout the luncheon. She took photos with Associates and greeted guests. Rachel praised Detroit Chassis Associates for demonstrating a great work ethic and team spirit. She said that in her visits to manufacturing sites, she had never witnessed such enthusiasm, nor had she experienced the family atmosphere that exists at Detroit Chassis.
Thank you to all of the suppliers that provided services for the event, particularly Creative Marketing Solutions, Gary’s Catering, G&C Equipment Rental, and Party Paradise. Your timing, class, and professionalism were second to none, and your creativity turned our production entrance into a beautiful dining hall.
Additional contributing suppliers helped us give away 61 gifts valued at a total of $3,329. We could not have done this without you: Sigma Pac, Unifrst, MSC Direct Supply, Safety Source and Marco Net.
Kudos to members of the Detroit Chassis management team: Mike Hinton, VP HR, Pamela Edwards, Controller, Paola Cabrera, Purchasing, Paul Levandowski, Senior Manager Business Development, Jaavon Hairston, BAMM Intern and Dr. Linda Ratliff-Watkins, Director Community Support and Ministry, Senior Manager Customer Service—all of whom served as the initial Project Planning Committee. The extended committee included: Dennis Edwards, President, Jerome Huddleston, Plant Manager, Phillip White, Operations/Continuous Improvement Manager, Vernon Butler, Engineering Manager, Paul Grech, Manufacturing Engineer/Maintenance Manager, and Quinten Harris, Facilities. Nicole Gordy, Accounting Manager, Toni Siders, HR Generalist, Michelle Taylor, Accounting Analyst and Inecia McKinney, Accounts Payable assisted with decorations.
Kudos to the entire Team for inspiration, vision and tenacity, and in the words of Tim Young, Director of Manufacturing, Ford Motor Company: “Here’s to another 20 years!” The Best Motorhome Chassis is Built in the Motor City!
Michael and Carlton Guthrie Recognized at the 6th Annual Sankofa Black Business Awards Gala
DETROIT, MI – Detroit Chassis LLC, an automotive manufacturing company of niche vehicles, Motorhome and Commercial Truck chassis, celebrates being named the 2018 Black Business of the Year by the National Business League at its 2018 Sankofa Awards Gala held at the Motor City Casino November 17, 2018. Detroit Chassis was among 3,000 businesses nationwide who were considered for this prestigious award. Detroit Chassis was recognized for its vision driven, innovative and proactive approaches to economic and community development and employee empowerment and well-being.
Owners Michael and Carlton Guthrie accepted the Award on behalf of Detroit Chassis. Their strategic business plan returned skilled manufacturing jobs from Mexico to inner city Detroit through collaboration with the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan and Ford Motor Company. Detroit Chassis developed a greenfield State-of-the-Art Chassis assembly plant, worked with the UAW to design an innovative collective bargaining agreement that enhances flexibility and competitiveness, and embraced Vision, Mission, and Values that drive “World Champion” performance and Customer Joy. The Guthries have exercised transformative leadership positions in several industry, community and charitable organizations at local, state and national levels.
The Guthries, raised in Gary, IN were valedictorians of their high school senior graduating classes. (Michael – Edison HS ’68 and Carlton – West Side HS ’70). They along with their three siblings (Sheryl – Edison HS Salutatorian ’67; Cynthia – West Side HS ’73 Valedictorian; and, Joseph – West Side HS ’74) are lifetime Gary Alumni Pathways to Students (GAPS) members and are instrumental in the leadership of this organization of which Carlton is Chairman. GAPS connects current students to alumni through programs that create pathways for career and personal success.
Michael and Carlton Guthrie are Co-Chairmen and sole shareholders of Spectra LMP LLC, a Detroit, Michigan based holding company with several automotive manufacturing and engineering subsidiaries. Spectra’s subsidiaries and affiliates include: Detroit Chassis LLC, an assembler of running Class A RV and commercial truck chassis; Detroit Chassis Avon, a tier 1 provider of axles and tire & wheel assemblies to the medium-duty commercial truck industry located in Avon, OH; Detroit Custom Chassis, LLC, a provider of custom up-fits and alternative powertrain conversions for commercial truck chassis and HealthCure, LLC, a provider of infectious disease mitigation, prevention, consulting and remediation services and products that prevent nosocomial infections in healthcare facilities utilizing a patented anti-microbial and proprietary database headquartered in Charlotte, NC.
This year’s Gala was presented by Ford Motor Company and featured keynote speaker, Rosalind Brewer, COO and Group President, Starbucks, and was hosted by WXYZ Anchor, Glenda Lewis and NBL CEO Dr. Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D.
About Detroit Chassis LLC
Detroit Chassis (detroitchassis.com) is a subsidiary of Spectra LMP LLC, a concept to customer provider of niche vehicle manufacturing solutions owned by Michael and Carlton Guthrie. Spectra also owns Detroit Custom Chassis (www.detroitcustomchassis.com) a provider of custom up-fits, alternative powertrain conversions and complex sub-assemblies to a variety of automotive, Motorhome, commercial truck and transit industries. Detroit Chassis has been recognized by Quality Magazine on the Quality Leadership 100 list, and as “Supplier of the Year” by the National Minority Business Development Council and by On Wheels, Inc.
About the National Business League
The National Business League, Inc. (NBL) is the oldest trade association in America, founded on August 23, 1900, by Booker T. Washington, as a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian, commerce-driven institution dedicated to the economic empowerment of Black businesses, communities, and people with access to 2.6 million Black businesses across the country. Through its value-add programmatic initiatives and partnerships, it supports Black-owned businesses locally, regionally, nationally, and throughout the Pan-African Diaspora.
DETROIT, MI – Detroit Chassis LLC, an automotive manufacturer of niche vehicles, RV and Commercial Truck chassis celebrates 20 years in business. The company owned by brothers Michael and Carlton Guthrie is located on Detroit’s eastside and employees over 250 Associates.
The first F-53 RV chassis rolled off its assembly line in 1999. Since that time there have been many enhancements, launches and upgrades to this product. It has evolved into multiple wheel base and GVW options to suite customer needs. The company began production of the F-59 commercial truck chassis in 2010 and volumes have greatly increased due to enthusiastic customer acceptance. Detroit Chassis has shipped more than 190,000 F-53 and F-59 chassis since its initial launch in addition to thousands of low speed electric vehicles, postal trucks and shuttle bus chassis.
The 2020 model year brings more exciting features for both the F-53 RV and F-59 commercial truck chassis including Ford’s latest electrical architecture, its Collision Avoidance and Driver Support System (CADS) option. New offerings feature forward collision mitigation (FCM), lane departure warning (LDW), auto-high beam, and the all-new 7.3-L V8 engine.
“Detroit Chassis has prepared for disruptive changes in the transportation and mobility sectors by identifying growth opportunities and also by augmenting its senior management team and technical resources. These additions bring decades of experience in RV and commercial truck product development and manufacturing. A growing demand for commercial trucks powered by alternative energy and delivering better fuel efficiency and zero or lower emissions has once again created intriguing niche opportunities.” Michael Guthrie, Co-Chairman.
“It is exciting to celebrate this milestone achievement with so many of our Associates who will also celebrate 20 year work anniversaries this year. We have a dedicated, highly-skilled workforce and I expect that Detroit Chassis will continue to provide “Joy” to its customers by delivering outstanding performance in the heart of the city of Detroit.” Carlton Guthrie, Co-Chairman.
Detroit Chassis is actively working with technology developers of low-emission and zero-emission systems to integrate, install and market their packages on a scaled-down version of the F-59 chassis later this year. The company expects that every innovation will solidify its hard-won reputation as a valued collaborator for OEM and aftermarket clients.
About Detroit Chassis
Detroit Chassis is a subsidiary of Spectra LLC, a concept to customer provider of niche vehicle manufacturing solutions also owned by Michael and Carlton Guthrie. Spectra owns Detroit Custom
Chassis, www.detroitcustomchassis.com, a provider of custom up-fits, conversions and complex sub-assemblies to a variety of automotive, commercial truck and transit industries, and Detroit Chassis Avon provider of axles and tire & wheel assemblies to the medium and heavy duty truck industry located in Avon, OH.
System (QOS) and exceed Customer Joy. Initially, the Gatekeepers team grumbled that the tablet training was too difficult for them. Yet, after several more training sessions with Maurice Lucas, Data Analyst and Dr. David Ogbuaku, C3 Quality Engineer, the group shared during a daily reflection how much they enjoyed the tablet training, which motivated Nayeesha Conway, Chief Steward, to take the tablet training class.
Rather than coming together for a holiday gathering as we have done in previous years, we, as a company, committed to marshal our resources in an effort to assist others in need. We decided to partner with three deserving community organizations, who have a well-established track record in serving basic community needs such as food, shelter and family: Gleaners, United Community Housing Coalition and The Children’s Center. Their services are in great demand. These organizations could not hold their traditional premier fund-raising events, so we sought to help fill the gap.
We partnered with UAW Local 155 to conduct a 2020 Charitable Giving Campaign with a commitment from our owners to match Associates’ giving. Our goal was $10,000. By the end of the 2020 Charitable Giving Campaign, which ran from Monday, December 7th through Friday, December 18th
“Gleaners’ emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic came swiftly and on a substantial scale, starting in March,” said Terry Collia, director of marketing with Gleaners Community Food Bank. “Given that our monthly food distributions have grown from around 3.5-4 million pounds of food, to nearly 7 million, the support of community partners like Detroit Chassis is essential. On behalf of Gleaners, I want to personally thank the Detroit Chassis team and look forward to your continued involvement with our mission.”
ank you to all of the suppliers that provided services for the event, particularly Creative Marketing Solutions, Gary’s
Catering, G&C Equipment Rental, and Party Paradise. Your timing, class, and professionalism were second to none, and your creativity turned our production entrance into a beautiful dining hall.
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