![Safety Update]()
by Detroit Chassis | Jan 29, 2016 | Uncategorized
Good SAFETY performance is important and contributes to the bottom line.
Detroit Chassis is showing improvements in SAFETY and the team is focusing on making the SAFETY Program more robust. The Incident Rate for 2015 is 6.19 just above the industry average. Our goal is to achieve World Champion performance so clearly we have work to do to realize better results in SAFETY. Everyone on board is excited about working together to improve our SAFETY performance.
Near miss and Unsafe Conditions are also tracked, discussed at length in various meetings and precautionary measures are implemented to eliminate the cause and keep the incident from reoccurring.
You can help with this process. The first step is to recognize a hazard in the workplace, for example “A puddle of fluid on the floor, seems simple but what you do with the puddle is a different story. Do you walk through the puddle, assuming it is only water? What about the oil or grease on the bottom of your shoe? When you introduce water, you create a potential slip issue. A slip issue that could have been prevented if:
- the puddle had been reported to Facilities/Supervisor
- the puddle had been cleaned up or the area blocked off until additional resources could help
- travelers walked around the puddle
Some health and safety hazards are not always obvious. Hazard recognition also includes:
- Identify potential hazards in your work area
- Identify the adverse effects that may be associated with the hazard
- Determining whether there is a possibility of people being exposed or affected by the hazard
If a potential hazard is recognized using these three steps, the hazard must then be assessed. Hazard assessment is a process of evaluating an identified workplace hazard. The assessment covers equipment, process and work procedures. An assessment considers which Associates, if any, are exposed – or likely to be exposed – to an identified
hazard and for how long.
- Lacking Machine guards
- Biological or Chemical hazards
- Ergonomic hazards
- Excessive noise, vibration, energy, weather, heat, cold, electricity, radiation and pressure
If you see or are experiencing any of these hazards or have any additional concerns, please contact your Department leaders for help.
by Detroit Chassis | Dec 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
This year’s holiday celebration was held at the plant Friday, December 18, 2015 at the conclusion of the production day.
Many thanks to company owners Michael and Carlton Guthrie for making this celebration possible, to suppliers Curtis Evans, Curtis Industrial Services; Walter Rosati, Sigmapac and Stacy Meagher, Creative Marketing Solutions for donating gifts and prizes for the free raffle give-away. Michael and Carlton Guthrie also contributed 2 Detroit Chassis black fleece embroidered jackets. Associates had 38 chances to win great prizes.
A hearty thank you is also extended to Jackson’s Five Star Catering for providing the tasty meal of Fried Cat Fish, Chicken (baked and fried), Macaroni & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Greens, Green Beans, Fresh Rolls, and Tossed Salad. Desserts were provided by Detroit Chassis.
The 2015 Christmas planning committee led by Human Capital did a wonderful job preparing for the event. This year’s celebration was packed with anticipation and excitement. Thirty-eight Associates won prizes including tickets to the Janet Jackson concert and gift cards from Massage Envy, Citgo/Shell Gas, Wal-Mart, Meijer’s, Lowe’s, Bed, Bath and Beyond and tickets to Detroit Pistons and Red Wings games.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
See you in 2016!
Linda J. Ratliff-Watkins
Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com
by Detroit Chassis | Nov 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
Today, Detroit Chassis bids farewell to Raymond Baillargeon. Ray has been at Detroit Chassis since before the beginning. He managed the facilities build-out from a bare parking lot in December, 1998 to start of chassis production in our 218,000 sq. ft. completed building in mid-November, 1999, a span of 11 hectic months. This has to be an all-time record for a launch of this complexity and timing. It could not have been done without Ray’s versatility, energy, persistence and get it done attitude. Detroit Chassis remains part of your legacy Ray!
Ray also held or led many management responsibilities during his tenure of more than 30 years. They include:
– Production Control
– Production Planning
– Materials
– IT/ERP
– Sales
– Business Development
– Engineering
– Launch Mgr.
– Customer Service and Training
– Facilities
– TruMack Assembly (now Detroit Chassis) launch team
– Continuous Improvement support throughout
Ray’s diverse background and skills have always been an incredible organizational asset. His willingness to involve himself in matters outside his lane has always been an incredible asset to his colleagues but sometimes a source of consternation to others.
But Ray has always been motivated by the desire to do his job and make a difference. And he surely has.
Ray has driven a daily round trip from Webberville MI, a distance of approximately 140 miles for the last 17 years in all kinds of weather, traffic and road construction. He has worn out multiple Focuses or Focii.
“Two words come to mind as I transition to my next opportunity, gratitude and pride. I have been enormously blessed to be a part of the Detroit Chassis family and for that I’ll always be grateful.
I’m also extremely proud of our family and the products we make through hard work and dedication. We may never see each other again but, you’ll always be my family and I will forever carry you in my heart.” Raymond Baillargeon
Michael Guthrie, Raymond Baillargeon and Linda Ratliff-Watkins
Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com
by Detroit Chassis | Nov 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
Detroit Chassis is pleased to announce that new talent has been added to the Engineering and Operations Departments. Today, we want to highlight Richard Bott, Electrical Controls Engineer, Paul Grech, Engineer and Maurice Turner, Production Lead in Operations.
Richard Bott, Electrical Controls Engineer came aboard early last month and brings a wealth of knowledge from his 34+ years in automotive manufacturing. He has a history in not only controls and electrical but also mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, business management and supervision. He is looking forward to working with this team and appreciates our family environment. He likes interaction so stop him and introduce yourself when he walks by. Richard is interested in solving problems and we anticipate he will be instrumental in assisting the company to address controls issues with EOL testing. This will decrease downtime and increase throughput.
Paul Grech, Engineer, attended Eastern Michigan University. Throughout his career he has enhanced various manufacturing processes and coordinated the construction of several facilities. Paul has experience in extensive machine repair, design and improvements, and building construction. He also served as the maintenance/facilities supervisor.
He is a family man, who enjoys spending time with his wife Sara, their twin girls Julia and Layla and their son Joseph. In his spare time, he works on home improvement and redesign projects.
Maurice Turner, Production Lead is the father of (3) and a native of Flint, Michigan. Maurice attended Flint Southwestern Academy where he was a stand-out in track and field and won the National Outstanding Student Athlete Award. He was named to All State as a Honorable Mention, All Conference, and All City. His achievements academically and athletically earned him a scholarship to Michigan State University.
It was at Michigan State University that he would develop his passion for working and motivating people. He would earn a Bachelors degree in Human Resources and minor in Psychology with a concentration in business; all while working summers in the supervisor development program for an OEM.
After working in other industries, Maurice returned to Michigan and made the decision to return to the automotive industry this time working for an OEM as a Unit Leader. He was tasked with Business Unit Leader roles and the chassis department for his crew. His Kaizens and continuous improvement projects were responsible for the hard savings of approximately $500,000 in one years’ time.
In his spare time, Maurice coaches basketball for Atherton High School and does some individual training. In addition to the full-time responsibility of his recovering father, he is also a fan of the Cinema, riding motorcycles, playing basketball and restoring automobiles with his pride being a 1980 Oldsmobile 98.
Richard, Paul and Maurice are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Detroit Chassis Family.
We look forward to your contributions.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM!
Linda Ratliff-Watkins
Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com
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