Introduction: - Based out of Lima, OH, and Treadway Tire Company operates a plant which supplies tires to leading tire manufacturers.
Background: - The organization with a total of 1,120 employees had 970 hourly based and 150 salary based employees. As Lima Plant is the top rated among Treadway’s tire plants with modern equipments, the management closed out the Greenville plant as the equipment was outdate and moved the volume to Lima plant.
Problem: - Management implemented cost cuttings by bring down no. of shifts from three to two by running them for 12hrs. Because of long working hours the employee’s turn in rate for everyday was alarmingly increasing. There are two reasons why many line foreman ended up leaving the company: 1) They didn’t have the proper training to do their job right, 2) There was tension between the line foreman and their superiors.
Opportunities: - Given the recent expansions and up-gradation of the equipment and $100 million expansion recently took place at Lima Plant, the organization have a good chance of improving the production, if they were able to solve the Line foreman turnover issue.
Recommendations: - The program should heavily concentrate on the a) Plant operations being carried out, and provide training, b) Interaction between employee’s and hourly workers, c) Not exerting more pressure on employee’s, d) Switching the no. of shifts from two to three with each running for 8hrs, e) Reorganization should be there and as well as appreciation also need for the good work being done.
By implementing the changes mentioned, Treadway Tire will see an increase in the morale of the employees and a better relationship with the unions. Also, they can overcome the loses organization is facing.
I enjoyed reading your thorough post. The decision to close down the Greenville, SC plant in hopes of increasing overall productivity was a good strategy. However, as detailed in the case study, the stress of an over abundance of responsibilities, lack of communication, and lack of proper training; the company had the problem of high foremen turnover. The high dollar expansion of the Lima company would not succeed and provide any proof of productivity if the foremen turnover rate continued to progress. With the ideas that you suggested to change this trend, the Treadway Tire Company can improve their foremen turnover rate, as well as increase the overall efficiency of the plant.
Thanks Kayla. Yes I believe that if proper training is given for both the Line foreman and also the supervisors on how to move closely and interact with the colleagues will definitely solve the company’s problem. Supervisors should also be trained on how to educate the Line foreman and use them wisely as they will be helpful in improving productivity.