Email Jim at jthompson@taii.com
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I am at the IDCON Pulp & Paper Industry Reliability & Maintenance Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina this week. Paperitalo Publications has been a media partner for this conference and we have been a long-term supporter of IDCON.
So, what do they talk about at maintenance conferences? The latest tolerances for setting a pump? Alignment allowances for offset machine centerlines? Mean Time between Failures? None of the above.
Matthew Szymanski, of Green Bay Packaging, talked about attitude, commitment, communications, and resources. Other speakers had similar themes.
My own personal experience bears this out. I can go in most mills and find lockers full of alignment lasers, torque wrenches, oil sample gathering equipment and on and on. In poorly run mills, these expensive items are gathering dust.
Buying fancy equipment, building training centers, reorganizing shops and stores mean nothing if there is not an attitude that will sustain their efficient use. Communications goes right along with attitude.
Communications, in particular, is a multidimensional challenge. There has to be adequate vertical communications--the executive offices must acknowledge that proper reliability and maintenance practices are expected, while those at the shop floor must communicate what they need to do their jobs effectively. Horizontal communications are vital, too--peer to peer within the facility or within other facilities in the company.
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A good dose of encouragement liberally sprayed around let's the wrench turners know that operations and management have their backs and support them.
On the other hand, one speaker talked about processes that had become "people centric" rather than system driven. In other words, what people wanted to do had become the metric, not what a systematic plan said needed to be done. So while we praise people for doing the right thing, we make sure that everyone understands that doing the right thing means executing the well-defined systematic approach to reliability and maintenance.
As Christer Idhammar said on the opening day, "People can't be more effective than the system they work in allows them to be." So true--if your system is defective, heroic efforts cannot fix it (or fix your maintenance problems).
One unabashedly candid theme of the conference was this: there is really nothing new here (and I think that was being a bit modest on the organizers' and speakers' parts). But the real question is this: are you doing what we are talking about here back at your place of employment? In other words, we all know how to perform best maintenance practices; the issue is why are we not doing so?
These are sober thoughts to be seriously considered by today's managers.
We take safety seriously because not to do so is catastrophic. We should adopt the same attitude toward our maintenance practices.
Be safe and we will talk next week.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
* We are looking for a Production Shift Team Leader to maintain high standards, plus ensure safety policies and regulations for a company located close to Chicago's Midway Airport. If you are experienced team leader who has a four-year degree in an engineering/technical field (paper science degree preferred, and experience in recycled linerboard or corrugating medium paper mills is a plus), we are looking for someone like you! If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412. A family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company in Illinois is looking for an experienced Maintenance Technician to maintain production and quality by ensuring operation of machinery and mechanical equipment. Relocation and other perks are available to the right candidate who is committed to working third shift. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* Are you an experienced Maintenance Mechanic and would like to work for a family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company that invests in the best equipment and technology? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* A leading company in the corrugated solutions packaging business is looking for a experienced Electrician. The right candidate will possess the following skills: electrical; hydraulic; automatic drives (basic component machines 122 to 440 bolts). If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* We are a large automation company that has a line of consistency transmitters, sample valves and sheet break detectors that are marketed through a rep. network. We are seeking someone with a strong background in consistency control to facilitate start-ups, provide troubleshooting and technical advice. The individual should have experience in all major types of consistency measurement technologies (blade, rotary, microwave and optical). Knowledge of sheet break detection technology is desirable as well. Willingness to travel to paper production facilities across the US is a must. Travel & Living Expenses to be reimbursed along with an agreed upon daily per diem rate. For more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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