DEPT^TMENT NEWS
TWISTING
The move to the new plant is fast
approaching. We are less than two months
away from beginning equipment relocation.
The first twisters to be transported
include 4 from 1st floor EE, 18 from 2nd
EE, and 18 from 5th MM.
Much work is necessary to prepare
machinery for use in the new plant. This
year's overhauling project is very
demanding. Rings, spindles and double
idlers are being installed on 2nd WE
twisters; rings and spindles on 4th EE
and MM; double feed rollers on 2nd EE.
In addition, separator blades will be
placed on all twisters scheduled to be
moved.
Gainsharing results for January are
1.55%. The greatest opportunity for
improvement is quality. Last month we
had a loss in that area. All doffers met
to suggest countermeasures for quality
improvements. Remember, if everyone
takes personal responsibility to do his
job following proper procedures, QUALITY
will be the result.
Your support during this transition to
the new plant is appreciated. You have
been asked to do different jobs, assume
additional tasks, change work areas and,
in some cases, work different shifts.
Temporary employees are also being used
in some areas. All of these things are
necessary at this time because we must
continue to supply our customer with the
quality product they demand and deserve.
- RICHARD HARRISON
WEAVING
I would like to say "thank you" to each
person in Weaving for picking up and
doing things that go beyond your regular
job requirements. Everyone has done an
excellent job filling in vacancies due to
the new plant transition. I know it has
not been easy but your efforts are
noticed and greatly appreciated.
Weaving has received its seventh air jet
loom and one additional Dornier loom.
When we get to the new plant there will
be twenty Draper air jet looms and
twenty-eight Dornier looms. The Sales
Department is currently working to obtain
new customers to fill the production
capacity we will have. Industrial
Weaving will be going to a seven-day
schedule in April.
The Splicing area continues to show good
results in the quality of splices being
made. Weaving splicers and Twisting
reclaimers are concentrating their
efforts together to solve problems with
broken cords.
- MIKE ROLAND
OaALITT ASSORANCE
The pressure on improved c[uality
continues to get greater. Our customers
are demanding better quality and they are
prepared to go to other suppliers to get
it. We are facing a major loss of
business from Mexico because our quality
is not as good as the quality from the
local Mexican supplier. In this case the
quality complaint is baggy fabric and
tight cords.
Tight cords can be created in all our
production areas, from twisting to
weaving to treating. Any yarn or cord
that is not in the proper guide, or is
wrapped around another cord, or is
twisted wrong, or the bobbin has a bad
build, or is a different age than the
other cords all can cause a tight cord
that our customers can not use.
Baggy fabric can come from misalignment
in the loom or in the treating unit or
from moisture getting in the edge cord.
Leaving a t^reated roll on the reroll
table too long can be a problem. Any
damage to the outer plastic wrap will
permit moisture to get to the fabric and
cause it to be baggy.
Mexico is not the only customer with
this complaint; they are just the only
customer we are close to losing because
of this complaint. If we lose Mexico
then we make less sales, and less sales
mean less profit, and less profit means
less gainshare for you. It does not
matter if you are the one that caused the
tight cord or if you are not. What
matters is that each of us do our job the
best we know how, follow the
specifications and procedures and be on
the watch for mistakes by others that we
can correct.
Quality and customer service begin and
end with you, the person who makes the
product right or makes it wrong.
- DAVE LEWIS
TREATING
We have installed laser printers in the
treating units to efficiently print more
legible roll tickets. We are now placing
these tickets in a zipper pouch that
sticks on the side of the roll. Formerly
we secured roll tickets with staples.
This new procedure eliminates the
possibility of damaging the fabric with
staples and solves the past problem of
tickets being lost in addition to
improving roll appearance.
We are experimenting with a new roll
shell that may prove a better shell at a
lower cost we call the "Super Shell".
Made of strong plastic instead of wood,
the super shell weighs less but appears
more durable.
- PHIL HUDDLESTON