Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/646479
22 AGGREGATES MANAGER / March 2016 W hat does it take to run a successful operation and have it continue to grow and prosper? The answer is already working for you: It's the employees you entrust to operate your equipment and manage your day- to-day operations. I was once asked who I thought the most important person in my busi- ness was. Naturally, I said the customer. I was wrong. The correct answer is your employees. Why? It's simple. Who takes care of your customers? Your employees do. This is true for all parts of an opera- tion, even though some employees may never contact your customers. Keeping your equipment running smoothly af- fects your reputation, financial outcome, and, yes, your customers. So answer this question: Who do you want running your equipment? Someone who cares about your success — which, in turn, translates to their suc- cess — or someone who cares nothing about it? The answer is simple, and yet, too often, steps are not taken to recognize and invest in these valued employees. We speak often about best mainte- nance practices and how to apply them to your equipment, but we should not neglect to mention how this knowledge should be incorporated into your op- eration. Employers must invest in their team members, helping them grow their knowledge and having them take part in the decisions and the outcome of the operation. Investing in education through factory education (like our PRO Train- ing program) and on-the-job train- ing creates a safer, more dedicated employee. The investment quickly pays for itself with reduced downtime and increased efficiency. Of course, invest- ment requires total commitment, one that is ongoing. Try viewing employee investment like putting gas in a car — filling it up just once is not enough to keep it going long-term. Once educated, employees are bet- ter equipped to manage responsibilities that will improve morale and minimize downtime. There are a number of pro- grams you can implement, but whatev- er you decide, always keep simplicity in mind. Something that is hard to follow usually means it won't get done. Below are the three programs I suggest implementing into every oper- ation. These can be easily managed by educated and involved employees. 1. Maintenance repair log. A main- tenance repair log can be a simple document that briefly explains the problem, the severity of the problem, whether or not parts are needed, the estimated time to repair, and a completion date. These day-to-day records can be used to schedule the repairs based on severity, and as producers know, scheduling down- time helps control maintenance costs. In most cases, problems can be corrected in their infancy, creating a PLANT MANAGEMENT by Wade Lippert Recognize that your people are your most valuable assets. Invest in them, and they will take care of your equipment and your customers. Investing in employee education helps to create a safer, more dedicated workforce.