THE HUMAN EQUATION: TRANSFORMATION NATION

Michael Dougherty, president of D&S Manufacturing (Black River Falls, WI), recently initiated several corporate-wide strategies to improve the quality of the company's work environment. "By eliminating the roadblocks that prevent people from enjoying their jobs," explains Dougherty, "we are creating a unique atmosphere where our employees are more strongly motivated and take greater satisfaction in their work every day."

For more than 40 years, ISO 9001:2000-certified D&S Manufacturing has served as a custom manufacturer of exceptional quality large scale components, assemblies and complete weldments for a broad cross section of well-respected corporations that include Caterpillar, Oshkosh Corporation, The Trane Company, CNH and Parkson.

The company's extensive capabilities include technologically superior machining, laser, high definition plasma and oxy-fuel cutting, as well as manual and robotic welding. These resources are complemented by diverse value-added services ranging from wet painting and shot blasting to assembly and testing.

When seeking improvement opportunities, company management's guiding premise is the recognition that the individuals responsible for completing a task are the ones that are the best informed to offer effective, meaningful solutions. To that end, D&S solicits input through annual employee surveys that mirror the Great Places to Work® model, which advocates for credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie in the workplace.

The company also regularly forms focus groups to evaluate and make decisions for items ranging from capital equipment expenditures to employee retirement plans. Corporate-wide quarterly meetings, with an employee question and answer period, provide an effective vehicle for communicating change.

As a result of recent input, D&S has transformed the atmosphere of its production facility through better lighting, the addition of windows and strategies that control the output of smoke, dust and dirt. Production aisles were cleared to promote efficiency and tools are now color coded and displayed on shadow boards for fast and easy employee accessibility.

Future plans call for the connection of all outbuildings to improve workflow and allow workers to avoid contact with extreme weather conditions.

"While employees are ultimately accountable for choosing their attitudes toward work, D&S management is responsible for appropriately rewarding employees for their efforts," Dougherty stated. The company pays for performance by compensating employees who achieve proficiency in production skills, even if those talents are not required in day-to-day job activities and also hosts corporate-wide luncheons to celebrate the achievement of significant goals.

A dedicated and highly skilled workforce lives a commitment to superior project management, exceptional quality, accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement, which empowers the company to live its slogan, D&S ?. Solid?.

For more information, contact John Barkley, the sales engineering manager for D&S Manufacturing, P. O. Box 279, Black River Falls, WI, 54615, 715-284-5376, ext. 307, Fax: 715-284-4084, www.dsmfg.com.