Ohio Plant Seeks Savings With Shot-Clock
Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:37 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Decades ago, the NBA instituted the shot clock to pick up the pace of the game.
Worthington Industries wants to see whether what works in basketball can also work in manufacturing.
The Columbus-based steel processor has installed shot-clocklike devices at its factory work stations.
Teams of workers can see exactly how long they should take to do specific tasks -- and how actual performance stacks up.
This is one of the most visible aspects of Worthington's "transformation plan," an attempt to become more efficient as it emerges from a historic downturn.
The company's transformation included becoming leaner. It now employs 6,400 worldwide, 20 percent fewer than a year ago.
Worthington Industries wants to see whether what works in basketball can also work in manufacturing.
The Columbus-based steel processor has installed shot-clocklike devices at its factory work stations.
Teams of workers can see exactly how long they should take to do specific tasks -- and how actual performance stacks up.
This is one of the most visible aspects of Worthington's "transformation plan," an attempt to become more efficient as it emerges from a historic downturn.
The company's transformation included becoming leaner. It now employs 6,400 worldwide, 20 percent fewer than a year ago.
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