Continuous Measurable Improvement Corner by J. Perlow Q.A.S. In Japan, as with US Japanese managed manufacturing businesses, Continuous Improvement pretty much begins and ends with the Experience, Awareness, Education and Skill Levels of the people in their employ. They walk the talk of investing into the skill levels of their employees and have enjoyed a pretty good return on their investment. The element which addresses this same concept is found in 6.2.2 of all the International, Automotive, Medical, and Aerospace Standard requirements. So, why is it, small American owned and managed manufacturing businesses see investing into their employees skill level development as paving the way to having to increase their wages or lose them to a competitor? It is a sad yet self fulfilling prophecy of a business plan destined for failure. Organizations like the ATMA (Arizona Tooling and Machining Association ) have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort to help attract, train and develop the future workforce so desperately needed to maintain the viability for this industry cluster. I can tell you from personal experience, if you are one who worries about a higher wage for a better informed and better performing employee, you are missing the point of 6.2.2. I don’t know about you but if an employee I was paying $10.00 per hour to operate my machines, learns how to set them up and now wants $15.00 per hour, I would not hesitate evaluation and consideration of the added value he or she now is capable of bringing to the business. You know your employees habits, work ethics, and that he or she is gaining knowledge of your product line and your company’s way of doing things every day they are there. Teaching an employee to learn and grow should never be viewed as a poor investment, out of fear of having to give them a pay increase or lose them to a competitor. If you are doing your job and truly focused on your very own continuous Improvement program, you have to know it won’t happen leaving everyone in your employee on their own to grow via OJT alone. Remember, your business needs good people to prosper. When you hire, it is a crap shoot which usually comes with some sort of baggage. However when you take time to develop your own, the pay off is far more valuable than the expense of their development.
Boston Scientific Acquires Cameron Health Boston Scientific said it has completed its acquisition of Cameron Health, a San Clemente, Calif.-based device manufacturer that has developed a new implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In April, the Food and Drug Administration’s circulatory system devices panel recommended approval of Cameron Health’s S-ICD system.Boston Scientific will “pay $150 million to acquire Cameron Health and another $150 million if the device receives FDA approval.” A2Z METALWORKER
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44 • July/Aug 2012