Best Practices
Sharing the Power of People and Ideas

Metaldyne is committed to continuous improvement in all areas and at all levels. To ensure that continuous improvement we share and celebrate best practices throughout the company.

A best practice is a technique, method, activity, incentive or reward that has been proven locally and has application globally. It must deliver better results than the previous method. By sharing our best practices, we reduce re-invention, duplication, risks and mistakes.

“In this challenging industry, it is our responsibility to continually look for ways to improve in all that we do,” said Tom Chambers, Metaldyne president and COO. “Exchanging best practices is an important way of implementing common processes and systems globally while simultaneously striving to learn a better way through our collective experiences.”

Metaldyne’s best practices are available online to all employees. The site offers countless initiatives, including cost effective recycling programs, ergonomics, standardized processes, as well as many quality and safety improvements. Education and training are encouraged through a “Metaldyne Teaching Metaldyne” philosophy. The program offers a chance for Metaldyne employees to learn from each other and capitalize on our collective strengths.

For example, Metaldyne recently moved a production line from Edon, Ohio to Oslavany, Czech Republic, to shift production closer to the customer. Oslavany went through a very focused and aggressive study of the line layout without sacrificing the necessary functional or ergonomic requirements. Oslavany eliminated any waste of space by evaluating every aspect of the process.

The relocation was successful, meeting customer production volume requirements three weeks ahead of schedule with no negative effects on the function of the line or quality. Floorspace was reduced by 50%.