It’s been a journey of discovery for Paint Shop Team Improvement Circle ‘Gen 2-5’ who have spent the last few months developing a tool to fix the problem of paint aid clips falling off during paint processes.
TIC team Gen 2-5 – comprised of Fiona Riley, Julie Allitt, Nigel Burke, Jim McKinlay and Eddie Neiland – are tired of finding Gen 2A clips in places they shouldn’t be. Jim once counted that in his one shift, 53 had fallen off bodies coming through Paint. Gen 2A clips are used to keep doors slightly open during paint, to ensure our world-class paint finishes don’t get damaged.
The clips are hammered into place by hand in the Body Shop. Fiona, Julie, Nigel, Jim and Eddie spent time understanding how the clips were located, and it didn’t take long to see how they could make an improvement. It would take about five or six strikes of a standard hammer to put a clip in place. This means that sometimes the clips dislodge and fall off. The mission was to find a better way to locate these clips.
After lots of brainstorming and thinking outside the box, the team hit on their eureka moment. Why not design a new tool which can be used with the hammer to ensure quality when locating the clips, which is safe for the user. Engaging their CME team this is exactly what they’ve done.
The TIC initiative aims to bring about significant change in the production process which projects like this can achieve. The tool designed by the team makes production safer and more efficient, reduces waste and lowers the potential for vehicle damage. Fiona Reily explained, “I think TIC is absolutely amazing. It’s now my third year but I keep coming back for more. Each time we love it and get someone else involved. If we’re not careful we’ll end up having the whole Paint Shop as one team.”
Working together has made Gen 2-5 very close. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the experience for them has been meeting new people and forming strong relationships with them. The team find it hard to get to know people working in different areas as their jobs mean they are always isolated in one place. Their project brought them into contact with workers from all over the plant.
Nigel Burke commented, “we feel a really strong sense of community as everyone has come together to share ideas and knowledge”. Thanks to TIC, people have become part of one big family.
TIC also afforded Gen 2-5 members a great opportunity for personal development – “to grow as individuals”, in their words. Certain people learnt how to collaborate and work productively within a group, whilst others were able to adopt leadership roles for the first time. Gen 2-5 is grateful to TIC for giving them a voice and a platform to share their ideas.
Gen 2-5 were one of 60 other teams presenting their amazing improvement ideas at this year’s Solihull TIC Convention. The buzz at the convention was infectious and we’ve tried our best to bottle the atmosphere up and bring it back to Solihull to share with those who didn’t take part this year. If you've been inspired to take part, email IPSSOL@jaguarlandrover.com with any questions you might have.
