[meford4u]

ZTWsquared,Oct 1 2006, 10:57 AM Wrote:

meford4u,Oct 1 2006, 08:22 AM Wrote:Ask me again around Christmas when we are in full production mode if they are being picky.  In fact, they are being downright anal about a car they are just going to crash.
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Were you there for the switchover to Windstar or the new F-Series? How does what you're doing with Edge compare to those launches (or any other you might have been part of)?

What you've written sounds kind of positive -- are you at least optimistic about launch quality - what kind of statements / directives is plant management giving about their intentions to ensure a flawless launch?

BTW - not being pushy with this ... but it's not often we get an inside look at the kind of change your plant is going through ... and I don't think anyone can overstate the importance of this launch to the future of Ford.

Thanks for the insight.
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I have been a t Ford 13 years now. So I was there for the launch of the Windstar. I also saw several model launches of the F150, where the truck went to 3 doors (97-98) and then 4 doors.

What I see now is the importance they are paying to every detail. They have eliminated all the repairmen in the plant. You no longer have a backup. The operator has the ability to stop in station without the retribution of management hitting them over the head with a 2X4. The operator, who knows the job, knows it best and will complete all work.
In paint, they are being incredibly meticulous about the quality and the coverage of the paint. If we miss the slightest amount, it comes back. We normally get escorted daily over to spillout/inspection to see our work that we did earlier in the day and shown what needs improving. They never did this on any vehicle before.
The exciting news I got today is they have moved (maybe fired) the two boneheads at the top of our paint department for the mismanagement and stupid decisions they made. Finally. Hopefully a step in the right direction.
The biggest problem we have in my area is the lack of funding. We are barely holding together with the old paint plant and little to no maintenance is being done due to the NO OVERTIME practice in place. It's hard to comprehend for some. If the line is running the entire shift, when are there times to clean and fix equipment? It was, in the past, done on the weekend. But with no overtime, it isn't getting done.
I'll let Sparky add his two cents.