International Employee Exchange Program Ensures Global Consistency
Charlotte, N.C., November 22, 2005 – Demonstrating the strength of its technology focus, global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America recently proved the unparalleled consistency of its manufacturing operations and products worldwide (see Blind Study Confirms Harper’s Digital Anilox Technology Achieves Global Quality Standards).
Now the manufacturer is determined to maintain this extraordinary level of quality, ensuring consistency for its customers worldwide.
An integral part of Harper’s plan is an employee exchange program. Starting next year, all of Harper Corporation’s manufacturing facilities will exchange one person from each department between its global locations for two-week periods.
“Maintaining our global quality consistency is a key objective for Harper Corporation and its affiliates,” says Art Ehrenberg, vice president of manufacturing operations. “The exchange of personnel is excellent insurance that we will all stay on the same page with regard to processes. Plus, it offers our team members around the world the opportunity to travel and work overseas for practical periods of time.”
This system isn’t entirely new. It’s an extension and formalization of a process in place at Harper since it began manufacturing outside of North Carolina in June 1997. With the startup of each new facility, Harper has had a senior person on site to review the plant layout, workflow and other manufacturing details. During the laser installation and testing at Harper Graphics, Harper Corporation’s licensed affiliate in Herford, Germany, last year, three people from Harper Corporation’s North Carolina facility were on site: one senior laser operator, one laser specialist and one outside laser consultant. The senior laser operator returned for two weeks this fall to review the operation's progress.
In addition, from time to time, key personnel will work at another location for an extended time. For example, Todd Luman, a Harper GraphicSolutions™ technician based at Harper Corporation’s Charlotte, N.C. headquarters location, is currently spending one year working at Harper Graphics in Germany. Luman has a well-rounded background in anilox manufacturing, including QA and laser operations. His current responsibilities include acting as lead laser technician and consulting on several facets of the Harper Graphics manufacturing operation.
For more information contact Pete Hartman, Harper Corporation of America, at 704-588-3371 or petehartman@harperimage.com.
###
