________________________________________________________________________________ EaglePicher
Technologies
These investments will not only help us be more efficient but will also help facilitate the scaling up of new products.
“ As the company continues to take a more innovative approach to manufacturing, we are instilling the correct expectations and accountability into our daily practices, as well as rewards for all the exceptional things our employees are doing. For example, we have implemented a performance sharing initiative, which has never been done at EaglePicher.” As well as providing big opportunities, introducing new facilities and integrating new equipment will also present some challenges, as Jantzen outlines:“ As we expand our horizons and increase the range of products that we make, one of the biggest hurdles that I see for energetics is putting all the pieces together- from the supply chain and engineering to operations. We want to make sure that moving into the new facility is a timely and smooth process because any disruption would hurt a lot of different programs within the government.”
Jantzen then concludes with the company’ s goals for the coming years:“ For energetics in particular, the biggest thing for me is actualizing the big potential for organic growth. Last year, the energetics side of the business produced around $ 30 million. I believe over the next three to five years we will at least double this figure. To achieve this, having the right culture and the right business practices, and instilling the Lean Six Sigma principles, will be key. Having the right equipment will also be central because we operate with very tight tolerances.”
Manufacturing Today looks forward to catching up with Jantzen and the team in the future. It looks set to implement further advances and continue to be a role model as an innovator and leader in the battery manufacturing space. ■
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