I focus on manufacturing issues because I have been employed in the field my entire adult life. I don't dwell on very many other issues besides the occasional rant. In my humble opinion, if you can not make the things you and your neighbors need, you will be poorer in the long term. I think history has taught us that lesson by now.
For those that have seen my posts, I have been installing a new line of machines in my plant for the past month or so. Yesterday I hit the green button and made parts for the first time. The installation included a variety of brand-new, some-what new, and some cobbled together old stuff that is well beyond retirement age.
Interestingly enough, the old cobbled stuff worked fine. The new stuff, not so much. This is mostly true during every start-up though. Here is why I posted though....
Read on..............
By installing and successfully starting this line, I require a new machine operator. With four similar lines now running, I need 2 operators to adequatley monitor operations, quality, and any runnability issues that arise. 1 person can run 3 lines, but not 4.
I fight for every bit of new business we can handle in my plant. This is the 5th machine I have installed in 5-1/2 years. This totals 19 full time positions in my plant. If you add packers for special jobs, maybe 22 at various times.
For those that will ask what I made from adding these jobs? I made my salary, actually, I gave 5% back for the last 6 month's of 2011. That was to make the plant able to make our financial goals to the holding company that now owns us. My raise this year just happened to be a whopping 5%. ("I am Elmer J Fudd, Millionaire, I own a mansion und a yacht.")
One more Western New Yorker has a shot at steady employment through mine, and many other's efforts. Lord knows this region needs much more of the same. I go to bed tonight feeling that we did a good thing, and I'll keep fighting for more of the same.
( In the interest of SOPA, and SIPA, My quote is from the Bugs Bunny cartoons, owned and registered to Warner Brothers, Voice by Mel Blanc (RIP). ( I have signed the petitions)
Be Well
Millrat