MELROSE…Committed to Excellence Through Employee Training

Profile

Since 1939, Melrose Nameplate & Label Company has provided industry with custom graphic components such as graphic overlays, membrane switches, PC card covers, pressure sensitive labels and metal nameplates. The Hayward, California company prides itself on its versatility, exceptional quality and stellar service. Its strong growth has earned them multiple awards, including being listed as one of the top 100 fastest growing private companies in the Bay Area.

Challenge

Melrose management realized the growing demands and challenges of their printing business. The highly versatile, precision-based company supports the printing needs of hi-tech, bio-tech, and gaming industries, as well as providing custom promotional products to multiple industries. The "hunt for knowledge" was a desire to improve quality and processes beyond just "good." The management team recognized the need to upgrade worker skills and to look at opportunities to reduce waste and inefficiencies in order to improve over-all operations.

Training Solution

Melrose enlisted an internationally known trainer/consultant with printing expertise to facilitate interdepartmental training. The training program was designed to improve the capability of selected processes to ensure improved product quality, on-time delivery, and continued growth of individual staff members, as well as the company. A company-wide, eight-day program was set up to train 27 employees from various departments.

The core business at Melrose is their screen printing department. The training focused on all facets of the screen printing process, from preparing the screens, to preparing the artwork for optimum results, to at-the-press training, in terms of producing highly technical printed products. The trainer examined the workflow of all business subdivisions: the art department, the screen printing division, fabrication and finishing departments and customer service department. He advised the client on how to improve systematic functions and improve communication channels between departments. Staff members received a portion of the training at their individual stations so they could experience improved results immediately.

"Our products require so much precision, we can't be off even 5/1000th of an inch," says Melrose president, Chris Somers. "The new system has helped us eliminate wasted time and materials. We have learned an easier way to achieve better results."

With improved interdepartmental communication, Melrose staff members realize the value of their individual functions, integrated and working towards a common goal, the finished product.

Impact

" An estimated 20% savings in labor, anticipating 40-50% in the next year, through improved efficiency of processes.
" An estimated 20% reduction in materials waste as a result of improved interdepartmental communication.
" Sharp increase in production, anticipating as much as 50%.
" Establishment of a more empowered, more competent, more interconnected team.
" Ability to build and maintain 100% customer satisfaction by delivering top quality products on time by a high performance team.

Testimonial: "Melrose is very satisfied with the results of this training project. We can definitely see improvement company-wide. We now are a more unified, more productive team that has learned how to produce better results that are easier to achieve."      -Chris Somers, President, Melrose Nameplate & Label Co.