By: Deborah Johnson Wood
BBi Enterprises Group, Inc. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005 a stronger, leaner company. To continue their recovery and growth, 170 existing employees and 20 new hires will receive advanced manufacturing training through a $100,000 Economic Development Job Training grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
BBi produces thermal and acoustical automobile insulation, exterior trim parts, and trunk and floor systems, primarily for General Motors and Chrysler. The Holland plant is a 200,000-square-foot facility that logged annual sales of $30 million last year.
"Our productivity gains have been very impressive over the last year through applying some lean tactics," said Rick Osmun, human resources manager. "To meet the requirements of our customers, we need to become as lean as possible."
The grant will be administrated through Grand Rapids Community College, who will also provide training in:
- Lean manufacturing processes, including an overview of lean processes for every employee
- Quality assurance processes
- Maintenance skills for overhead cranes, robotics, and hydraulics
- QAD business software
Besides lean processes, Osmun says robotics is another key to the future.
"We currently use robotics to cut parts," he said. "We need to continue to become more efficient, and we're looking for opportunities to use those technologies."
BBi operates eight locations across Michigan, Ohio, and Canada, and has an employee base of 800. Twenty new hires will be added to the Holland ranks and will receive the advanced training, but Osmun is not sure when that will happen.
"Our corporate headquarters in Bloomfield Hills is doing a lot to market this facility, so we have a lot of support out there," Osmun said. "Now we need to turn it into product [contracts] that have been awarded to us."
Source: Rick Osmun, BBi Enterprises Group, Inc.
Deborah Johnson Wood is the Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be reached at [email protected].
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