No manufacturer can succeed today without constantly seeking ways to improve its operations. And there is no better way to learn about leading edge manufacturing than to experience it firsthand. And with this in mind, one of the most respected publications in manufacturing has selected two companies in Virginia to highlight their efforts in continuous improvement.
IndustryWeek announces that ABB, Inc. and Huber Engineered Woods, both located in Halifax County, will be hosting factory tours Wednesday.
“When you attend an IndustryWeek Excellence in Action Plant Tour, you get ‘behind the scenes’ access to manufacturing facilities that are on the leading edge of continuous improvement efforts that increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments,” said Matt Leonard, Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County executive director.
The IndustryWeek Excellence in Action Series brings together plant managers, directors of operations, continuous improvement specialists and other decision-makers, who are actively seeking concrete solutions to measurably improve their plants’ operations.
Held in different locations throughout the U.S., these events feature plant tours of facilities with proven track records of operational excellence and a chance for attendees to discuss the continuous improvement initiatives that they are witnessing in action, according to Leonard.
ABB and Huber will enter into an elite group of previous Excellence in Action tours that have included the Timken Faircrest Steel Plant in Canton, Ohio, Case New Holland in Wichita, Kansas, Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Mass., E-Z-GO in August, Ga., Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Sherwin-Williams in Columbus, Ohio.
“We are honored that a publication that is as well respected as IndustryWeek recognizes the work that is being done in Halifax County by two of our outstanding corporate citizens and selected them for these tours,” said Leonard.
“The interest of IndustryWeek is a further acknowledgement of the investments that we are making in education and workforce training and development and the success of these two outstanding companies in our community is paying dividends,” said Nancy Pool, Halifax County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
During the spring, IndustryWeek hosts a large conference called Best Plants which showcases the best manufacturing plants in one location. The Excellence in Action tours stemmed from the idea of having one tour in one location all across the United States.
“The tours took off from the beginning and it seems that attendees really enjoy their time networking, and learning new information from these events that they can take back to their companies,” Leonard said.
James Gordon, the owner of Springfield Distillery, comes by his interest in whiskey naturally. “I grew up with memories of my father moonshining,” says Gordon, who opened his Halifax County distillery in August 2016. “My father is one of the first two private individuals in South Africa to get his license for distilling liquor. I get to tap into 25 years of distillery experience.”
