Building trust requires an investment and All-Plastics LLC is investing in its people as well as equipment and processes.
Only a few years ago, about 80 percent of its workforce was temporary, but that has changed under the leadership of President Thomas Houdeshell. Within the last two years, Addison, Texas-based All-Plastics has evolved to a more skilled, team-based outfit with only about 8 percent of its workers on temporary status.
“We've drastically reduced our temporary workers and we've been hiring full time [workers] to be part of the team and part of our culture,” said Houdeshell, during a telephone interview.
He said that the change improved communications and builds more of a team atmosphere.
“If you have pride in what you do, there are tremendous benefits,” he said.
Houdeshell said that they instituted various efforts to enable their employees, including an employee suggestion plan, a training program, wellness plans and birthday celebrations.
All-Plastics has invested over $1 million in the past 15 months to improve efficiencies and build a culture of continuous improvement. It has also invested in hardware, software and training.
“We're based on lean principles. When you think about scientific molding manufacturing, it means using lean manufacturing technology and creating a robust culture in All-Plastics,” said Houdeshell, earlier in the year.
He said that the company has added RJG's eDarts, an IQMS system for its enterprise resource planning software; received ISO certification and started its own lean manufacturing program calling it “6S for Success,” stressing the safety aspect.
All-Plastics has also implemented more automation and robotics to its system. Overall, it has 58 employees working in a 30,000-square-foot facility. It recently added a 55-ton Toyo press to its ranks, boosting the number of injection molding machines to 21. They range from 55 to 500 tons.
The company produces parts for a variety of industries, including medical, industrial, consumer goods and packaging. It complements its processing with added services such as assembly. All-Plastics has a full service quality lab and is also able to do its own in-house mold making. Other locations include Kerrville and Houston.