Test Technology, a leading provider of repair and reverse logistics solutions for companies seeking to receive the best service and highest value from their supply chain, says that by employing proven as well as organic strategies and utilizing existing assets (its own workforce), the company has been able to offer better results for its clients through more affordable and productive solutions.
“We were impressed with the potential value TestTech presented during our first meeting,” said Bryon Cook, Vice President, Operations & Program Management for DriveCam. “Then that value manifested itself in the form of even greater results and service within the first 60 days of working with them. And when we toured the facility, it became abundantly clear how the company is able to so quickly and efficiently exceed the results we were promised. At that point we knew we had made the right decision in going with TestTech for our long-term reverse logistics services.”
To optimize its workforce and return for its clients, TestTech’s management team created an environment that inherently fosters results. To ensure success, it was essential for the program to be driven by an empowered employee team that would encourage other employees to adopt the new workplace culture. Taking a motivational approach TestTech’s created their Golden Broom Award (GBA) competition - TestTech’s standard of housekeeping, which is defined as “hospital operating room caliber.”
“Don’t get hung up on the actual form or the numeric values is what I shared with them,” says Linda Austin, Chief Executive Officer for TestTech. “Look at the areas through the eyes of the customer. Imagine if you were walking through the plant for the first time. What would wow you? ‘Wow’ is the most important criterion of all because the goal was, and continues to be, to make the GBA judges feel empowered by our corporate philosophy of trusting employees to do the right thing and, thus, to push decision-making all the way down to the production workers.”
Although TestTech has always prided itself on its employee retention and customer satisfaction, the “lean” program has evoked changes in workers’ spirit, as well as a change in the appearance of TestTech’s historically meticulous production floor. Materials are stacked neatly, aisles are clearly delineated, signs describing or naming areas are clearly displayed everywhere. Additional motivation is provided for the team by “Day by the Hour” boards showing hourly production goals and actual production results.
