MACHINERY LUBRICATION- INDIA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 | Page 14

The machine modifications have also led to increased
awareness from operators.
“With the visible sight glasses, we’ve gotten a ton of
feedback when it’s low,” Warwick said. “I’d like to get
to the point where the operator could come and top
it off.”
Mohn believes one of the main factors in the increased
awareness was the company-wide communication
during the lubrication program’s transformation and
Noria’s involvement, particularly onsite. In addition to
using a town-hall format as a way to communicate the
objectives to accomplish, Mohn also went to individual
shifts and began talking to people on that level.
“We communicated why we were doing it and the
impact,” Mohn said. “We also talked about it from a
corporate standpoint. We are working with Noria to
develop an operator communications/training program
so we can help our workforce better understand why we
are doing what we’re doing, and what our expectations
are as well.”
Next year the facility will be moving to more of a lean
mentality, which should couple well with what is being
required of operators in terms of reliability.
“Operator care marries up with what my tasks are
from a lubrication standpoint,” Mohn said. “You can
look at a breather, sight glasses and all those things.
As a company, we are working toward that. As a
smaller facility, we have an advantage because things
are communicated organically. We still have a lot of
training to do, and that’s where we are heading.”
Winning the Battle Award
While the day-to-day changes at the plant became
12 | November - December 2019 |
visible to everyone at the facility, the importance – and
excitement – behind the transformation became more
palpable after receiving notification that Ingredion
Winston-Salem had won the 2017 John R. Battle
Award for excellence in the application of machinery
lubrication.
“That trophy changed things almost immediately,
adding validity to and recognizing the changes we
implemented,” Mohn said. “I’m really glad we
went after that award. It really made a difference.”
The Noria Difference
The Winston-Salem facility’s relationship with
Noria has evolved since 2009, and the team
realizes that a vital key to the plant’s success
stems from working with Noria.
“Without Noria, to get where we are now,
it would take us years,” King said. “We
implemented so much so fast, and the
continued support has helped us stay on
track. We’ve really been moving forward,
and everyone from Noria has been a
really big support. It wouldn’t have
been possible for us to get through it as
quickly or as efficiently without Noria.
We just didn’t have the bandwidth.
Even if you went to the class and tried
to apply all of that, you’re going to
miss parts. That’s why you need the
support from someone outside who
deals with that every day.”
Warwick, who has the longest
relationship with Noria, echoes
King’s sentiments.
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