Nishikawa Standard Co. (NISCO), a 50–50 joint venture between Cooper Standard Automotive in the U.S. and Nishikawa Rubber Co. in Japan, supplies dynamic sealing systems for foreign and domestic automotive customers. Based in Novi, Mich., NISCO has more than 1,000 employees at its Indiana facilities in Topeka and Bremen. Facing tough economic conditions in 2008–09, NISCO’s leadership realized a formal training program was key to maintaining quality and safety standards and reducing turnover.
Through the Purdue MEP Training Within Industry (TWI) program, NISCO was able to develop a more hands-on, new-hire orientation process. The positive results were clear as NISCO’s customer volumes increased during the second half of 2009 and the first quarter 2010, which led to the addition of 156 employees at Topeka and 178 employees at Bremen:
- Overall training time for new hires was reduced by 67 percent.
- Turnover rates improved by 52 percent.
"Our associates are the greatest assets to our business, and it’s their knowledge and skill that will take us to the next level. By educating our workforce, becoming more involved in the training process, and encouraging follow-up and collaboration between departments, we’re ensuring we will meet NISCO’s current and future business needs."
- Tony Baker, Topeka Plant Manager, NISCO
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