B&D: Workforce Training Supports Company Retention & Culture
The longevity of B&D’s staff is something we are extremely proud of, and staff upskilling has been a major priority for us. There is never a bad time for training and improving. We are grateful for the role MMTC has played in our company’s commitment to efficiency and workplace culture.
-- Mark Hamilton, Director of Operations
B&D Cold Headed Products (www.bdcoldheadedproducts.com), is a manufacturer of high strength, cold-formed bolts, studs, pins and other metal fasteners. Their parts are found in products all around us from the buses that drive our kids to school to the appliances in our homes to the armored vehicles that protect our nation. B&D is in Wayne, Mich. and employs around 80 people.
Challenge
B&D Cold Headed Products believes well informed and invested employees makes for a better workforce. B&D Cold Headed Products wants to ensure its staff is properly trained to handle current production demands and support continued growth, which would affect both project efficiency, competitiveness, and team morale. They also wanted to increase the competitiveness of their business.
Solution
To lean into the future, B&D Cold Headed Products reached out to Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC). With a long history of working together, B&D and MMTC created a customized plan to upskill their workforce and address their needs. Taking advantage of the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund Training Grant, B&D Cold Headed Products team members attended various training including Practical Approach to Project Management, Standard Work, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Mentoring, 5S/Visual Management, and Practical Approach to Supply Chain Management.
Additionally, B&D operators received enhanced welding mentoring that was tailored to the actual work they do daily and with their equipment. This allowed them to become better and improve time management, safety and efficiency.
Most training was held at their facility, which allowed B&D to operate without disrupting production.
Results
- Investment: $38,000
- New Jobs: 2
- Retained Jobs: 18