Brodart Strives for Continual Improvement through Customized Training

For the past sixty years libraries around the world have looked to Brodart Company, a partner in creating innovative library solutions, for everything from books to furniture to electronic ordering systems. Brodart strives to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction and continues to add new products to better serve their customers. The company knew that in order to stay ahead of the competition, they would need to provide training to their staff and management teams.

Brodart's Furniture Division, employing over 150 people, specializes in manufacturing fine wood and metal library and institutional furniture in a 140,000 square foot facility in McElhattan, PA. Over the past decade, Brodart's Furniture Division has worked with the IMC to train its manufacturing workforce and supervisors to improve communication among employees and enhance productivity.

IMC, Brodart's regional Industrial Resource Center, provides Performance Improvement services and training to manufacturers.  Mike Keiser, Director of Manufacturing for Brodart, contacted Sharon Hoffmann, IMC's Program Manager for Employee Performance Management and Quality Services to explore opportunities for employee training.

Brodart had a history of promoting supervisory staff from within; however, they never took the time to develop or provide a formal supervisory training program for their employees.  As a result, during high production months, management, supervision and production workers became easily frustrated and confused.  Internal quality and production problems increased.  Brodart began to understand that the company needed to develop systems that would increase their supervisors' skills and confidence, while providing internal support that encouraged and assisted supervisors with their responsibilities.

Using a systems approach, IMC staff provided Brodart with a supervisor performance analysis.  Based on input from focus groups ­ which included supervisors, managers, production workers and support employees ­ and an analysis of company documents, processes and performance indicators, IMC then developed a customized training program for Brodart's 28 supervisors and group leaders.

Training focused on Brodart's business operations, processes and performance goals.  Content of the customized training sessions included ways to supervise people, teamwork improvements to get the job done and ways to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve quality through procedures and systems.

Keiser stated that he saw dramatic increases in production in areas where supervisors implemented some of the ideas discussed in the training sessions. Brodart supervision has developed a better understanding of company policies and procedures and has been instrumental in the development, writing and implementation of shop floor policy. Supervisors also identified training areas for new and incumbent workers.

Customized training has helped supervision to develop a better understanding of their role and responsibility in working with purchasing, engineering, production planning and accounting.  They have developed skills that have led to better organization of their departments and in reporting, providing feedback, monitoring performance and in setting goals. 

A noticeable increase in company-wide teamwork, motivation, communication and problem solving has led to a 16% increase in overall throughput during peak production months.

High impact led Brodart to continue their workforce training efforts.  Brodart managers decided to develop and conduct on-going roundtable discussions, facilitated by IMC staff, to continue to apply the lessons learned from their training and to discuss new ideas.  These discussions included introductions to lean concepts and supervisors' roles.  Individual coaching sessions were held with supervisors and action plans were developed for each department.

This holistic approach to workforce training has saved Brodart tremendous time savings for employees. The success of their company relies on their customer service. Through each person's better understanding of their role in the company, productivity, communication and quality continue to increase and improve.