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Automated Welding Systems (AWS) is a manufacturing coripany based in Markham. The company produces welded metal blanks that are sold to auto parts manufacturers, the parts manufacturers then create car parts from the blanks. The manufacturing process at AWS is in some ways very sophisticated, Robots are used to guide a powerful laser that welds the pieces of metal together. Other parts of the process are very low tech and depend on manual labour. Low skilled workers - bring sheets of metal to the machine - put the sheets onto a conveyor belt - push a button to tell the machine to accept the sheets and to weld them - take the welded pieces off the conveyor - visually inspect the quality of the welding - stack the welded pieces and wrap them for shipping The most important things that AWS's customers demand are high quality welded blanks and delivery on time. Production deadlines are usually quite tight. Automated Welding Systems (AWS) is a manufacturing company based in Markham The company produces welded metal blanks that are sold to auto parts manufacturers, the parts manufacturers then create car parts from the blanks. The manufacturing process at AWS is in some ways very sophisticated; Robots are used to guide a powerful laser that welds the pieces of metal together. Other parts of the process are very low tech and depend on manual labour. Low skilled workers - bring sheets of metal to the machine - put the sheets onto a conveyor belt - push a button to tell the machine to accept the sheets and to weld them - take the welded pieces off the conveyor - visually inspect the quality of the welding - stack the welded pieces and wrap them for shipping The most important things that AWS's customers demand are high quality welded blanks and delivery on time. Production deadlines are usually quite tight. The most important things that AWS's customers demand are high quality weided blanks and delivery on time. Production deadlines are usually quite tight. Recently AWS management has been concerned about an increase in the number of accidents occurring during production. This has caused lost time for workers and reduced production. Management has asked an outside training company, WTB LId., to come in and do some safety training. WTB has produced a report and recommendeda two-day safety training program for all production staff. The needs analysis done by WTB includes the following observations: - Most of the injuries are cuts to the hands from handling metal edges - Other injuries result from dropping metal and thus cutting or bruising legs and feet - There have been some injuries caused by forklift operators driving too fast - There is no heaith and safety committee - No health and safety training has been done - Safety gloves wear out quickly and it is often the case that workers will have to wait 1 -2 days to get a new pair - Workers are paid between $15.00 and $18.50 per hour based strictly on seniority. A new bonus plan has been put in place that rewards workers for meeting and exceeding daily production targets. - Supervisors are all former production workers, they have not received any - Most of the injuries are cuts to the hands from handling metal edges - Other injuries result from dropping metal and thus cutting or bruising legs and feet - There have been some injuries caused by forklift operators driving too fast - There is no health and safety committee - No health and safety training has been done - Safety gloves wear out quickly and it is often the case that workers will have to wait 12 days to get a new pair - Workers are paid between $15.00 and $18.50 per hour based strictly on seniority. A new bonus plan has been put in place that rewards workers for meeting and exceeding daily production targets. - Supervisors are all former production workers, they have not received any supervisory training. Their main tasks are to en sure that materials are available when required and to troubleshoot problems WTB will charge $4000 for the training, including materials. There are 20 employees to be trained. AWS is averaging 50 lost hours every two weeks due to injuries. WTB estimates they can reduce lost hours by 30% with this training. AWS estimates that each lost hour costs the company $60 in lost wages and productivity. There have been two occasions in the last two months when delivery dates were missed due to staff being injured. You are required to make a pitch: 1. What are the problems faced at AWS? 2. What are the recommended solutions? 3. How much will this cost? 4. How will AWS be paid back? 5. How does this support the business strategy