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Episode 19: Building a Culture with Peter Claus (part 2)
30 Plays5 months ago
Today we have Peter back on the podcast to discuss a little bit about the culture we are trying to foster. Peter is a tremendous example of what you can become at HFW, and we are very excited about the trajectory of the business with the great team we have.
Listen in to hear more about what kind of person is a good fit at HFW, our lean and 5S initiatives, some of the improvements Peter is working on and what to expect from Peter and our business moving forward.
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Transcript
Introduction to Episode 19 with Peter Claus
00:00:00
jwatson99
a um
00:00:08
jwatson99
All right. And welcome back to the HFW shop talk podcast episode 19. For some reason, I always screw up the episode number. I don't know why you'd think it's easy, but I, I find a way to screw it up.
Peter Claus as Plant Manager and Cultural Development
00:00:21
jwatson99
Episode 19. This is part two with Peter Claus. So Peter and in part one, we went through, I guess kind of your life story and how you've gotten to where you are. Um, and then today we wanted to focus a little bit more on, I guess the culture and, and, um, what you're building as our plant manager.
00:00:38
jwatson99
Yeah, sounds good. Good to be back. So I wanna get into, well, I guess to back up, one of the goals of the podcast was to use it as a platform for us to communicate and talk about some of the things we're thinking about as a business. And obviously you've been a big piece of that. um So, and we've you know we've talked before on the podcast about what we're doing with traction and some of that stuff.
Past and Present Culture at HFW Industries
00:01:02
jwatson99
um Can you go into some detail about the workplace and the culture that you're trying to foster as our plant manager? Oh, definitely. you know you know It's funny. It takes me, I don't realize how old I'm getting. right I've been here quite a while. Now we have a lot of young blood on the floor. It's great, right? But looking at these young guys, and you know it's funny, a little number of years ago, somebody asked me about, you know what's the culture like? and you know
00:01:35
jwatson99
hf w and this' a long time ago I had to think about it for a minute, you know, and if you go understand where I came from, and a lot of like, you know, Fred Niedemar is a good example, you know, we grew up in a much different environment, you know, I would just say machine shops were back then.
00:01:50
jwatson99
very rough, you know, just that's the way it was, you know, people were just a different type of attitude. I mean, they were good workers, but it was just a different environment. And it is refreshing nowadays, you know, we do we want to develop a good culture here at HFW industries, we want to, it's to so people enjoy working here, you know, it's, you know, develop a good environment. And so yeah, you know, I think one thing I've always you know as a manager or supervisor that I was doing before was you know always communicating with the guys you know you know talking to them uh you know addressing their issues and uh you know showing you know and respecting them and always uh giving them praise where it's due and so you know hopefully they enjoy working here so well we always talk about
00:02:34
jwatson99
ah We need a very skilled workforce for the kind of work we do, you know, we're not a commodity job shop.
Expectations and Accountability in the Workplace
00:02:40
jwatson99
That's just, you know, you press the button and go, we need really skilled people. And I think one thing that I know you and I have talked about is making sure that um we are a ah home for the, you know, for for those top level guys, or you we want to, you know, be a good home for them. And I think people, you know, we were just talking about sports as a minute ago, and the top athletes you know get the best treatment. I think that's the way we want to look at our shop too, right? Is is ah be the you know the absolute best because we that's what we're looking for in terms of talent and we want to make sure we treat those people extremely well too. but definitely Definitely. So obviously we we've talked a lot about people and our people are a big part about what we do. um Can you get into a little bit, you know, what do you expect from someone in the shop and then what should they what should they expect from you um in your role as well?
00:03:31
jwatson99
you know definitely i want to I think the number one thing would be you know the so accountability, or I guess is a way to say it. or just when every Everybody should take a part in improving ah everything in the in the workplace. you know there're ah what they're doing, you know the quality of their work, ah working with others. ah you know It's funny, we put a lot of emphasis on supervision and I think there's a, I don't know if it's a...
00:04:04
jwatson99
different way of looking at it, not the right way, but, you know, everybody has to be, play a part in the way the company is run, you know? And, you know, we always talk about like putting in some kind of work instruction and this, that, you know, a process, you know, you have to write out a process for those people. I would a daily, it would be great to have everybody just capable of doing what they need to do. You know, basically be, um You know, obviously do a little more than what is just instructed, I guess would be a way to say
Balancing Standards and Creativity
00:04:33
jwatson99
it. You know, the guy that's doing a process and after that, if he's, you know, got some downtime, you know, he should take it upon himself, you know, to whatever, do some preventative maintenance, um sorting, organizing and stuff like that. And, you know, that's what we're trying to do.
00:04:49
jwatson99
I guess my point is I don't think we need a work instruction for everything. I think you know if we develop good people and show them what the techniques or practices, I guess, or just work habits that they need you know to be successful. so Yeah, I know we've talked a lot about what we're talking about the standards and and um procedures I think one thing that we've talked about is at least having like a general thing and then and which is developed in part with each person and then also, um you know,
00:05:20
jwatson99
having there be some creativity in there too. like We're you know not spelling out each and every ah step. um you know Maybe for a newer guy, that would be helpful. But as you get you know as you grow, like the whole point is we want everyone involved and engaged. To to your point, Peter, you know not just sitting there ah watching the machine work, but thinking about ways to get better and ways we could do the job better. and That's where the creativity part of it comes in.
00:05:43
jwatson99
Um, so I guess what kind of person is a good fit at HFW then? Like what, what, what are some of the traits you look for in a person that you're like, all right, that, that person's it going to be a good fit here. Um, if they were to come, come to HFW. Uh, you know, I think number one would be when, and I see it in where somebody is like.
00:06:06
jwatson99
as soon as they're done with something or you know they immediately come to me and say, hey, I just finished that product process. What's the next thing for me to do? you know And you know some people default to, they'll finish something and they just wait there you know yeah patiently. yeah so um And somebody who, that's what I mean, just somebody who can look ahead and even as so much as, you know, if they're like I said, they're not doing anything and they just, you know, just for the sake of staying busy, they're going to find something to do, you know, whether it be sweeping even or just wipe it down with machines or whatever. so
00:06:43
jwatson99
I think it's helpful for you to communicate that too because I know, um and I've gotten a little bit better as I've gotten older about being willing to ask, but sometimes I you know i think it's very easy. You don't know, like you don't, should I just wait for the my boss or should I um go seek him out? Especially someone like you who is super busy. So I think it's it's good to hear, you know, you're like, no, come find me and we'll get you on something and keep you busy. um This kind of goes into,
00:07:10
jwatson99
ah You've spoken a lot about 5S and continuous improvement. Can you just talk what that looks like on a day-to-day basis or someone, you know say, who's a machinist or a thermal
Implementing 5S and Organizational Improvements
00:07:22
jwatson99
spray technician? like What does 5S mean day-to-day on the shop floor? It's funny. that is um If you look at what that all stands for, a lot some people don't know and and some people have. or But if you do, we're to look into it and find out what that 5S stands for and everything. it's kind of what you know, general practice your mom does at home. right You know what I mean? When you think about it, you know, moms are generally the ones that are sorting, organizing, keeping the house in order, right? I pull it up, I pull it up. We got sort, set, in order, shine, standardized, and sustained. Yes, right.
00:07:59
jwatson99
and But it's funny, it it seems like ah we can make some amazing stuff. you know like you know Some of these chefs that are going out the door are just works of art. i just hang yeah There's a product down there on the floor right now, which looks amazing. you know But it's funny, the simplest thing, we think about housekeeping, we call it. you know seems to be very difficult. It's almost like an unattainable thing at some time. And that's ah one thing, you know, we talk about culture, but and then the the other thing is really developing these habits, you know, and I guess it's part that's where our responsibility is to do the proper training.
00:08:34
jwatson99
And it's something I, that's one thing I really want to focus on. You know, we do a lot of talk about it. You know, we have these little talks and, uh, you know, it, that needs to be, and that's where I was talking about that person that just on their own goes about and gets things done. Cause I mean, you could talk to your blue face, but if that person doesn't develop the habits, you know, it's never going to sustain, which is an F5S, you know, so yeah, it's really something that, you know, and.
00:09:01
jwatson99
We are working on stuff, you know, you know Chris Kupel is in here is doing some great work. and And it's funny though, you know, we're just scratching the surface. Yeah. Well, I think, with you know, you touched on a lot out there, but with, you know, the training, ah the organization,
00:09:18
jwatson99
These are things that we know we as a business want to get better at. um And again, like you said, we're we're just starting. And so that's where we're you know we're really interested, especially if you've been here for a couple of years. um We really want to get people's input. I mean, I'm always amazed that ah the guys who have been here for 5, 10, 15, 20 years, some of their insights and they're like, well, if you try this, um you know, you might have a better result. And and not not just on on a job, but you know, on training young guys or on some of the organization. I know um we've got the the new board down there with that Rich, I think had suggested.
00:09:54
jwatson99
And he's saying, just a world of difference. You can see everything right there. It's visual. For the jaws we're talking about. Yeah, the jaws, yeah. and And something like that, he's like, yeah, that had been a problem for years. And so to finally start addressing that, some of that is is great to see. um Quickly, I don't want to dwell on it too much. What kind of traits or behaviors are, um as the plant manager, are you looking to keep out of HFW?
Fostering Growth and Skill Development
00:10:17
jwatson99
You're like, maybe you've seen it elsewhere, or hear about it. You're like, we don't we kind of want to keep that away from our shop.
00:10:24
jwatson99
Yeah, the classic statement, it's not my job. I love that one. I, you know, literally tell somebody, well, that's not my job. I'm like, well, maybe it is today. you know and And then that's that kind of, that I guess that would be perfect. Because one thing I guess a unique part about this company is, and I've worked at other companies, I've worked at union shops, right? So it is a company where you can do anything you want, really. I mean, you can learn anything you want. If you want to learn a certain process, granted, yes, it's sometimes it's not as quick as you think, or it might not happen. yeah But I mean, and I told that to remember, I think Dennis when he first started here, you know, when he had some downtime, I say, Hey, man, walk around the shop, you know, go check out, look at what we're doing over here. And so yeah, it's something that, you know, you can really get involved with ah whatever you want. So
00:11:15
jwatson99
That's one of the things I love about HFW the most is, I mean, and I have to be careful because I will go the opposite extreme. I try to have my hands and everything. Cause I'm just curious, but, and so I'm trying to focus, but I think, and that's what I try to preach the young guys. I mean, the potential you have here um and what you can do here.
00:11:34
jwatson99
um is only constrained by what you want to do and in your ambition and um you can really push to, i mean and you're I mean, you're a great example of that. You've really been around ah all all different areas of the shop and just started as a machinist. learned You learned the CNC then took over the CNC department and you're now you're here. ye and And you're one of many examples. I mean, most i was you know it's it's crazy. Most of our senior people have have been in a similar position. so Okay. Um, just a couple quick things and then we'll, we'll wrap up. Peter, as we look to grow and improve, obviously some things will change and some things will stay the same. What should people expect? Um, or what changes do they expect if anything over the next you know year or two and and what, what will stay the same?
Streamlining Processes and Continuous Improvement
00:12:22
jwatson99
um I think definitely a really launching this program of streamlining, you know cleaning the 5S, what we're talking about. It's something that is ah talked about. And you know get just a real quick about that, it's nothing new. And I said this before, I think, in the original podcast. well you know Henry Ford kind of started that too, right? The whole assembly line, that's basically ah streamlining or organizing. and and ah And it should be part of just your essential process work. And I mean, people, more for the most part, will figure something out, how to do it the quickest way, the most efficient way. We're a job shop, so I think that's the one difficulty. but
00:13:02
jwatson99
You know, definitely just, uh, you know, really, you know, like we've been doing this traction thing. Uh, and you know, what comments would say is we've been at it for a while, you know, like, you know, we're trying to see what have we really made progress with. him So that that's it, you know, really attacking the the issues that we see. Uh, and it's kind of funny. That's what I was talking about. Like, okay. We'll talk about the best machine, the newest, most advanced technology, right? I'm talking, we're talking about simple process here. Yeah. Yeah. Which is, you know, we're trying to get that it would be.
00:13:32
jwatson99
And that would be, you know, when remember when Chris was talking about a gentleman looking for a tool for a particular amount of time. You could see, you could buy a really expensive machine, but if you could have everybody do things more efficiently, you're going to see some big gains right in there, just in productivity. It's so funny. I was listening to a lean podcast because I'm a nerd and the guy was talking about, he's like, you can get, you can automate anything, but if you automate If you automate a process that's not optimized, you're going to automate your waste and that's not really solving anything. So that's kind of what we're, you know, you a machine does a machine and automation doesn't fix everything. You know, I can have the best tool in the world, but if I can't find it, I'm screwed.
00:14:11
jwatson99
yeah we've had that And that, I mean, Chris has been a tremendous, I guess, steward of it yeah and and really pushing that. And I think, and everyone's, everyone's been receptive to it because you see the results after for sure and how much it helps. And, um, you know,
00:14:26
jwatson99
when When we bring a machinist in here, ah were you know a guy doesn't come here to walk around and look for tools. They want to you know be making chips. So it it it helps them. And I think everyone has been receptive to it. So ah we appreciate that. and ah And to your other point, um we are just
Encouraging Collaboration and Employee Input
00:14:44
jwatson99
starting. i think So I think so far, a lot of it's been talk, which is good, because I think we're at least talking about it, acknowledging it. And now we're kind of taking the second step, which is you actually going on and executing on some of that.
00:14:54
jwatson99
You know, and it's, you know, like I said, you know, I've been a long time and we've had, you know, when I was in CNC department, you know, we got to a point like that where we had a pretty good. ah regular input ah product coming in, you know what I mean? So we got streamlined like that. We got, you know, and that, but the work has changed so dramatically. And, uh, and we have a lot of new people, yeah so and and you know, kind of funny things just kind of go by and all the pieces in some respect, you know, and you got people move around different areas, you know, we haven't had any consistency. Yeah. So, you know, that's part of the battle too. Well, reinventing some of the stuff that we've already done, but also I think it's a fresh opportunity to train people on the way we want to do things. And in,
00:15:34
jwatson99
not just like it may have it be a collaborative process. It's not, this isn't meant, we're not pushing this down people's throats. We really want everyone's input um because that will and in the end make everything and make the processes and make the way we do things a lot better. Definitely. All right. Well, this has been a good discussion. Peter, as we, as we wrap up, is there anything else you want to communicate or discuss?
00:15:58
jwatson99
Oh, no, I think I'm good. Thank you. Okay. All right. So hopefully this has been helpful in understanding a little bit about what we're trying to, uh, I guess some of the things we're trying to push to the shop. Um, this is a continuing process is something that's going to take us a while. And and we ask for rever everyone's patience. And also as we've talked about your participation as well, um, because we can only get better, um, as a team and and everyone's input and and involvement in that. Will I make it better?
00:16:25
jwatson99
So with that, we will see you on the next one and appreciate you listening. All right. Thank you.
00:16:33
jwatson99
are