Given that outdated manufacturing equipment was a major barrier to cost improvement and new product launch capability. A commitment was made to a $1 Billion capital investment in new, highly automated equipment. The unintended results were reduced production, wasted resources and significant skill deficits. Plant & Project management had significantly underestimated the need to prepare employees.

Worked with Plant & Project Managers to define value-added services to secure from capital equipment vendors, to include in contracts for implementing new equipment. Led negotiations with major vendors to implement detailed specifications for addressing the people side of new capital introductions. Worked with plants to plan changes in organization structure, work processes, information requirements, skills, etc.

• Several million dollars worth of incremental training products and services secured from capital equipment vendors.
• Reduced downtime and new equipment trials.
• Improved timeliness and quality of up-front training.
• Enhanced plants' ability to meet new equipment start-up timelines.