Engineering Department Implementing New Software

Engineering is beginning to implement SolidWorks software for designing truck bodies. The new package creates a 3-D solid model of parts and/or assemblies, then derives manufacturing drawings directly from that model, eliminating "translation" errors common to the AutoCAD software we currently use. We have hired Parag Pathak, an engineer with SolidWorks experience, to lead us in this project. The new software will be implemented in stages over the next several months, generally one product group at a time. We plan to be fully converted next Spring.

Paint Process Simulation

On July 18th and 19th, representatives from Metokote Corporation, Mason Walt, Kevin Backus and Bob Wacker, visited Omaha Standard to participate in a paint process simulation to help understand how product will flow through the plant. The emphasis was from the end of the weld assembly lines, through the new paint system and out through the post paint assembly processes. The simulation exercise represented production volumes forecasted for a volume projected two years into the future (2008). Using these volumes and a preliminary layout, the team was able to see where the bottlenecks were. Metokote learned about capacities and will make some adjustments. Omaha Standard learned about the importance of cycle times meeting customer demand rates (takt times). There were many other action items that each company will follow up on. It was a great exercise to see the impact now before we are in production.

The Metokote team also had a chance to visit the new plant site to see the progress made to this point. They will start installing their equipment in the near future.

There were several people involved in the simulation from Omaha Standard as well: Randy Swalve, Pete Menke, Stan Campbell, Chris Knecht, Chris Langhorst, Eric Kluver, Jim Moser, Max Smelser, Jeff Tilley, Kevin Larkowski and Kevin Kaufman. Thank you to all who made this simulation a big success. This simulation will be played out again for supervisors and others.

Omaha Standard Walks to Cure Diabetes

We are proud that Omaha Standard will be participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. The exciting, family-oriented event will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2005 at Elmwood Park in Omaha, NE.

Omaha Standard is committed to having a large team of no less than 40 Walkers raising at least $4000.00 collectively. To accomplish this goal, We are asking each of you to join our Walk to Cure Diabetes team. Approximately 17 million Americans suffer from diabetes, including hundreds of thousands of children affected with this lifelong disease. With your support, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will continue its mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Joining our winning team is easy! The first step is to sign up with one of the two Team Captains, Liz Moser and Amy Lund. The second step is to simply ask your family, friends, and neighbors to sponsor you by making a contribution to JDRF, or to walk with you on the Omaha Standard team. The third step is to join us as we walk to cure diabetes! I know each of you will do your part to support both Omaha Standard and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in this worthwhile community event. Contact an Omaha Standard Team Captain today.

Liz Moser elizabethm@omahstd.com or ext. 307
Amy Lund amyl@omahastd.com or ext. 362

Thank you for your continued support! This is open to every employee - all staff, plant, and OSTEC. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and have an amazing day. On walk day all family is invited including pets!

Paint Procedures for Service Bodies - Revised as of January 18, 2005
Click here to view pdf of the paint procedures for our service bodies.

Door Adjustment for Service Bodies - Revised as of March 30, 2005
Click here to view pdf of MWI-9317.