Kohler Expansion Positions Company for Greater Success

Recently, Benjamin Noel followed a semi hauling a Kohler Power Systems generator. Warning flags fluttered from its sides, yellow lights flashing caution. The generator was one of the largest Kohler Power Systems builds, and Noel, a Kohler associate with 37 years of employment under his belt, had built the housing for the unit.

“Knowing I was a part of building that?” he asked above the factory noise. “That’s pretty neat.”

Noel stood in the south end of the recently completed 105,000-square-foot addition to the generator manufacturing plant in the Town of Mosel, north of Sheboygan. Here, associates work three shifts, making everything from marine generators to 3.25-megawatt behemoths that power entire airports and military bases.

Although many of the residential generators are built using mass production procedures, larger units are often built to customer specifications. And while it’s appropriate to stock inventory for mass-produced items, the nature of the specialized units required an updated, responsive inventory system used throughout the factory.

John Brickner, director of manufacturing, said this system “is about having the right part in the right place at the right time.”

Approximately three days’ inventory is in the factory at any given time, with cutting and bending of steel taking place the first day, painting on day two, and building taking place the following day.

“We turned this into a job shop,” Brickner said. “We focus on on-time delivery and trying to get things out as quickly as possible.”

Helping that along is one of the plant’s newest acquisitions, an Amada fiber laser, which cuts some of the 25 to 30 million pounds of steel that passes through the generator plant each year.

“The precision on this is amazing,” Brickner said, watching the machine work. “It can cut up to 140 inches per minute, and cuts up to five times faster than a regular laser.”

Previously, Brickner explained that when it came time in the manufacturing process to enclose the generators, KPS sourced outside vendors. That step added time and increased costs. The new addition provides space for the company to manufacture its own enclosures, allowing KPS to offer “an entire solution to our customers,” Brickner said.

The philosophy of a “one-stop shop” means that KPS manufactures much of the generators’ internal components – transfer switches, wiring harnesses, circuit boards and switch gears – which provides competitive advantages like quality control, decreased lead time, and cost savings.

“Our controllers are designed specifically for power generation,” Brickner said. “It’s a lot more interactive, with a focus on application.”

Brickner said the longest build cycle, from planning to shipment, is 12 weeks; most units are shipped in less time, and each unit stays on the shop floor being built for four or fewer days. All generators are run through the testing bay prior to shipment, an area that also allows customers to test generators and request adjustments as necessary.

A two-coat painting system, installed in 2010, creates what Brickner called “a robust coating system” to protect generators from salty or harsh environments, like those found in hurricane- and storm-ravaged sections of the country.

When Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012, many East Coast businesses went long stretches without electricity — KPS generators supplied power so grocery stores could keep food properly preserved, and gasoline pumps could provide much-needed fuel for customers.

Brickner said the demand for electrical power in the United States is growing “faster than population growth, construction growth and GDP growth.”

That situation, coupled with the country’s “antiquated and under-invested-in electrical grids creates a need for quality power,” Brickner said. “If the grid for the United States becomes overtaxed, we’ll have an increased need for reliable power distribution at the customers’ point of use.”

Generators certainly find their way around the world, but local companies also benefit. Brickner tapped a smaller generator, its injection-molded enclosure made by Bemis Manufacturing in Sheboygan Falls.

“We source a lot of parts locally, whether it’s packaging or plastics,” he said. “It supports the whole vitality of this area.”

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/          Deanne Schultz

Husqvarna Group Launches New Brand Driven Organization

June 13 -- Husqvarna Group will establish a new organization for its forest and garden operations which follows the brand dimension with a global profit and loss responsibility. The Construction division will continue in its current form. The new organization will gradually be implemented and fully effective as of January 1, 2015. Implementation costs and redundancies will be limited.

"The brand dimension of the new organization allows differentiating the three business models, each with their own distinct end customer target groups, strategy and offering - and aligning them with the associated operational resources and required leadership structure. Priorities will be simplified and responsibilities will be clear, thus achieving accountability and faster decision making. Important synergies will still be secured e.g. in sourcing, logistics and technology." says Kai Wärn, President and CEO of Husqvarna Group.

The forest and garden operations will be organized in three global brand divisions representing three different business models;

  · Husqvarna (including Zenoah), which are dealer channel centric brands that enjoy strong recognition across many different forest and garden product segments, primarily for professionals and demanding consumers. Net sales for the division in 2013 represented approximately 52% of Group net sales. The division will be headed by Pavel Hajman, who joined the Group on June 1.

  · Gardena, which is a retail centric brand with strong "must have" recognition in the consumer watering segment. Net sales for the division in 2013 represented approximately 13% of Group net sales. The division will be headed by Sascha Menges, currently Head of Manufacturing and Logistics.

  · Consumer Brands. This division includes all other Group brands, such as PoulanPro, McCulloch and Flymo. Net sales for the division in 2013 represented approximately 25% of Group net sales. The division will be headed by Alan Shaw, currently Head of Americas.

The divisions will have global profit & loss, cash flow and balance sheet responsibility. Most operational activities will primarily be organized within the divisions. To secure synergies and strategic alignment across the Group a Group Operations division will be established. Group Operations will be headed by Valentin Dahlhaus, currently VP Demand and Supply Chain Management. To further secure synergies and strategic alignment, global staff functions such as Business Development and Technology Office will also be established.

The Construction division, which represents around 10% of Group net sales, will not be impacted by the organizational changes in the forest and garden operations. Construction will continue under the leadership of Anders Ströby.

External business area reporting

In the Group's external financial reporting, the segment reporting will comprise four divisions; the three forest and garden divisions Husqvarna, Gardena and Consumer Brands, and the Construction division, as of January 1, 2015.

The new organization results in new cash generating units, which potentially creates a need for impairment of intangible assets. Any consequences will be communicated when known.

Group Management composition

Following the introduction of the new organization, Group Management will comprise:

Kai Wärn, President and CEO;

Ulf Liljedahl, CFO, Head of Group Staff Finance, IT and Investor Relations;

Pavel Hajman, President of Husqvarna Division (joined the Group June 1 as previously communicated);

Sascha Menges, President of Gardena Division (previously Head of Manufacturing & Logistics);

Alan Shaw, President of Consumer Brands Division (previously Head of Americas);

Anders Ströby, President of Construction Division;

Per Ericson, Head of Group Staff People & Organization and Communication;

Olle Wallén, Head of Group Staff Legal Affairs;

Pär Åström, Head of Business Development (previously not included in Group Management);

Valentin Dahlhaus, Head of Group Operations (previously VP Demand and Supply Chain Management and previously not included in Group Management);

Henric Andersson, Head of Technology Office (previously Head of Product Management & Development);

Frida Norrbom Sams, Head of Strategic Sales Initiatives (previously Head of EMEA);

Sofia Axelsson, Head of Group Branding and Marketing (previously not included in Group Management);

Francesco Franzé, Head of Program Office Accelerated Improvement Program (previously not included in Group Management).

Dixie Chopper Expands Staff

COATESVILLE, Ind. – June 20 -- On the heels of Dixie Chopper’s recent acquisition by Jacobsen, the mower manufacturer has appointed a new general manager and added four more employees to its growing sales and marketing divisions. The new key roles are part of Dixie Chopper’s ongoing commitment to developing relationships with dealers, partners and customers.  

Chris Vernon, previously vice president of strategy and product management for Jacobsen, has accepted the position of vice president and general manager of Dixie Chopper, effective immediately. Since 2001, Chris’ extensive experience includes sales, marketing, and product management for Greenlee’s telecommunication product lines, general management for Rothenberger, a pipe tool manufacturer and Greenlee joint venture partner; and, most recently, his role at Jacobsen.

David Hunt was hired as a product sales demonstrator and will support customers in North and South Carolina. David will be based out of Charlotte, N.C. and comes to Dixie Chopper with 20 years of experience in sales.

Jason Sentell recently started as a territory sales manager and is responsible for supporting dealers and customers in western North and South Carolina. Jason joins Dixie Chopper with seven years of experience in sales and marketing.

Dena Jenkins was hired as the marketing and events coordinator at Dixie Chopper headquarters and will be specializing in trade shows, event planning and marketing strategy. Dena brings over 18 years of experience in marketing communications to Dixie Chopper.

Sierra Kennedy recently started as the public relations and communications specialist at Dixie Chopper’s headquarters. Sierra will be managing media relations, social media and other marketing initiatives.

“I am very excited about my new role at Dixie Chopper and the direction we are headed,” said Chris Vernon, vice president and general manager of Dixie Chopper. “With Jacobsen and Textron behind us, we are making significant investments in our parts fulfillment, our products and our people. The four new strategic hires in our sales and marketing departments will help us continue the positive momentum we’re experiencing in the marketplace. Expect to hear a lot more from Dixie Chopper in the near future.”

www.lawnandlandscape.com              Lawn and Landscape Magazine