east penn manufacturing company (deka...
TRANSCRIPT
East Penn Manufacturing Company
(Deka Batteries)
A science teacher’s tour ~ Summer 2011
By David Daniels
Oley Valley High School
IBb ProgramA comprehensive program for successful local businesses to show teachers what the future holds for our students.
East Penn Manufacturing Co.
4-day extensive tour of several
manufacturing plants and supporting
departments
Understanding the corporate mission
Comprehending the formula for Deka’s
success
Asking what attributes Deka’s employees
need to be successful
Educational Skills Needed
High School graduates to Physicians
All education and training is helpful
Exponential growth
Wonderful chances to advance
Willing to make considerations
Salary Ranges
Hourly from $15 to $24+
85% of employees are making batteries
Advancement is welcome from all
departments
Wonderfully uncommon benefits
Greatest Asset
Exponential Growth through – successful
sales, high quality products
Re-investment back into the company
Devoted workforce
Despite labor-intensive product lines,
Deka remains focused on what they do
well, constantly refine manufacturing
approaches
Technology
Tremendous investment in various machinery
Robotics, automated lines, ovens/chillers, material handling
Molding plant processing
New automotive building, distribution building, rail-accessible building
Communication at all levels
Biggest Challenge
Explosive growth Hiring levels raised to meet demand, training
Mandatory overtime
Automate wherever possible
Attaining and moving raw materials
Constraints of plant location
Safely using hazardous materials Environmental challenges, recycling
Workplace Success
Knowledge: mechanical would be nice
Skills: learn fast, listen well, stay consistent
Be open for change
Attitude: embrace the passion, understand how quickly the company is changing, prideful workplace
What to add to my class
Understand professionalism at all levels
Attendance is a simple key for success or
failure
Learn as much as possible, as quickly as
possible, it become’s your value to your
employer
Never underestimate the value of every
employee
Take advantage of all opportunities
Classroom Implementation
13.2.11.C: Career Acquisition
Develop and assemble career acquisition
documents As a classroom activity, I plan to direct each student to design and
construct their resume. Using the employment template seen at
Deka, I will help students understand the various needs of today’s
industry. High School students need to be made aware of the
needs of local businesses and how they can shape their futures
before they graduate. Students need to know how employers
interpret the abilities of potential employees. Resumes are a
constantly-evolving process; every student needs to focus on their
goals and how they can build a path to achieve those goals.
Classroom Implementation
13.3.11 C – Career Retention and
Advancement
Evaluate conflict resolution skills as they
relate to the workplace I plan to break up my class into small groups and have positions
designated to each student: supervisor, employee, HR rep, and
observer. Using various real-life issues I experienced during my
tour at Deka, I plan to give each a group a scenario that they have
to “act” out. This sensitivity training exercise will demonstrate to
the students how challenging a supervisory position can be.
Students will learn conflict resolution, negotiation, and creative
problem solving skills.
BIG THANKS to our friends!!