Getting onto Training Top 125 list is no easy feat. Companies are graded on training programs, metrics, human resources, training infrastructure and more. This year, Shape beat out some tough competition and was ranked #12 – the highest in our history. Training Top 125 is a worldwide ranking of organizations that excel at training and associate development. This looks at the entire corporate training overall, not just single programs. In 2015, we beat out companies like Edward Jones, McDonald’s, Quicken Loans, MasterCard, AT&T, CVS, and more. Training and development became a business strategy and a necessary part of everyone’s employment experience here at Shape in 1996. Formal, corporate-wide needs assessments […]

The room was packed with fellow Toyota suppliers at the annual Bluegrass Automotive Manufacturers Association (BAMA), sponsored by Toyota, conference last week. Daric Morell, director of manufacturing, walked up to the stage to speak in front of hundreds of people about Shape’s journey with the Toyota Production System. BAMA reached out to Daric, Jay Blanchard, continuous improvement manager, Craig Arends, 1900 plant manager, because of the unique story behind Shape’s journey. Usually when Toyota comes into manufacturers to help them with their production systems, it’s because the supplier is in crisis mode – meaning that if they don’t change their ways, they could ultimately shut down Toyota. But this wasn’t […]

What started out as an internal campaign to raise awareness about safety, has turned into an opportunity to share our best practices with the entire Toyota supply base. Our “Work Safe, Have Fun” campaign focuses on being safe so you can enjoy your favorite activities outside of work. The iconic logos and tag-lines have been placed throughout the facilities to reinforce good safety habits. After the BAMA Safety Committee meeting this December, in Franklin Tennessee, Toyota requested attendees to share some of their best safety practices. Mike Westbrook, safety and environmental manager, sent in our “Work Safe, Have Fun” campaign to the group. Toyota liked the campaign so much that […]

Shape is partnering with FuturePrep’D again, to inspire and educate students about the manufacturing industry. Students received the opportunity to learn more about Shape, the manufacturing industry, career opportunities that fit their interests. During this program, they will also obtain more confidence going into secondary education and workforce. The program allows students to explore different career opportunities within Ottawa County. These students will spend several weeks visiting the locations and investigate problems that they could help solve. They will be paired with a Shape associates who will help mentor them through the problem solving process and ultimately prepare them to speak in front of Shape and a final competition.

More than 600 suppliers make products for Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL), and Shape China just topped their list, earning an honorable supplier award. DFL is a joint venture between Japan Nissan and China DongFeng Group. On December 22, on behalf of Shape China, Michael Wang, sales director and Lee Li, sales account manager, traveled to Panyu (near Guangzhou) to attend the 2015 DFL supplier meeting. Only 15 suppliers out of 600 received this special award. Congratulations team!

Nissan held their 2015 Annual Supplier Conference on October 28 and 29 in Franklin, Tennessee. Rebecca Vest, vice president of Nissan Purchasing for North America, presented Shape Corp. with the prestigious Nissan Monozukuri Spirit Award. Shape was one of only three suppliers that achieved this high recognition of Monozukuri Spirit for 2015.  In Japanese, Monozukuri is a compound word comprising “mono” which means “products,” (literally, “thing”) and “zukuri” which means “process of making or creation”. However, the concept embraces more than the literal meaning. It offers the idea of possessing the “spirit to produce excellent products and the ability to constantly improve a production system and process”. The concept carries “overtones of excellence, skill, spirit, zest, […]

Out of 103 suppliers at Herman Miller’s Supplier Day event, only eight were recognized as a Gold Supplier and Shape was one of them. During the event held on September 24, Herman Miller wanted to properly recognize suppliers who went above and beyond. Shape was recognized as a Gold Supplier for our performance in quality, delivery and cost. This puts Shape in a strong position for growing business with Herman Miller. “Congratulations to the entire team, but especially to the 1900 manufacturing, material planning, and shipping teams as they make it happen on a daily basis,” said Pete Klahorst, director of the Diversified business unit. On behalf of the rest […]

When Ryan DeBoer, Comstock plant manager, started at Shape just three years ago, the Comstock facility had the worst safety incident rate in the company. Since then, Comstock has turned their safety incident rate around and have now gone two years without an injury. It wasn’t easy getting there. It took an entire team to accomplish something as big as this. Ryan notes that the creation of their safety team has had a big impact on their safety success. “The consistent focus and drive to resolve safety issues has made a big difference,” said Ryan. The safety team meets twice a month and includes all shifts. During their meetings they […]

If there’s trash in your yard, you probably pick it up and dispose of it. However, picking up trash on the side of the highway is a little different and much more dangerous. You need reflective safety vests, reaching tools, appropriate highway pick up bags and gloves-because you don’t know what you might find. Last Monday, the HR and corporate service teams went out to Shape’s stretch of US-31, between Ferrysburg and VanWagoner Road. Associates picked up many things that had either been thrown out of a vehicle, or had blown out of it. A half dozen butternut squashes were found, gloves, car parts, plastic bags, Styrofoam cups and much more. […]

The Robinson Township Park is a beautiful place to take the family for an afternoon of fun. Many residents use this area year-round for walks, football games, family gatherings and much more. On September 11, the electrical engineering group headed over to the park for a day of giving back. The park was in need of some improvements. The team completed several different projects including rebuilding the scorers shed for the football field, replacing the mulch on the playground, replacing bench seating, and cleaning the long walking path. Although the day was long, and a bit rainy at times, the team was glad to give back to such a great […]