It has been almost a year since Boeing sold its
small Thermal Joining Center in Kent to GKN Chem-tronics. From
the outside of the building, the only visible change is the company
name and logo, but step inside and the differences become readily
apparent.Perhaps the most stark distinction between the GKN plant in Kent and its predecessor, Boeing, is employee morale. The atmosphere is much more conducive to a successful work environment and employees seem energized about the work they perform. Noticeably missing is the tension and fear that is present in Boeing, as employees wonder if they will have a job in the future.
Since buying this plant a year ago, GKN has aggressively pursued additional work and is making obvious investments in the future such as buying new equipment, training employees, and marketing their assets.
Members at GKN, who were skeptical of their future a year ago, have become firm believers in their new employer. In November, GKN purchased a new 6-axis milling machine and is currently in the process of installing this state-of-the-art equipment. A second electron beam welding chamber will be added after the first of the year, and will be operational in early 2004. Both are signs GKN is actively working to expand its manufacturing base.
The new 6-axis milling machine will perform final machining of the aft boom on the F-22. The work is currently done in California, but approximately half of the workload will move to the Kent facility as soon as the machine installation is completed, the machining process is qualified and employees are trained. GKN recently was awarded another contract for the F-22. In addition to increasing current production, GKN is exploring the possibility of doing landing gear work and pursuing JSF work, as well. All of this means job security for these members in Kent.
While many Union members were leery of the profit-sharing language in their first GKN contract, all seemed pleased with the bonus they received in July. Members are on target to get another bonus in February, as they continue to meet all their production goals. Employees at this plant are very proud of their 100 percent on-time delivery record.
Yet convincing this veteran workforce of the merits of their new contract was no easy task. Many employees had more than 20 years at Boeing before transferring to GKN in the sale.
Union Steward Todd Bowne helped explain
the new contract and the differences from the traditional Boeing
contract. He noted, "Once we became GKN employees, management
circulated a list of the jobs and asked what skills we would like
to learn. The plan is to cross train everyone on the various jobs
in the shop so we have a very versatile workforce. Learning new
skills only makes us more valuable and the work more interesting
and diverse.""Since we are a small operation, the Company wants the flexibility to move employees around depending on the current work packages. It's very different than the structure at Boeing, but seems to benefit both the members and GKN," added Todd.
David Muth had worked at Boeing for 23 years when he learned of the GKN purchase. Eager to obtain job security and work for a company he can plan to retire from, David actually quit Boeing (since he wasn't working in the building that sold) to come over in the initial transition and accept the position at GKN. "I haven't looked back since I decided to leave Boeing. It's great to work for a company that is investing in the future and buying new equipment. It was a good move for me to work at GKN rather than worrying constantly about my job security at Boeing."
Since buying the plant, GKN has added several more employees with plans to hire additional workers after the first of the year. Twenty-year old Jerad Ostlund, one of the new hires, is evidence that GKN is investing in the future and the next generation of workers.