Employees of Formica Corp., the Evendale maker of high-pressure laminate, spent a couple of hours this week away from their jobs attending the company's first “Quality Fair,” aimed at heightening employee awareness of the importance of quality in their jobs.

        “We have a diverse work force, and we want to help people put pride back in their work,” said Justine Clark-Lomax, Formica training manager and an event organizer.

        Spread over four shifts on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the plant's 600 employees had the chance to visit a series of booths focusing on key quality issues in a training room.

        One, for example, showed a defect in the high-pressure laminate manufacturing that cost the company $17,000. The employees who participated also had the opportunity to enjoy food and win prizes.

        The fair was supported by IUE-CWA Local 757, which represents hourly workers.

        “We care about quality because it's our job,” said Gene Stephens, Local 757 vice president.
       

Daylong training sessions are Tuesday

        Two daylong training sessions aimed at manufacturers are slated for Tuesday.

        Midwest Manufacturing Solutions will hold a head-to-head manufacturing simulation with two teams competing against each other starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Gregory Centre downtown. The simulation, using lean manufacturing techniques, is designed to show the effect competition has on a manufacturer. For information, contact Christina Mann at (513) 381-7200, Ext. 130 or go to www.Operational Excellence.com.

        TechSolve, the manufacturing and technology assistance organization, holds a new course on the fundamentals of metalworking fluids at its Bond Hill center starting at 8 a.m. Topics include selection, maintenance and disposal of fluids and lubricants. For information, contact Rene Wierzbinski at (513) 948-2076 or at wierzbinski@techsolve.org.
       

Screen printer gets loan from state

        Champion Screen Printing Corp. in Fairfax has received a $290,560 loan from the state of Ohio to help purchase a Flexographic printing press.

        The company says the $726,400 printing press investment will create five jobs in three years and help keep five other jobs.
       

The Hubert Co. displays online system

        The Hubert Co., the Harrison supplier to food retailers and food service operators, demonstrated its private, online buying exchange, called SiteLine, at the Food Marketing Institute's annual convention this week in Chicago.

        The exchange, customized and password-protected for each customer, allows direct ordering without purchase orders, signatures and approvals of about 24,000 products from 850 vendors, the company said.

        Customers can also view their account histories, track orders and inventory, and view the industry's newest products.
       

Chemical risks are topic of meeting

        The perception versus the reality of chemical risks will be discussed at the Alliance for Chemical Safety meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Avon Woods Nature Center.

        The alliance is composed of members of industries, agencies and the public interested in chemical safety.

        Mike Boyer covers manufacturing for the Enquirer. Have news? Call him at 768-8494, e-mail at mboyer@enquirer.com or fax 564-6991.

Comair waits for tally
Cash registers rang gaily in April
Computer technology helping speed products to market
Boeing lands on Chicago as its new headquarters
Rivals ready for Dobbs
Industry notes: Manufacturing
Morning Memo
Business Digest
Tristate Business Summary
What's the Buzz?