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Manchester Tank Products Spotted at Quick Lube in Bedford, Indiana
It’s common to spot a Manchester Tank 20 lb. LP Gas Grill Cylinder because they are a product widely used on propane grills. Tony Patton, Engineering Services Manager at Manchester Tank (MTE) Bedford spotted this pair of Manchester Tank 420 lb. Steel DOT Vertical LP Gas Cylinders in service at the Quick Lube in Bedford, Indiana. They were manufactured at MTE’s Petersburg, Virginia facility. Today, these cylinders are manufactured at the Manchester Tank facility located in Quincy, Illinois.
And the winners of the 2014 ErgoCup Competition are . . .
Judges (L to R): Dan Copeland, Pat Tyson, Matt Hollub, and Cladiu Lungu
We are proud to announce the winners of the 2014 ErgoCup Competition:
- First Place: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Quincy, Illinois:
- MTQ designed a vessel hanging device which resulted in a quicker and ergonomically better way to attach/detach tanks during the manufacturing process.
- 1st Runner Up: Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Elkhart, Indiana:
- MTE designed a new shipping container loose loader which resulted in ergonomic improvements, risk reduction, reduction in labor costs and lower shipping fees.
- Best Risk Reduction (representing the highest overall risk reduction): Bibby Ste. Croix, Québec
- BSC designed a motorized grinding table that eliminated the movement required and improved the work posture of team members during the process.
- Best Innovation (representing the most innovative project): Manchester Tank & Equipment Company, Bedford, Indiana
- MTB built a custom flange rotating device to handle blind flanges in excess of 300 lbs. to prevent ergonomic injuries and improve manufacturing efficiency.
The judges for this year’s competition (pictured above) were Dan Copeland, Pat Tyson, Matt Hollub, and Claudiu Lungu.
“At the end of each year’s competition it leaves me thinking how could we possibly improve on this? But each year they do! The dedication to continuous improvement by those who participate in the McWane ErgoCup is truly fantastic,” said Fred Simpson, Corporate Industrial Hygienist who coordinates and leads the ErgoCup competition every year. “This competition is a great example of creativity, team work, and enthusiasm that has turned out a lot of great products which have significantly reduced the risk of injuries to our McWane team members.”
Congratulations to all the facilities and team members who participated in this year’s competition. With your hard work, our work environments are now safer – and not just for the facilities that developed the solutions. The project explanations and videos are all posted on the McWane intranet ErgoCup site and are available for viewing by all McWane facilities.
This year, let’s see how many good ideas developed by one facility can be duplicated at another! After all, that is what safety R&D is all about – rip-off and duplicate for the good of everyone!
Meet McWane: Terri Evans, Manchester Tank Bedford
Terri Evans
It was a long hot summer in 1972 when a 12-year-old Terri Evans began helping her brother mow the grass and maintain the landscaping at what would become the Manchester Tank Bedford facility. It was called Extruded Alloys back then and their mother worked as the Executive Secretary/Personnel Assistant. A few years later, Extruded Alloys closed the plant and Brunner Engineering eventually reopened the facility as an ASME Pressure Vessel manufacturing facility and Terri’s mother regained her former position. By 1987, Terri’s mother retired and Terri applied for the opening. E.B. Martin, the personnel administrator at the time, took Terri under his wing and became an invaluable mentor. He saw her potential and took the time to help develop it.
“I have had various mentors throughout my career, each having an impact on different aspects of my professional growth, from management skills, communications skills and technical skills. And while all of my mentors have played a role in my ability to reach my goals, there are two that stand out above the rest. E.B. Martin being the first to see my potential and now Larry Bowers is my mentor challenging me, encouraging me, teaching me things I wouldn’t have otherwise known,” said Terri. “This gives me the confidence to be effective in my job every day.”
Terri’s highly analytical mind, her commitment to quality and her Hoosier work ethic have proved to be a fearsomely effective combination – helping her rise through the ranks despite changes in facility ownership including Manchester Tank’s purchase of Brunner in 2000. She also continued her professional development using the company’s tuition reimbursement program to take college courses part time while raising her family and working full time, and in 2007 Terri earned a BS in business management. The climb from the ground floor (literally) to management took time, and along the way Terri learned not only the intricacies of our businesses, but also the wisdom, discipline and perseverance necessary to excel. Today she’s assistant group environmental compliance director responsible not just for the Bedford facility, but a number of other manufacturing and distribution centers as well.
“Watching Terri’s professional development and being able to play some small part in that development has been one of the highlights of my time with McWane,” said Corporate Environmental Director Larry Bowers.
Today, Terri is paying it all forward, sharing her knowledge and experience with those around her. Tiffany Smith, MTE Bedford’s Environmental Manager, had this to say about Terri:
“I have been so fortunate to begin my career under the tutelage and guidance of Terri. When I took my position shortly after graduation, I was overwhelmed, but Terri always took the extra time needed to help me to succeed. Her mentoring has improved my skills, enhanced my potential for professional growth and given me renewed confidence. I am grateful for each day that I have to learn from her.”
So are we all!
McWane, Inc. 