June, 2000 Volume 6 Issue 10
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
by Sandy Ging Kohfeld, C.P.M.
As I close my term as president of NAPM—St. Louis, Inc., I reflect on how this past year has been one of tremendous change for me, both personally and professionally.
The year began with the installation of officers last May, just several weeks before my wedding on May 29, 1999. My husband, Kurt and I then left on a dream honeymoon to play golf at Pebble Beach—something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. Since then, we have built a new home in Eureka, Missouri and are expecting our first child on June 8. It has been a very very busy year on a personal level.
Professionally, I cannot tell you how impressed I’ve been by the dedication of our board members, committee chairs and our numerous episodic volunteers. These are the people who give selflessly of their time to make our dinner meetings and seminars as good as they can be. They constantly strive to find out the ever changing needs of our membership and our industry and strive to tailor the programs to meet our needs. Their only motivation is a dedication to the purchasing profession and a desire to serve others. That truly is impressive!
After working in purchasing for 24 years, I’ve reached a point where I want to give something back. That’s where NAPM comes in — to provide continuing education to keep us proficient in our careers. This is something that I plan to continue throughout the rest of my career.
It has been such an honor to serve as your president and become a part of the rich history of this fine organization. If you look at the list of past presidents, you realize the caliber of individuals who have served. It is a very humbling experience. This past year has taught me that dreams can and do come true.
PRO -D CORNER:
NAPM Website
www.NAPM.org
by Steve Wester
Do you ever sit at your desk and ask yourself how you are going to deal with a particular problem?
Do you ever need to do research on a particular topic for work or just curious about specific issues affecting today’s busy purchasing professional?
Are you interested in pursuing your C.P.M. or A.P.P. certifications but don’t know how to get started?
The NAPM website at www.NAPM.org has an abundance of valuable information at your fingertips. The website provides Professional Development information including:
Certification
Education
Research
Career Center
There is also a News and Resources link that lists archived copies of the NAPM Reports on Business and articles from Purchasing Today. Information concerning educational products, on-line courses, seminars, and programs can be ordered on-line via the Fax-on-Demand link.
For NAPM members, the Member Gateway greatly expands the amount of information readily available. Just type in your NAPM ID and last name and you’re on your way!
Don’t forget to try the Discussion Forums where you can post messages and talk with others about common purchasing and supply management issues, concerns, or problems.
The NAPM website is another great tool for all of us to use. Give it a look!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
At the May, 2000 Board of Directors meeting, the following memberships were approved:
REGULAR MEMBERS:
Denny Beckerman
Vice President, Purchasing
Bono, Inc.
11753 Parish Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044
(314)291-1962
Jeffrey R. Boedeker
Purchasing Agent
SLM Electronics
11880 Borman Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314)569-0141
(314)569-0175 (fax)
boedeker@slme.com
Susan A. Brammeier
Purchasing Agent
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
sue_brammeier@nascote.com
William H. Burke
Purchasing Agent
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
bill_burke@nascote.com
Jana Casteel
Inventory Controller
Liguori Publications
One Ligouri Dr.
Ligouri, MO 63057
(636)464-2500
(636)464-2502 (fax)
Jcasteel@ligouri.org
Carolyn S. Detering
MRO Senior Buyer
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
carolyn_detering@nascote.com
Thomas G. Hendricks
Packaging Engineer
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
tom_hendricks@nascote.com
Daniel T. Huebel
Packaging Engineer
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
dan_huebel@nascote.com
Marlo Meyer
Purchasing Supervisor
Sigma Chemical
3050 Spruce St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314)286-8336
(314)286-7851 (fax)
mmeyer@sial.com
Toni McCrady
Director of Purchasing
Panera Bread Co., Inc.
7809 Somerworth Ct.
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314)918-7779
(314)918-7773 (fax)
Jo Sanders
Purchasing Manager
Wainwright Industries, Inc.
15 Del Ray Ct.
St. Peters, MO 63376
(636)278-5850
(636)278-8806 (fax)
David Steinberg
Inventory Control Manager
Airgas Mid-America
2683 Scenic Point Dr.
Washington, MO 63090
(314)533-3100
(314)533-7328 (fax)
Arthur E. Stolle
Materials Director
Nascote Industries, Inc.
18310 Enterprise Ave.
Nashville, IL 62263
(618)327-4381
(618)327-9801 (fax)
art_stolle@nascote.com
Dennis Swann
Purchasing Manager
Corbitt Mfg. Co.
5249 Northrup Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314)773-3046
(314)773-0585 (fax)
Sheila A. Vaughan
Buyer
Magellan Health Services
13736 Riverport Dr.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314)595-3660
savaughn@magellanhealth.com
Stephen A. Watson
Director of Purchasing
Aerofil Technology, Inc.
17028 Sandalwood Creek Dr.
Wildwood, MO 63038
(573)468-1463
(573)860-2113 (fax)
swatson@aerofil.com
Direct Recruit
R.E. COWAN AWARD WINNING ESSAY, by Mark Paschke
Value Analysis Report:
Manufacturers Railway Company
Locomotice - Remote Control (Single Operator) Operation
Vs.
Locomotive - Manual Control (Train Crew) Operation
BACKGROUND:
Manufacturers Railway Company is a Class III railroad which operates forty-two (42) miles of tracks within the St. Louis, Missouri city limits. Approximate operating, mechanical, clerical and staff employees equals one hundred (100).
Manufacturers Railway provides rail service to Anhesuser-Busch, Solutia, Nooter Boiler and other miscellaneous surrounding businesses within the City of St. Louis.
Railway locomotives of all sizes and horsepower are the main work horse of industry and Manufacturers Railway Company. They are the essential equipment providing the movement and handling of material and other rail cars.
Presently locomotives are manned by three (3) to four (4) crew members. These crews (operating employees) can be identified as; Engineer, Foreman/Conductor, Fieldman/Helper and Headman/Helper.
Locomotives are operated by the engineer who receives communications or train orders from the Foreman and the other two crew members, in the form of radio and/or hand signals, which expedite the movement of the locomotive.
Generally industry wide the crew members are union employees and are governed by bargaining agreements which guarantee hourly wages, health coverage and work rules. Crew members are compensated according to their assigned position on the locomotive crew. Wages and benefits packages are negotiated on four year contract arrangements.
These allowances are as follows:
Position Hourly Wage Daily Rate Yearly Rate
Engineer $ 19.00 $ 152.00 $ 36,480.00
Foreman $ 18.00 $ 144.00 $ 34,560.00
Fieldman $ 17.00 $ 136.00 $ 32,640.00
Headman $ 17.00 $ 136.00 $ 32,640.00
Manufacturers Railway Company maintains five (5) Train Crews on a around-the-clock (24 hour) seven (7) days a week. Roughly operating eight hundred (800) hourly man-hours a week.
Manufacturers Railway Company operates seven (7) locomotives in it’s fleet. Maintenance of the locomotives requires weekly inspections consisting of diesel fuel, water, sand and minor repairs and or adjustments.
PROPOSAL:
Provide Manufacturers Railway Company with an cost cutting alternative to the daily operation of it’s facility. The alternative cost cutting would to be to eliminate hourly personnel with the installation of a remote control device on it’s seven (7) locomotives. This device would allow a single employee to operate and perform what now takes four employees to accomplish in a eight (8) hour period.
Benefits - Radio Locomotive Remote Control Operation
Cost Reduction - Locomotive crew is reduced to one employee per shift per locomotive operated. Payback in labor savings alone could be realized immediately.
Safety - Remote control takes the operator out of the locomotive cab providing the operator with improved visibility and total control from a safe position. Modern technology prevents false motions and movements and provides for a safe controlled operation.
Simple Operation - Portable, lightweight transmitter is easier to operate than manual stationary locomotive cab console controls. The durable plastic transmitter is comfortable and easy to operate.
Production Efficiencies - Equipment is in service only during material moves and allows completion of tasks quickly.
Locomotive Functions - The locomotive mounted receiver receives the radio signal and converts it into electrical outputs for operation of the locomotive.
Direction; forward/reverse
Throttle speed
Locomotive Brake Applications
release, run, slow apply, quick apply
Train Brake Applications
release, run, slow apply, quick apply
Auxiliary Functions
horn, bell, sander, lights, coupler
Cab mounted locomotive function indicator lights
Maintenance - Downtime is minimized with the use of heavy industrial components and quick troubleshooting techniques made possible with LED lights located on the transmitter and in the receiver cabinet. Troubleshooting does not require an
Electrical or Radio Technical background to maintain the
equipment.
Installation Cost - $10,000 per locomotive (radio control & receiver cabinet)
+$ 2,500 per locomotive for installation
$12,500 Total
VALUE ANALYSIS:
LABOR SAVINGS: 4 Person Crew $ 136,320.00
Single Operator - $ 36,480.00
SAVINGS (yearly per crew) $ 99,840.00
5 - 4 person crews X 7 days $ 954,240.00
5 - Single Operators X 7 days - $ 255,360.00
SAVINGS (yearly per crew) $ 698,880.00
INSTALLATION COST: 7 Locomotives x $12,500 - $ 87,500.00
OVERALL SAVINGS $ 611,380.00
CONCLUSION:
Radio remote controls for your locomotives can replace four man crews with a single operator while at the same time increasing safety and productivity.
Locomotive operations can be controlled from any position, inside or outside the cab, from the front or back of the train. The operator can couple or uncouple cars, throw manual switches, or pilot into areas without depending on hand signals or voice communication from other crew members.
The radio remote control system duplicates all manual locomotive and train controls making training and operation acceptance easy.
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