8/17/2010
By Terry McKay, Strategic Planning
Technology has changed the way people work. Today, employees are more likely to bring in new technologies on their own—and to do so enthusiastically—through their Web browser, whether it’s starting a blog, setting up a wiki to share knowledge, or collaborating on documents hosted online.
Using our companies SharePoint tools, we have been able to streamline our process for Global Planning and have seen a growth in communication and successful collaboration between departments as well as between countries.
We will continue to pave the way for new growth and new technologies throughout our organization, and strive to be the global leader in our industry
7/16/2010
By Rich Boaz, Manager, Controls Engineering
At Comau, we’ve thrived over the past few years through adapting to our customers’ needs and the market, not only from a product and value perspective but, more importantly, through the collective efforts of our people.
Customer Development Collaboration
While Comau was historically organized by product line, today we operate as one unit to meet customers’ needs in various locations and industries. For example, our Powertrain and BodyWelding groups work together to develop solutions to assembly challenges for our customers in industries like aerospace, heavy industry, packaging, etc. Combining the skills of our people and the technical know-how from each area of the company has allowed Comau to win orders that we may not have been able to bid on if operating independently.
Shared Resources
With Proposal, Engineering, and Program Management teams operating in nearly every time zone, Comau is able to share resources needed to bid, manage and execute a program based on skills and cost competitiveness. For example, engineering and build can be done in Italy for a portion of a job, while testing and complete installation can be done in the U.S., leveraging the key areas of the company to provide the most cost effective and efficient solution.
Product and Customer Development
While our historic partners remain essential to our business, there has been a significant investment in time and resources to help develop game changing solutions for our customers in industries like aerospace, rail transport, construction vehicles, solar energy, and wind energy. These initiatives couldn’t be put into place without collaboration between our distributed offices and their skills. Heavy emphasis has been placed on co-development which leads to better communication, understanding, and implementation of what is purchased. These activities help transform a customer-supplier relationship into a partnership.
Technology Sharing
An example of a shared technology between our BodyWelding and Assembly Group and Powertrain Group utilizes our own vision system to perform robotized piston insertion on an existing line with large part-to-part locating variance. This system was developed jointly between two Comau groups, generating new business for our company.
Comau has an extensive base of experience in terms of technical solutions, and in our people. Knowledge and proven solutions must be shared globally. Through web based applications, we are able to share data, hard and soft designs, as well as general collaboration and our knowledge bases online.
Comau routinely assembles employees from around the world for workshops that promote sharing of experiences and team building. Our ability to make our skills and information accessible to our employees in different locations and different skill areas is one of the reasons Comau is competitive today and a viable entity for years to come.
5/24/2010
Author: Tom Walker, Supplier Development
For the fifth consecutive year, Comau Inc. showed its support for supplier diversity by attending the Michigan Minority Procurement Conference. Being the largest conference of its kind in the United States, the MMPC allows hundreds of quality suppliers to connect with potential buyers in today’s dynamic market place. Some highlights from this year’s conference included a ribbon cutting ceremony with Detroit mayor, Dave Bing and a keynote address made by author Melvin J. Gravely II. Also making an appearance was Tony Brown, the MMDC’s Chairman and Vice President of Global Purchasing for Ford Motor Company. At Comau, we believe that diversity is necessary in building a strong foundation for future success and we’re dedicated to establishing new relationships with minority business enterprises. Forming new, long lasting relationships with a diverse network of suppliers is one of the ways that Comau is able to maintain its competitive advantage and have a positive impact on the local community.
Comau also will be attending the Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations "Partnering for Success" Minority Business Trade-Show Wednesday, May 26.
 5/5/2010
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In support of supplier diversity and our corporate diversity goals, Comau’s Mike Genovese and Tom Walker will be set up at the 2010 Michigan Minority Procurement Conference at COBO Hall in Detroit on Thursday May, 6. They will be in booths 500 and 501, located next to the entry. 5/3/2010
Author: Josh Kieleszewski, Test Engineer
I’m Josh Kieleszewski, a test engineer for Comau Powertrain Systems. My work focus is on powertrain test systems. In my three years with Comau, my work has been dedicated to Perkins engine test stands for their off-highway diesel engine line. During this time I’ve teamed up with a UK contractor, Roy Pasmore, whom we have used with the local Perkins projects in Peterborough, UK. Roy owns his own company, RP Controls, and over the last three years we have worked on three different continents together. As technology constantly advances and engines become more efficient we, as test engineers, must simultaneously learn about the new technology to remain effective in our field. Often times this means learning on the go. We can prepare all we want but there is always going to be something we don’t know. In my mind, the core of a good engineer is the ability to learn.
In addition to constantly educating ourselves with new technology and applications, we often have to conduct experiments to resolve an issue. Many times material is limited to execute proposed experiments and we are left to make the best of what is available. While on site at the Perkins engine plant in Peterborough, UK in February, Roy and I collectively referred to our work as “Ninjaneering.” A ninja is known to use his surroundings to his advantage and often finds uses for objects other than their intended purpose. Under this concept, Roy and I began referring to ourselves as Ninjaneers. A Ninjaneer combines math, science, the ability to learn on the fly, cleverness, and of course, having fun while accurately executing the job.
Stay tuned for our next post where we measure flow with a re-calibrated vessel coming later this week.
2/16/2010
Author: Chris Willetts, Graphic Design Intern
In September, I began my year-long internship at Comau. As a university student from England, I was excited about my time in the United States and anxious to see what kind of responsibilities I might (or might not, as some internships go) have the opportunity to tackle.
My time at Comau has already far exceeded my expectations. Not only do I sit amongst many talented engineers, I work directly with the marketing team daily as we work on a new website, logos, videos, graphics and more.
One project I’ve been most involved in is the creation of a new Comau Aerospace logo. (See above image). I drafted several versions of a logo and after much collaboration and debate, a final logo was chosen by the Comau Aerospace group. I have helped to create and perfect new product logos and posters and have even drafted a re-design of the office coffee area. It’s rewarding to use the skills I’ve learned in school on a high profile project that will actually be put into use.
I’ve also been working on images for the new Comau, Inc. website. I have been able to use my creativity, and the extensive knowledge and experience of Jim Agemak, to help create modern and fresh images for the new look of the website.
Next, I will be helping as we work on displaying our products and solutions on the website and I hope to work on some videos as well. Stay tuned for what’s next with my internship experience at Comau…
1/11/2010
Author: Max Falcone, Product Development Engineer
I recently jumped on the Android smartphone bandwagon after years of having a basic phone that did everything I needed it to do for me. As many of you know the big thing with smart phones are the apps, and the phone manufactures realize this with catch phrases like “we have an app for that.” Using my new phone, I have been thumbing through these apps, researching them online, and scouring forums like a man on a mission to find out what apps will actually simplify my life. So far, I have found one. The others are basically noise in the background.
Today I was thumbing through YouTube to see what videos are up there and I realized that at Comau, we are in the app business too. Just hear me out. If you want to weld doors together at blazing speeds, we have an app for that. If you want to unload parts out of racks, we have an app for that. If you want to pick random potato chips off a conveyor belt and sort them, we have an app for that.
While I realize our apps will not fit in the palm of your hand, they are very real, very cool, and very available. Now when I say “available,” I realize you can’t just download them, but chances are you see them everyday going down the road on two, four, and 18 wheels. Our apps are flying over your head at any given time, sometimes at super sonic speeds, so you might only hear it go by. Soon, our apps will help to create power in the form of solar energy so you and I can power our smartphones filled with apps. As a company we continually reinvent the wheel when it comes to productivity assembly systems. 2010 is shaping up to have a number of great new apps added to the COMAU lineup. I’ll be sharing more soon. Stay tuned.
P.S. Comau is releasing an iPhone app! We will update you when it's ready for use. 12/22/2009
The following is a press release from PRNewswire-USNewswire
DETROIT, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) announced the Corporate ONE award winners for its supplier diversity program which drives procurement opportunities with minority business owners. The Eleventh Annual Corporate One Awards program was held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan on October 15, 2009.
"Less than ten percent of our corporate members earn the Corporate ONE award. They are exceptional in their supply chain, cost saving efforts, and in growing their business by leveraging minority suppliers. We are pleased to honor them for their outstanding achievements," said Louis Green, MMSDC President and CEO.
Criteria for the Corporate ONE award includes having an established minority/diversity supplier development program, reporting minority purchases on a quarterly basis and membership to the MMSDC’s Project ONE, which is an initiative to aid minority businesses in becoming competitive bidders for corporate contracts, and sponsoring the MMPC Trade Fair or other major MMSDC event.
Corporations that lead Project ONE modules include: AAA Michigan, Alberici Constructors, Barton Malow Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Comau Inc., Continental North America, Delphi, Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford Health System, Johnson Controls, Kelly Services, Kellogg Company, Spectrum Health, Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing N.A., Walbridge, and Wayne State University.
About MMSDC
Founded in 1977, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) was formerly known as the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC). MMSDC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1,300 certified minority businesses and over 400 corporate members working to further its mission to certify minority businesses; provide access to procurement opportunities; and develop capacity for minority business development. The MMSDC was recognized by the National Minority Supplier Development Council as "Council of the Year" for its work with major corporations to promote minority business development and growth. Visit the MMSDC's website at www.mmbdc.com.
SOURCE Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
12/2/2009
Author: Willie Rushing, Electrical Team Leader
In early November, Comau took part in an energy audit at our Southfield complex. This activity was organized by Mike Spigoda, with the goal of saving energy and creating an even more environmentally friendly Comau. The audit, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, was conducted by a team from the University Of Michigan College Of Engineering, including Professor Arvind Atreya, and three of his undergraduate students, Paul, Brandon and Brian.
I knew this would be a great opportunity for our shops to make small changes that could yield large environmental gains (a lot of the takeaways from the audit can even be used at home), but I was surprised to see how easily some of the improvements could be made.
For example, replacing the T12 fluorescent lights fixtures with T5’s could result in huge energy and cost savings without sacrificing any brightness to the human eye. Also, installing motion sensors for lights allows them to shut off automatically while not in use. I was surprised to learn that plugged in appliances, even if they are shut off, still result in usage charges.
During the energy audit, we found that the shop floor was 20 degrees cooler than the ceiling area. By simply keeping the ceiling fans on, pushing the warmer air downward, we can run our heaters half as much. That’s a huge energy and cost savings. The UofM team also revealed that we could run our heaters even less if we install an air duct system that can redirect the heat generated by our air compressors into the building. It was eye-opening to hear of the small, quick changes we could make, even before seeing the official report.
The UofM auditors will be compiling a final report with all of their findings for us, highlighting the potential energy savings, along with cost savings we could generate at Comau through implementing their ideas. We are anxiously awaiting their report at the end of December, and look forward to making their suggested improvements to continue with our EcoComau initiative. I will be reporting back to you soon to let you know what improvements we’re making.
9/29/2009
Author: Willie Rushing, Electrical Team Leader
It never gets old. I was recently asked by someone, "Willie how do you do all the traveling and field service? That has to be hard."
My response was, "Are you kidding me? This never gets old."
I recently returned from a successful launch in Oakville, Ontario Canada. I was there for an extended period of time because it involved the launching of four different models, one right after the other. I can honestly say that after more than 20 years at Comau, the feeling of success never gets old.
There's no greater feeling than pressing that "initiate auto" button for the final time and watching the magic happen. In that instant, you think of the countless hours that have led up to this moment.
From estimating, quoting, design, project management, manufacturing and programming, all leading up to just one act of pressing the button. You still get the same goosebumps as you did on your very first install. This is followed by the feeling of, "wow I did this". And then, we all exhale the breath we'd been holding for months. You think of all the hard work that everyone did to get to the finishing point of a project and you realize how fortunate you are to be a part of this talented workforce.
Upon exiting the customer facility, you take one more glance over your shoulder, to soak in the pride you have for what's just been done.
So when people ask "How do you travel so much or work so hard?," it's not a question of how, it's why. The answer is simple: It's because the feelings of success never get old. |
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