Humantech Selects Winners Of Annual Find It – Fix It Challenge

The winners of Humantech, Inc.‘s ninth annual Find It – Fix it Challenge have been selected from over 170 entries from 33 companies located in 19 countries.

The Find It – Fix It Challenge recognizes and rewards effective workplace solutions that increase productivity, improve worker morale, and reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. The contest was derived from Humantech’s RAPID Team Events®, which are based on making quick, simple, and visible changes to improve ergonomic issues in the workplace.

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Credit: Humantech, Inc.

This year, past or current Humantech clients submitted entries into one of two categories: Easy-to-fix solutions that cost little to implement were categorized as “simple,” and improvements that required more time, resources, and budget made up the “complex” category. One winner and honorable mention were selected in each category.

In the “simple” category, The Timken Company‘s Lincolnton, NC, plant took top honors with its “Close-in Die Removal” entry. Prior to the fix, an operator had to squeeze into a tight space, rotate his hands in a very awkward position, and manually pull a die out of a press. To improve the task, the company manufactured a close-in die removal tool. The solution is so effective that it takes only five minutes to train employees how to use the tool. The honorable mention was awarded to Genie’s Moses Lake, WA plant for its P-Com Powder Coat Blue Booth.

Find-It–Fix-it-Challenge
Credit: Humantech, Inc.

The winner of the “complex” category was the Cardinal Health Dominican Republic plant for its X-Y Glue Application. Prior to the improvement, an operator had to manually apply hot glue in an X-Y pattern. The company designed and manufactured semiautomatic equipment in-house, and the new process is much more efficient. The honorable mention was awarded to The Timken Company’s Canton, OH, plant for its Automated Roller Pin Hole Polisher.

Click here to view a recorded webinar announcing this year’s winners.

The 2016 Find It – Fix It Challenge® will kick off early next summer.