In the manufacturing industry, where precision and efficiency are paramount, Baker Group has emerged as a key player in enhancing automation processes for the Firestone plant in Des Moines, Iowa.
Baker Group has earned respect at the plant over years of service in a variety of capacities, ranging from mechanical work to industrial automation. As Firestone looked to bolster its engineering capabilities, the company turned to Baker Group for an assist in managing its automation systems.
Baker Group currently supplies a dedicated professional to provide engineering expertise full-time at the Firestone plant. The job requires the management of a spectrum of projects, ranging from small-scale improvements to major capital investments. The primary tasks include oversight and guidance relating to issues like throughput, process speed enhancements, and quality improvements.
In the past, having a contractor on-site full-time might have been less common. But the challenges posed in today’s workforce, especially in the post-COVID landscape, have made this arrangement more common.
While having a dedicated professional on-site might be unique for Firestone, it’s been a relatively common practice for Baker Group in the industrial sector. Similar solutions have been deployed for many other large manufacturers, most frequently for customers with a maintenance staff but without dedicated personnel for controls design and software.
The success of these ongoing collaborations hinges on a delicate balance of expertise and trust as manufacturing involves making changes that, if not done right, can lead to downtime and quality problems.
The trusting relationship developed at Firestone is as strong as ever. In addition to having a team member on site full-time, Baker Group is also managing several other projects at the plant including retrofitting old equipment, replacing outdated controls with modern, enhanced systems.