Adriana Girdler Speaks about Productivity in Windsor

(October 2012) – Adriana Girdler speaks about productivity at a conference in Windsor on October 17, 2012. The Windsor Star picked up Adriana’s well received talk to the WEtech Alliance delegates. 

By Dave Hall, The Windsor Star

Canadian manufacturers have made major productivity strides but have not kept pace with their global competitors, says the Ontario vice-president of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

“The key to all this is to be continuously improving rather than just occasionally improving,” Ian Howcroft told productivity seminar Wednesday organized by Windsor’s WEtech Alliance. “Investing in the right equipment is a key component of improving productivity, but many companies are still reluctant to make those capital investments until they are sure the recovery is real and sustainable.

“Until then, there will still be lingering issues within our manufacturing sector which contributes $275 billion to the Canadian economy annually.”

Beyond equipment, productivity gains can be achieved through competent visionary leadership, improved processes and empowered employees, said Adriana Girdler, an efficiency expert who runs Cornerstone Dynamics.

“Cutting profit margins to get business in the door is not the secret to sustained growth,” said Girdler, a Windsor native.

Productivity improvements are important across all sectors if Canadian companies are to compete with rivals who are no longer across town or even across the country, said Girdler, who has a background in automotive, process engineering, finance, law and pharmaceuticals.

“Productivity changes are often viewed as flavour of the month and there’s often no follow up to make sure the changes are working and sustainable,” she said.

“There’s often a dip in productivity when these changes are first implemented because employees need to be trained and it often takes longer initially to perform new processes than old ones. But companies which stick with the plan for six months or longer will realize improvements.”

To view the original story, please visit The Windsor Star

 

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