Production Team Leader, David Cooper is paving the way for efficient and inclusive work practices at Business Solutions Southport.
Throughout the years, he has utilised his background as a wood machinist to create jigs to help employees complete tasks and meet manufacturing standards of the site’s business partners.
A jig is a custom-made tool used to control the location or motion of parts or other tools. This improves the repeatability, accuracy and productivity of completing tasks.
With an abundance of imagination and innovation, David thoughtfully designs each jig with his team in mind who line up to test his creations.
“There’s not much I can do in a day’s work that people don’t see and come up to me to ask what I’m doing,” he said. “So there’s constant feedback which is really cool. When I design a jig, I break it down and put myself in my team’s shoes. No one wants to do a job that’s harder than necessary. So I’m always thinking of how things can be done in the easiest way possible.”
“As an example, Stratco came here one day and asked us to bag a lot of nuts and bolts. It was obvious very quickly that we had some issues, so I went away and started doing research. I ended up making a counting jig and went through the development and experimentation stages with our employees who provided their feedback.”
Watch a demonstration of the counting jig in action! ↓
Constructed from scrap wood and recycled parts from the on-site tip shop, the jig is made up of compartments – one for each type of nut and bolt – that has integrated slots to fit the exact quantity of each kind of piece. There are also photos attached above each compartment to provide employees with a visual aid.
With this jig, there’s no need to count! The employees simply add the pieces to their prescribed slots until full, place a bag under the funnel, turn the wheel to drop the pieces into the bag. And hey presto!
“This jig has opened the doors for probably at least six or seven people here on-site that would never have done this job,” said David. “And it’s like a snowball effect because once they feel the confidence that they can achieve this then it makes them confident to try other things.
“The enjoyment and the result for me is the visual smile on their faces or a sense of achievement when they go home and share what they’ve accomplished. It’s also a good thing for morale. Everyone has a bad day, but honestly I can tell ya, I wouldn’t work anywhere else.”
Today marks David’s 29th work anniversary with us. That’s 29 years of empowering employees whilst satisfying business partners by listening and adapting to his team’s abilities and learning styles. On behalf of #TeamPossible, thank you David for making possibilities a reality for people with disability.
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