Summit brings Army industry leaders new perspective

Photo By Eben Boothby | Eric Blackwell, describes Polaris management principles to Army Materiel Command’s Organic Industrial Base representatives in Madison, Alabama. August 29, 2017. AMC industry leaders from around to country toured Polaris to see if the Army could benefit from their business model and improve Army materiel readiness. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Eben Boothby)  

REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL, UNITED STATES

08.29.2017

Story by Sgt. Eben Boothby  

U.S. Army Materiel Command   

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - To develop efficient and effective management practices, Army Organic Industrial Base commanders met at Army Materiel Command headquarters for a summit Aug. 28-30.

A crucial element of the national defense strategy, the Army Organic Industrial Base consists of 23 geographically-dispersed depots, arsenals and ammunition plants responsible for the rapid repair and availability of Army equipment used by Soldiers worldwide to train and fight.

"We sustain the Army; it is up to us to ensure we have the supply chain to support it," said Gen. Gus Perna, AMC commanding general. "Executing our promises is your priority. We must ensure the right people are doing the right work, and guarantee cost effectiveness of our operations."

Linking the OIB to readiness was the main theme of the two-day summit, and included updates, presentations and open discussions.

"We must be open to new ideas on how to manage workload, people, supply chains, control lines and money," Perna said.

The OIB Summit also included a trip to a local industrial facility to see the way the commercial industry operates. Army leaders went on a guided tour of Polaris Industries, a 900,000-square-foot off-road vehicle manufacturing plant in Madison, Alabama.

"We concentrate on delivering a high-quality product that meets the customer's needs," said Eric Blackwell, Polaris plant manager. "If we focus on that, profitability will take care of itself."

Throughout the commercial plant, large screens displayed the progress employees contribute toward a common daily objective. That employee engagement and focus on quality is both unique and critical to successful operations, said Lisha Adams, AMC executive deputy to the commanding general.

"Polaris' ability to take a corporate philosophy and break it down into a plant strategy that includes metrics for work stations and individual employees was impressive," said Col. Nathan Swartz, Tobyhanna Army Depot commander. "I really like the philosophy of rating either red or green. Either you met the goal or not; there is no amber. This develops a culture of accountability."

• Date Taken: 08.29.2017
• Date Posted: 09.05.2017 12:29
• Story ID: 247134
• Location: REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL, US