Pros
The positive changes that have been made at Shapes, are an example of what can happen when a company puts together a team such as the one currently in place. The new management team, is comprised of a group of people with well over 125 years of combined Aerospace, Ground Power, Tool and Die, Progressive Manufacturing, and Lean Tooling Practices that most companies would be proud to have on board. Not only has this team done well thus far, but along with a well seasoned group of team players on the shop floor, have given the company a great first half, with an even brighter forecast going forward. Also at this time, certain individuals at the Senior Management Level, have come out of retirement, as well as left other companies to join this team, and help take the company forward to a level it has not seen before. In my opinion, this is hardly the results of a company that is going nowhere but forward and up. New doors have been opened, new RFQ's are coming from many new places, and this is surely a sign of the times to come. Changes are under way to do all of this and more, and it is always inevitable that not everyone will like the changes in the near future, as well as beyond, and not everyone will be cut out for it. However in a world of Lean Manufacturing, Customer Driven Satisfaction (Job #1), Quality Products, and an enormous Ground Power, and Aerospace future forecast over the next few years, I believe this particular team has what it takes to get the job done. This team is getting stronger by the month, and I see the future, and it is very bright indeed.
Cons
The shop personnel is strong in many different ways, however to compete at the level we must in this day and age, it must grow stronger as well. A team is a team, and not divided in any way, and all involved must believe that we are stronger as one unit. Finding more key players on the floor will be out of necessity, and the team will grow from it. They have done some amazing things over the last few months, but had their hands tied in the past. Businesses pay good people to come to work to be productive,and do what they know how to do. The prior management should have let them do that, and they might have seen what a bright group they had to work with.