Metro Plastics Technologies - The Emphasis is on 'Solutions'
By Kym Conis (Plastics Business winter 2007 article) (Page: 1 2 3 4)

Employee Expectations - Setting the Bar High
Another key ingredient to Metro Plastics' success pertains to its employees. "Since we started in business over 30 years ago, we have been selective of both our customers and our employees. Each is very important to the success of a business," explains Hahn. Interactive training has been an integral part of Metro's quality program for quite some time, helping to ensure production efficiency and overall proficiency within each segment of the production process.

Metro employees participate in a Global Standards program, which provides interactive training that can be supplemented with in-house training and/or school. The GSPC (Global Standards for Plastics Certification) program is a comprehensive, rigorous training system designed to ensure that plastics industry production employees have a consistent level of knowledge and hands-on skills related to safety, quality customer service, and the production process. After completing each level of training, the trainee is tested by a certified auditor - a key factor to the program's creditability. The GSPC program offers Metro employees transportable proof that they have met specified standards within the industry - an accomplishment few individuals in the U.S. have obtained.

Additionally, Metro offers a unique work schedule to its production employees whereby they can earn 40 hours pay for 30 hours of work. The associate works six hours each day for five days. If he is on time and does not miss any days, he is rewarded with a full 40 hours pay. "Our employees are dependable; they perform when they are here; and they value their job because it meets both their financial and personal needs," states Hahn. "The labor pool is limited. With the 30/40 program, we are able to attract a variety of people such as retirees, college students, and single parents who value their jobs because we meet their needs and vice versa."

Promoting from within the organization is not only customary at Metro Plastics, it's expected. Internal programs such as the GSPC process, tuition reimbursement, and even the 30/40 compensation structure all provide Metro employees the opportunity to grow within the organization. "It's all a part of our 'up and out' attitude," explains Hahn. "We encourage our employees to take advantage of the educational programs we offer and work their way up, hopefully within our organization. But if we can't accommodate their talents and abilities, then they need to leave and pursue those goals. It works both ways."

Part of Metro Plastics' success is that it offers design, prototyping, custom molding, decorating, assembly, and warehousing services - all at one location. With all of these capabilities readily at hand, Metro is uniquely positioned to provide customized solutions far beyond the mere product. From its customers to its employees to the types of services provided, selection has been Metro's key to growth and success. By recognizing, and at times limiting, the organization to what is a good fit and rejecting what is not, Metro Plastics Technologies has discovered a way to spread its seeds and grow an organization of a very different composition - one that has no problem standing out in the 'field'.