Herd North America
The why and how to implement robotics in the workplace

DESCRIPTION :

Herd North America is a premium manufacturer of Truck Guards, Grille Guards and Cabguards. For many years Herd struggled to hire and retain staff that were prepared to do the demanding finite grinding and polishing work, core to the manufacturing process. Learn about Herd’s 5-year journey to automation using robotics, from the early trials and first robot cell to the six robot cells in operation today, four sanding and polishing, one welding and one development and six more in the works. Hear how automation has helped develop and get the best out of the workforce; Programmers learning the nuances of sanding and polishing, and Polishers learning how to run robot cells to produce the same high quality they were in the past.

PRESENTER:

Dave Gata, Director of Operations

Dave Gata has been working with Herd for 18 years. He started with the company as a Grinder Polisher in 2004 and worked his way up the ranks to Director of Operations. Dave has a Greenbelt in Lean Manufacturing through the CME and uses Lean methodologies in day-to-day business with Herd. Dave spends most of his time ensuring that daily operations is running as efficient as possible alongside strategizing on where the next new piece of equipment can be implemented to help Herd get to next level manufacturing.

CO-PRESENTER

Eldon Falk, Automation Supervisor

Having worked at Herd for 5 years, Eldon came from an Engineering/Drafting position and now enjoys working with automation. After joining Operation Support his role eventually landed him in Robotics. As the Automation Supervisor, Eldon is now focused on leading his team in ensuring that robotics runs efficiently.  Eldon is also involved in the introduction and integration of new robotic cells at Herd.

Rating: Intermediate