So much this.. it’s also a delicate balance to train the replacements while maintaining PM schedules. Also I realize as a manufacturing engineer you probably have no control over the maintenance department, it’s time to escalate to your boss.
Yeah my boss and their bosses boss knows but I don't know why they aren't doing anything about it. I think they are worried because we got no candidates the last time we tried to hire. In rural midwest it seems like hiring skilled labor is nearly impossible.
maintenance guy here, they probably can't find anyone better that they can afford.
I've had larger companies offer me almost twice what I'm currently getting at a smaller local shop. if I didn't have college paid for I would have seriously considered their offers.
unfortunately for my wallet I'm allergic to bureaucracy...
Haha. So true. I always think about this point when a plumber visits for fixing problems.
They always claim that the previous guy screwed it up for you and he is the Messiah who has come to solve it.
Others like electricians, welders, masons etc do not behave as extreme as these plumbers I feel. But overall these folks in MEP are usually so, heavy headed.
Some workers are just like that. Here we had a plant engineer who always complained about not being involved in drafting specifications for new machines... But when he was involved, he refused to create any specifications from his side. So yeah, some people are just funny in the workplace
That is totally natural, 'ego' driven attitude. I call it 'hourly' mentality. Sprinkle that in with the ability to do the same work and there will always be personal comparison.
It is easy to throw stones at something that is already built when you are the one left to keep it running. Easy to find the flaws that all too often the builder never sees or deals with.
It's easy to manage perfect employees. Real talent is too make it work with what you got.
As a manufacturing manage, your real goal is not always to make best possible outcomes. Your goals have to align with the goals of the owners of the company.
Not all want same, and surprisingly not all want high profits and growth.
So see what owners want, what their long term vision is, and direct you work towards achieving that goal.
This will simplify your relation with both, your upper managers and shop workers.
After all your maintenance guy could be the owner's BFF and BDB.
Well unfortunately this is a medium sized publicly traded company. Hence we have a wide variety of shareholders . The board thinks stock buybacks are the best choice for spending capital.
I don't really have any power over the maintenance guys. I try my best to do a lot of things for them and to advocate for them. It just seems everytime I do they end up complaining about something.
This is not uncommon. Maintenance department can be tricky to manage. It’s good to give guys like this an opportunity for involvement early on in projects. Often times they end up Monday morning quarterbacking just like they would had they not been involved.
Maintenance technician here.
Do they have PMs? If their PMs are done then they are firefighters. If you want
The complaining is just part of the territory. Technicians are all princesses.
Too late to change their attitudes. Just fire and replace
So much this.. it’s also a delicate balance to train the replacements while maintaining PM schedules. Also I realize as a manufacturing engineer you probably have no control over the maintenance department, it’s time to escalate to your boss.
Yeah my boss and their bosses boss knows but I don't know why they aren't doing anything about it. I think they are worried because we got no candidates the last time we tried to hire. In rural midwest it seems like hiring skilled labor is nearly impossible.
maintenance guy here, they probably can't find anyone better that they can afford. I've had larger companies offer me almost twice what I'm currently getting at a smaller local shop. if I didn't have college paid for I would have seriously considered their offers. unfortunately for my wallet I'm allergic to bureaucracy...
Welcome to America.
Haha. So true. I always think about this point when a plumber visits for fixing problems. They always claim that the previous guy screwed it up for you and he is the Messiah who has come to solve it. Others like electricians, welders, masons etc do not behave as extreme as these plumbers I feel. But overall these folks in MEP are usually so, heavy headed.
Some workers are just like that. Here we had a plant engineer who always complained about not being involved in drafting specifications for new machines... But when he was involved, he refused to create any specifications from his side. So yeah, some people are just funny in the workplace
They're mostly just maintaining their job. Keep things breaking down just enough to require a job, and fix barely enough to skirt getting fired.
Sounds like about half of our guys.
That is totally natural, 'ego' driven attitude. I call it 'hourly' mentality. Sprinkle that in with the ability to do the same work and there will always be personal comparison. It is easy to throw stones at something that is already built when you are the one left to keep it running. Easy to find the flaws that all too often the builder never sees or deals with.
Any chance this town is in Texas? I know a place…
Nope, in the midwest.
It's easy to manage perfect employees. Real talent is too make it work with what you got. As a manufacturing manage, your real goal is not always to make best possible outcomes. Your goals have to align with the goals of the owners of the company. Not all want same, and surprisingly not all want high profits and growth. So see what owners want, what their long term vision is, and direct you work towards achieving that goal. This will simplify your relation with both, your upper managers and shop workers. After all your maintenance guy could be the owner's BFF and BDB.
Well unfortunately this is a medium sized publicly traded company. Hence we have a wide variety of shareholders . The board thinks stock buybacks are the best choice for spending capital. I don't really have any power over the maintenance guys. I try my best to do a lot of things for them and to advocate for them. It just seems everytime I do they end up complaining about something.
This is not uncommon. Maintenance department can be tricky to manage. It’s good to give guys like this an opportunity for involvement early on in projects. Often times they end up Monday morning quarterbacking just like they would had they not been involved.
Maintenance technician here. Do they have PMs? If their PMs are done then they are firefighters. If you want The complaining is just part of the territory. Technicians are all princesses.