Page 8 - SRNS_Today_April_2021

8 | SRNS TODAY | APRIL 2021

Learning from

good IDEAS

The SRS employee suggestion program was created in 1952 and
has generated $250 million in savings, including approximately
$1 million per year for the past two years. It is reportedly the
longest continuous-running suggestion program in the United
States, having won over 50 national and international awards.
SRNS employee Caroline Reppert gives a fresh coat of paint to the Child Advocacy
Center of Aiken County. Recently, SRNS Senior Lean Six Sigma Specialist Blake Leaphart
described the history of the program, now known as IDEAS
SRNS employees volunteer (Individuals Developing Effective Alternative Solutions) and
explained the reasons for its continual success. His comprehensive
for Project VISION efforts presentation was delivered via teleconference to members of
OpExChange, a peer-to-peer network of companies in South Carolina
dedicated to learning and growing together. Member companies
For 25 years, SRNS employees have donated personal time to give host events and share practical examples of industrial automation,
back to their communities by volunteering for Project VISION (Volunteers lean manufacturing improvements and leadership development.
In Service In Our Neighborhoods), a DOE sponsored charitable event “This was one of our most impressive and highly valued
benefitting the United Way of Aiken County.
presentations. Thirty-six participants representing a wide variety of
COVID-19 protocols and the weather presented new challenges but did business and industry from across South Carolina provided positive
not deter nearly 100 SRNS employees from participating in 10 different feedback and expressed sincere appreciation for the information and
projects on March 26. guidance from Blake,” said Mike Demos, Coordinator, OpExChange.
Speaking about efforts that day, SRNS Project VISION Coordinator He emphasized that a robust employee suggestion system is
Joey Smiley said, “Our community needs us now more than ever, and a phenomenal tool to collect the undiscovered intelligence of
employees at SRS have answered that call. I am humbled every year on the workforce and turn this into results that not only benefit the
this day to see the selfless giving spirit of so many individuals.” organization but also increase employee morale.
The seven United Way of Aiken County partner agencies that received According to Leaphart, all
assistance this year included: Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, types of suggestions (such
Salvation Army Shelter, Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County, Mental as those related to safety,
Health America of Aiken County’s Nurture Home, Child Advocacy Center security, process and
(CAC) of Aiken County, Helping Hands and Golden Harvest Food Bank. productivity improvements,
At Golden Harvest Food Bank, volunteers packaged 360 food boxes for cost savings and avoidances,
the Senior Food Box Program, which provides supplemental food each and procedure efficiencies)
month to at-risk seniors living on a fixed income. Other team projects are eligible to ensure that
included: wheelchair ramp construction and repair, pressure washing SRS maximizes savings for
building exteriors and sidewalks, painting furniture, repairing steps, DOE and demonstrates
removing trash and replacing doors. good stewardship of
taxpayers’ money.
“The 25th annual Project VISION Day of Caring was the best ever,” Blake Leaphart
said United Way of Aiken County President Sharon Rodgers. “The men “This will allow other
and women of SRNS once again showed their care and compassion for companies in the region to understand the value of an employee
this community!” suggestion program,” said P.K. Hightower, Manager, SRNS
Continuous Improvement & Director, Interface Management.
Established in 1996, Project VISION helps United Way of Aiken County “Our employees know first-hand how to improve their processes;
partner agencies with facility maintenance. Many of these agencies however, they do not always have a chance to have their IDEAS
operate on limited budgets, and the challenge of contending with day- evaluated for implementation. This program provides the vehicle
to-day costs was more difficult this past year due to economic hardship for employees to continuously look for ways to cost effectively
caused by COVID-19. improve their processes without compromising safety and
By 1999, Project VISION had gathered so much support that volunteers security. It’s a win-win for employees and the company,
outnumbered the agencies needing assistance. As a result, the program employees become vested owners of their future at SRNS
expanded to include basic home repairs, which significantly improved and continuously look for ways to improve and build on
the living conditions of those most in need. those improvements.”