Strong Hold & Production Tool Systems – Enhancing Efficiency and Ergonomics at Komatsu’s Chattanooga Plant

Overview

The Komatsu Chattanooga plant sought to streamline operations and improve ergonomics for workers assembling hydraulic fluid tanks, each weighing over 500 pounds. The specific challenges were:

1. Secure Tool Storage: Komatsu required reliable, extreme-duty storage cabinets for tools and equipment that would remain organized, easily accessible, and secure, ensuring that workers could maintain efficiency throughout their shifts.
2. Employee Personal Storage: With personal items needing secure storage close to work areas, Komatsu looked for a solution that would allow employees to safely store their belongings within reach, without compromising work area space.
3. Ergonomic Work Environment: Assembly of the large hydraulic fluid tanks required frequent bending and heavy lifting, placing strain on workers. Komatsu wanted an ergonomic table design that would enable employees to reach all parts of the tank with minimal physical strain, thereby improving productivity and worker well-being.

Solution

Strong Hold, in collaboration with Production Tool Systems, customized a solution tailored to the plant’s specific needs, encompassing extreme-duty cabinets, double shift lockers, and a custom-built worktable.

• Extreme Duty 12 Gauge Cabinets: Strong Hold’s 12 Gauge Cabinets were strategically placed throughout the plant to provide durable, secure storage for tools and equipment. These cabinets allowed Komatsu employees to organize and access their tools easily, enhancing operational efficiency. The heavy-duty construction ensured they could withstand the demanding conditions of a busy assembly line, providing both security and longevity.
• Extreme Duty 12 Gauge Double Shift Cabinets: To address the need for personal storage, Komatsu selected Strong Hold’s Double Shift Cabinets. These cabinets feature a steel divider and the ability to lock both doors independently, enabling employees to store personal items securely within their work area. The setup also promoted a safer workspace by reducing clutter, allowing workers to focus on their tasks without worrying about personal belongings.
• Custom Ergonomic Work Table: Strong Hold’s engineering team designed a custom work table specifically for the hydraulic fluid tank assembly process. Made from 7-gauge steel, the table was built with strength and stability in mind, capable of supporting multiple 500+ pound tanks simultaneously. Positioned at 24 inches off the ground, the table allowed employees to easily reach inside and around the tanks without excessive bending or strain, improving ergonomics and minimizing the risk of injury.

Implementation

Production Tool Systems coordinated with Strong Hold to facilitate the delivery and installation of the cabinets and custom work table. Strong Hold worked closely with Komatsu to ensure each solution was tailored precisely to their operational needs, completing the project on schedule with minimal disruption to the assembly line.

Results

Komatsu quickly experienced the benefits of Strong Hold’s storage and ergonomic solutions:

• Enhanced Efficiency: The extreme-duty cabinets provided Komatsu employees with well-organized, secure storage for their tools, cutting down on time spent searching for equipment and increasing overall productivity.
• Improved Worker Well-Being: The ergonomic custom table significantly reduced the physical strain involved in assembling hydraulic fluid tanks. Workers reported greater comfort and efficiency when accessing the tanks, which allowed them to focus on precision and speed.
• Secure Personal Storage: The Double Shift Cabinets served as practical and accessible lockers, ensuring personal belongings were kept safe. This enhanced both security and convenience, promoting a more focused, less cluttered work environment.

Long-Term Durability: Strong Hold’s robust construction ensured that both cabinets and the custom work table would endure heavy use and maintain performance over time, meeting Komatsu’s long-term needs.

Key Takeaways

This case study highlights the effectiveness of Strong Hold’s approach to solving unique challenges in high-demand manufacturing environments. By working closely with Komatsu and Production Tool Systems, Strong Hold delivered a suite of storage and ergonomic solutions that enhanced productivity, improved employee experience, and secured tools and personal items in a busy plant setting.

Key insights include:

• Custom Solutions for Unique Challenges: Strong Hold’s ability to design custom solutions—such as the 7-gauge steel work table—demonstrates its flexibility and commitment to meeting specific client needs.
• Security and Organization: Providing both secure tool storage and personal lockers improves operational efficiency and promotes a more organized, focused work environment.
• Ergonomics Matter: Thoughtfully designed ergonomic solutions reduce physical strain, making tasks easier and safer for employees, which ultimately supports a more efficient production process.

Conclusion

Through this project, Strong Hold once again demonstrated its ability to deliver both standard and custom storage solutions tailored to unique industrial challenges. Komatsu’s partnership with Strong Hold and Production Tool Systems underscored the value of collaboration in meeting client-specific needs, creating a work environment that is both efficient and employee-friendly.

Komatsu’s choice of Strong Hold products for this critical aspect of their assembly line further validates the importance of durability, security, and ergonomics in today’s industrial workplaces. Strong Hold is proud to have played a part in enhancing the productivity and well-being of Komatsu’s dedicated workforce.