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“Building Quality Associates Through A Unique Learning Environment”

This is the mission statement of the newly established Transmission DOJO at JASPER’s Crawford County facility.  Although it’s been operational for over a year, the DOJO has undergone a facelift to better serve our customers, and our Associates.

Just what is a DOJO? Good question!  The DOJO is an off-line learning center designed to provide new and existing Associates the opportunity to learn not only about their job, but also the skills necessary to STRIVE and THRIVE in the JASPER culture.  In addition, the DOJO is used for specialized quality training, as well as re-certification training.  Led by Master Instructor, Lauralee Peppers, Associates are able to learn a process in a one-on-one environment, away from the distractions of the production area.  Associates follow a standard curriculum.  Because the training is one-on-one, JASPER can provide a specialized learning experience specific to individual’s needs.

During the first two weeks, Associates will learn:

• Disassembly, Sub-Assembly and Final Assembly       
• Basic Transmission 101
• Safety Requirements/JSA
• All parts for the specific transmission by name and function
• All tools to perform the job by name and function
• History and Culture of Jasper Engines and Transmissions
• Quality Objectives
• Tour of department and product flow
• Job Instruction Training
• Basic elements of the Jasper Production System (JPS), including:
• - Philosophy
• - 5S
• - Standard Work
• - 8 Wastes
• - Problem Solving/A3
• Continuous Improvement Program
• All computer functions
• And much, much more

As in any classroom, Associates are also given homework, pop quizzes and go on in-house field trips to better enhance the learning experience.  In the Associates’ third week, they focus on the specific job for which they were hired.  They also work toward meeting cycle times.  In addition, some Associates are moved to a transmission POD, within the production area, to give them more of a “real life” experience.  Throughout the DOJO experience, Associates are encouraged not only to Do It Right, but to Have Fun, as well.  This is evidenced by the requirements for graduation from the DOJO.

Before moving onto a full-time role, Associates will be expected to accomplish the following:

• Must be able to repeatedly perform the process, based on the standard work
• Must be able to train another Associate on the process
• Must pass a written general knowledge, parts and standard work test
• Must complete a book review on “Joe’s Garage”
• Must complete a technical research question
• Must complete a JPS skills check-off list and display application of learning
• Must submit a minimum of two (2) Continuous Improvement ideas

Once an Associate completes these steps, they can proudly say, “I Got My MOJO at the DOJO.”

Jasper Engines and Transmissions will once again be exhibiting at the ATRA Powertrain Expo at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas November 1-2. JASPER’s booth numbers are 415 and 514.  ATRA is the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association.

Event hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 1 and 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Monday, November 2.

For your convenience,  please find the FREE trade show floor pass below.

Chip Temple’s first major fishing tournament is one he will never forget. Temple hooked, battled and helped reel in a 714.7-pound, 121.5-inch blue marlin to help the crew of the “Jasper Time” shatter the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic record. The marlin beat out the previous record of 692.6 pounds set in 2006 and far outpaced the 566.8 pound average for the tourney winner. Wallace said the 60-foot Hatteras “Jasper Time” was almost 130 miles into the Gulf of Mexico when they finally hooked the marlin at about 1:30 p.m. on June 19th. With Temple all but locked into his position, he endured an eight-hour battle with the marlin before the crew finally hauled it in at about 9:30 p.m. The record-setting catch cruised to first place and will earn the crew at least $325,000 in prize money. The 67-boat event carried a total purse of $1.3 million.

The team consisted of (pictured left to right): angler Chip Temple, mate Ed Gobel, captain Tommy Braden, mate Matt Pearson and boat owner Mark Wallace.

Jasper Engines & Transmissions is in the process of relocating its Jasper Innovative Solutions (JIS) warehouse operations to the Crawford County, Indiana, facility.   JIS is a sister company to JASPER, and a supplier of vehicle parts to the United States Postal Service Vehicle Maintenance Facilities (VMF’s).  The JIS warehouse is making the move from Willow Grove, Pennsylavania, while the JIS Customer Service and Sales Staff will remain in Bristol, Pennsylavania.

JIS spent a couple of months looking at other warehouses in the Philadelphia area, and all would have precipitated some sort of move.  “We looked at getting closer to JASPER’s Hub to allow faster delivery to areas in the South and West,” says JIS General Manager Luke Bawel.  “Due to Lean Management and JPS improvements at the Jasper, Indiana, and Willow Springs, Missouri, facilities, they have been able to free up 40,000 square feet at the Crawford Facility for our needs.”

With JIS relocating to the Crawford Facility, all VMFs in the Western and Southern United States will benefit by having delivery one day earlier.  All East Coast and Midwest VMFs will keep their same delivery times.  The larger space accommodated by the Crawford facility allows for much greater availability, both in breadth and depth of parts, including drive line, chassis and body parts for the ever-growing USPS fleet.

“We have a great team out here and they have been a true joy to work alongside over the past eight months,” added Bawel. “You couldn’t ask for a better group of people to make you feel at home in a new city.”

The JASPER Rolling Showcase will be joining the DuPont Hot Hues 10th Anniversary edition of the Syracuse Nationals, on July 17-19, 2009.   Enjoy the day with 6800 custom street rods and classic cars, 300 vendors, craft shows, prizes, swap meet and nighttime grandstand entertainment.  Stop by the JASPER exhibit and check out our new product displays, informative videos and network video game racing.  If you have any questions about our products or reviving your ride, feel free to ask one of our friendly representatives.  Come visit us this weekend at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse for the largest classic car show in the northeast!  See show details at www.rightcoastcars.com

We are excited to announce the unveiling of our new and improved corporate website, www.jasperengines.com. As a result of meticulous and creative collaboration, the site features a fresh new look and feel with cutting-edge technology. Each landing page creates a more personal mood, with large illustrations at the top and user-friendly navigation at the bottom. The result is something that is welcoming to new visitors, while at the same time familiar to our repeat customers. Newly-designed flash content and streaming video add depth and entertainment to provide the user with information to make an informative decision about our products. Newly released corporate videos will be available for download, as well as a virtual tour. Customers will be able to register their products on-line and participate in promotional offers, such as the “Tell A Friend” program. A blog has been added to create and maintain social interactions with our customers concerning events, news releases and more. We think that your experience on our site will be exciting and memorable, so check it out and spread the word today!

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